What do you think?

[wyld_dandelyon]

So, the editor of the Warrior Wisewoman anthology, in the submission guidelines, says, “I am looking for stories that shed light on the truth of what it means to be female…”

This got me thinking, because the grammar (“the truth”) suggests that the editor is looking for a universal answer to this question; I am, in general, dubious about “universal” when we all have different life circumstances, and even basic things like “how it feels to be pregnant” vary greatly from person to person and even from pregnancy to pregnancy in the same woman.

Still, I know what it means to me to be female – or at least, what it has meant at various points in my life. Or do I? Maybe I just know what it has meant to be me in my particular circumstances in a world that treats females differently than males…

What do you folks think? What does it mean to be female? What does it mean to be male? Do you have opinions on what it means to be the gender you’re not? Is this universal, or do you think your answer would be different if you lived (for instance) 200 years in the future?

Comments

[smoooom.livejournal.com]

I don't know what it means to be female, I only know what it means to be me. Sometimes I'm not even sure about that. As far as I'm concerned the only "truth" that matters is the one that says be true to who you are.

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

I can certainly agree with that; I don't think most people can be a good "someone else" in any case.

But as to that anthology--would you read an anthology like this, and if so, what would draw you to read a SF anthology that focused on women as warriors and wisewomen?

[smoooom.livejournal.com]

Would I read such an anthology? I rarely read anthologies, I don't like short stories. one like this in particular? no. It seems a little to .... not sure what, feministic? earth mothery? I'm not sure. But mostly I don't do anthologys.

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

More and more, I've found that I'm more likely to strongly enjoy stories by female authors and/or with female protagonists. I'm really not sure why. And there are exceptions. That's probably part of why this question so intrigues me.

I will also admit to hoping that this discussion will spark a story idea for the anthology; I'm pleased with my success, lately, at finishing short stories quickly if I start with a whole story idea, and I figure with practice, this will help me to finish longer works too. But to practice it, I need to have a whole story idea...

Also, I'm tired of doing things like writing a really good trickster song--more than a year after the contest I wanted to write it for had ended. Lately, I've managed to at least write and complete some things for a particular market in time to submit them to that market; another thing I want to get better at.

And also, a good conversation is worthwhile in and of itself. (-: Thanks for joining in.