How to Avoid Gender Pronouns in Your Writing

Photo by melschmitz Yesterday I began working on my submission for the Feminist Utopia Project (deadline: July 15th) and now I have some serious heartache. My vision is to write a world that has moved beyond our current language heavily steeped in gender binary. But how the heck do I use new pronouns without completely confusing the reader?… Read More

N.K. Jemisin’s Hundred Thousand Kingdoms – OMG I love Sieh

I was inspired to read “the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms” after hearing the title repeated over and over again at this year’s WisCon. The tipping point for me was N.K. Jemisin’s guest of honor speech (which you need to read). She is a powerful speaker and a powerful woman, and I knew I had to get my hands on… Read More

The Writer’s Reality

Minnesota is soggy today. Rain pitter patters on the roof top and my cats sit on the windowsill watching the water dripping down. It is a quintessentially perfect day to get some writing done. Bring on the words! Oh, but wait! There is a week’s worth of laundry to do… And groceries to get… And… Read More

SFF + Feminism + Happiness = WISCON

WisCon is the world’s leading Feminist Science Fiction Convention – and now I know why! The schedule was packed with events ranging from “How to Ally“, to “Female Sexuality in Rhoda Broughton’s Twilight Stories”, to getting your face painted and watching episodes of Jem until 3 in the morning. But don’t take my word for… Read More

Three Minutes in 5th Grade

“You look like winter.” a man’s voice said. We pressed our ears against the thin wallpapered sheet rock separating the hotel rooms, trying to imagine the unimaginable. The sound of sheets moving and the squeak of mattress springs made us look at one another with wide eyes. Jackpot! Jimmy started snickering, but a shoulder punch… Read More

“Historically Accurate Fantasy” Is An Oxymoron

I have never felt comfortable with the “but it’s historically accurate” defense when faced with blatant sexism in my favorite books, movies, TV shows, Anime, etc. However, I also never felt like I had a good response to the excuse. I have a very real, very physical reaction to seeing things that are hurtful toward women. They flow directly through… Read More