The Right Template for the Job
The perfect pupil for a mentor/pupil relationship, if literary tradition is any indication, fits the following template: Male Well-meaning “Ordinary” looks And it doesn’t hurt… Read More »The Right Template for the Job
literary tropes
How to Recruit a Proper Pupil
I can’t, off the top of my head, think of any mentor characters who go from place to place looking for a pupil. Most mentors… Read More »How to Recruit a Proper Pupil
Disobedience: A Protagonist’s One True Birthright
So. The “Oops! I did exactly what you told me not to do!” plot device. It’s a fairly common catalyst to start a story moving:… Read More »Disobedience: A Protagonist’s One True Birthright
The Three Sworn Duties of an Epic Mentor
Sometimes the Mentor-Pupil relationship comes across more as trolling than education. Don’t get me wrong: I loves me some character manipulation. There should always be a… Read More »The Three Sworn Duties of an Epic Mentor
This Wizened Old Guy Safeguards Life’s Greatest Secrets
True story: in my youth I thought “wizened” meant something along the lines of “imbued with such age-won wisdom that it shows in one’s countenance.”… Read More »This Wizened Old Guy Safeguards Life’s Greatest Secrets
A Small Matter of Priorities
I’ll admit it. I tried the helmet on Prissy. It would have required me to alter her bangs, and that cute little barrette would have… Read More »A Small Matter of Priorities
Cheerleader vs. Psycho: A Battle of the Sexes
Cheerleaders are pretty dang strong. They have to be to accomplish all of the lifts and flips and back handsprings and whatnot. Plus there’s all… Read More »Cheerleader vs. Psycho: A Battle of the Sexes
Sexism in Literary Paradigms: A Heroine’s Lament
Let’s talk about sexism in literature, shall we? *cracks open ginormous Can O’Worms* When was the last time we had a series about a brave,… Read More »Sexism in Literary Paradigms: A Heroine’s Lament
Villain Is as Villain Does
Ah, the One-Dimensional Villain, those Snidely Whiplash clones that populate the Grand Imaginarium where all fictional characters live together. They are mean and evil because… Read More »Villain Is as Villain Does
Pining for the It-Couple
INT. FAMILY ROOM – EVENING DESIRABLE MALE is dating EVIL HARRIDAN. They are the it-couple of their social circle. NOBLE HEROINE waits in the wings,… Read More »Pining for the It-Couple