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starvinbohemianBeen MIA for a bit due to the rapid bombardment of changes and transitions in mine life. I don't do well with change (i.e. transitions), so avoidance was key.
A good transition: I got a job as a volunteer at the Childrens' Services office. They don't pay me, but this job is going to secure me a spot in the MSW program next year. I scored big with this placement because they treat me more like an intern than a volunteer. I've gotten to read case files and shadow social workers during investigations, meetings, visitations, etc. It's been really exciting, though I've been informed that I have no soul/something's wrong with me because I'm excited about this job. Pfft! I'm not a sociopath. I just went into the experience expecting to encounter sad stories and situations. That's kinda what social work is.
Now, for some fandom business.
Sarah Rees Brennan (formerly known in fandom as the illustrious Maya) wrote an interesting essay about how reversing the genders of popular fictional characters reveals how much harsher fans tend to judge female characters as opposed to males.
Quote from section on Harry Potter: "I think people would be less fond of him if he was Harriet Potter. If he was a girl, and she'd had a sad childhood but risen above it, and she'd found fast friends, and been naturally talented at her school's only important sport, and saved the day at least seven times. If she'd had most of the boys in the series fancy her, and mention made of boys following her around admiring her. If the only talent she didn't have was dismissed by her guy friend who did have it. If she was often told by people of her numerous awesome qualities, and was in fact Chosen by Fate to be awesome.
Well, then she'd be just like Harry Potter, but a girl. But I don't think people would like her as much."
I'm inclined to agree. I know I wouldn't care for Harriet Potter. But then again, I don't care much for Harry for these exact reasons. For every Mary Su, there is a dozen Gary Stus wandering around.
Here's another analysis by [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com], wherein she writes about how changing Harry's gender would negate the entire series. Though an interesting read, I mostly disagree with her ideas. For instance, I think "Harriet" would, if anything, incur Petunia's wrath even more than Harry did by further resembling Lily. Nor do I believe Snape would have been any kinder to her than he was to Harry. True, Harry galled him by so closely resembling James, but Harriet would still be James and Lily's kid with all the baggage that comes with. Also, I think Draco would have been just as likely to attempt befriending a female chosen one as a male-- prestige is prestige. Also, Harriet's rejection might have made him even MORE obsessively resentful than he was of Harry because being rejected by a girl would have that extra special layer of sexual rejection on top of plain old regular flavored rejection. Imagine how much of a nuisance he would have been then. Lastly, Harriet would still be Harry-- reckless, Gryffindor personality and all. There's no reason why she wouldn't still find her way onto the Quidditch team or into all those crazy misadventures Harry did. So in essence, I don't believe changing Harry into Harriet would change anything except the popularity of the books. Unfortunately.
A good transition: I got a job as a volunteer at the Childrens' Services office. They don't pay me, but this job is going to secure me a spot in the MSW program next year. I scored big with this placement because they treat me more like an intern than a volunteer. I've gotten to read case files and shadow social workers during investigations, meetings, visitations, etc. It's been really exciting, though I've been informed that I have no soul/something's wrong with me because I'm excited about this job. Pfft! I'm not a sociopath. I just went into the experience expecting to encounter sad stories and situations. That's kinda what social work is.
Now, for some fandom business.
Sarah Rees Brennan (formerly known in fandom as the illustrious Maya) wrote an interesting essay about how reversing the genders of popular fictional characters reveals how much harsher fans tend to judge female characters as opposed to males.
Quote from section on Harry Potter: "I think people would be less fond of him if he was Harriet Potter. If he was a girl, and she'd had a sad childhood but risen above it, and she'd found fast friends, and been naturally talented at her school's only important sport, and saved the day at least seven times. If she'd had most of the boys in the series fancy her, and mention made of boys following her around admiring her. If the only talent she didn't have was dismissed by her guy friend who did have it. If she was often told by people of her numerous awesome qualities, and was in fact Chosen by Fate to be awesome.
Well, then she'd be just like Harry Potter, but a girl. But I don't think people would like her as much."
I'm inclined to agree. I know I wouldn't care for Harriet Potter. But then again, I don't care much for Harry for these exact reasons. For every Mary Su, there is a dozen Gary Stus wandering around.
Here's another analysis by [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com], wherein she writes about how changing Harry's gender would negate the entire series. Though an interesting read, I mostly disagree with her ideas. For instance, I think "Harriet" would, if anything, incur Petunia's wrath even more than Harry did by further resembling Lily. Nor do I believe Snape would have been any kinder to her than he was to Harry. True, Harry galled him by so closely resembling James, but Harriet would still be James and Lily's kid with all the baggage that comes with. Also, I think Draco would have been just as likely to attempt befriending a female chosen one as a male-- prestige is prestige. Also, Harriet's rejection might have made him even MORE obsessively resentful than he was of Harry because being rejected by a girl would have that extra special layer of sexual rejection on top of plain old regular flavored rejection. Imagine how much of a nuisance he would have been then. Lastly, Harriet would still be Harry-- reckless, Gryffindor personality and all. There's no reason why she wouldn't still find her way onto the Quidditch team or into all those crazy misadventures Harry did. So in essence, I don't believe changing Harry into Harriet would change anything except the popularity of the books. Unfortunately.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-01 06:08 am (UTC)Though, I still think she could be really similar, if not an exact mirror, to Harry. For instance, she could still have that self-righteous anger and power without the masculine physicality of it. Similar, but different, because she'd be Harriet instead of Harry. And I could buy Hermione and Harriet as friends with the same "if you say so" shrug that I gave to the Harry/Hermione/Ron friendship.
When does Draco introduce Harry to the idea of revenge?
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-01 06:28 am (UTC)And TBH, I think it's probably Fandom that's made me like Harry. I used to be a Draco girl all the way, and now I really like both, but might even favor Harry.
I think someone ought to re-write the books fanfiction style with Harry as Harriet. Or maybe Hallie or something less... Harriet. I'd be interested to read it.
What would she see in the Mirror of Erisned? That's a really provoking question.
I do have a serious hate on for Hermione, though, so I have a hard time seeing her as very friendly. Well, actually, I like Hermione just fine. I just really dislike that a lot of her actions are really kind of psychotic but Rowling never gives them a second glance. "I permanently scarred at 16 year old girl for tattle-telling tra-la! I imprisoned a woman in a jar for a summer la le le! I erased my parents memories without their consent do de do!" Crazybats Hermione is crazy.
Only, that would be okay if anyone ever noticed it was crazy. You'd think at least Ginny would. She's never bothered to keep her mouth shut to Hermione in any other circumstance. I'd actually like to see that in fic, too. Ginny just being like, "I don't know if I want Hermione keeping the kids...."
And Harry being all, "o.0!?"
And Ginny saying, "That bitch is crazy, and I really don't think our crazy ass kids need the encouragement."
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-01 05:06 pm (UTC)I imagine she'd see her dead parents, just like Harry did. A sad little orphan is a sad little orphan. And maybe she'd be wearing a nice new pair of shoes while she's at it. ;) It is fun to speculate.
Lol, Hermione. All those instances gave me pause, too. Especially the bit where she casually waved off having mind-raped her own parents. But heroes/heroines in epics always get away with doing absolutely horrible things just because they're on the "good" team. It's a double standard that drives me crazy and might be a contributing factor to why I usually end up drifting toward the "bad guys."
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-01 05:19 pm (UTC)Also, do you ever beta?
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-01 05:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-01 06:24 pm (UTC)I'm doing
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-02 06:48 pm (UTC)What's the other fandom/fic? Do you mean that you want to convert that fic into H/D?
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-02 06:59 pm (UTC)And I'm not converting anything for HD Holidays.. It's a gift fest and I have a prompt.I have some ideas but I seriously need a beta because I'm horrible at editing myself. I can't even write if I do.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-02 08:00 pm (UTC)I would be happy to take that editing off your hands. I guess that minor in Professional Editing wasn't a total waste after all!
(no subject)
Date: 2009-09-02 08:08 pm (UTC)My e-mail address is still a.frost@gmail. If you send me yours I can send you the master file of DEQ that I have. I'm not really in any rush on it.
And my deadline for hd holidays is in November, but I'd like to have it done sometime this month so I can make sure it turns out well and also have it britpicked.
Thank you!!