Why I Like Warrior-women in My Fiction

It is common knowledge in the academic world that people like to learn about their communities, which is why you see so many gender and ethnic study classes. What this common knowldege doesn’t explain is people who are so interested in sci-fi and fantasy. What is it about these genres that spark interest?

It might look like I am already off-subject, but I’m still trying to understand why I have this need to dabble in fantasy as a reader and writer. But, even more if you put a strong female in a fantasy genre, who is a little stubborn and is making her own path, I am right there pulling out my credit card and buying the book. If you saw my credit card statement you’d be amazed that I have read every Laurell K Hamilton’s and Charlaine Harris’ vampire series.

Let’s get that Nurture argument out of the way

As a young girl I needed some escape from the constant cleaning and cooking that comprised an eldest child in a large family. It was after I turned twelve that I started reading Andre Norton’s Witch World series. My parents were not interested in what I read as long as I kept the word “witch” hidden from them. Magic and witchcraft had no place in our family and was considered evil.

What attracted me to the books, were the plots. It would usually start with a young boy or girl who was entirely different from the rest of their family. Then some there would be some incident that made the young boy or girl run away into an even more dangerous situation. But, at the end they were able to find a safe place with friends aftering conquering evil.

The runaway part was very attractive to me at that time. But, I knew that I didn’t have enough of anything to manage the consequences of running away. I would have to wait until I grew up.

Let’s get that Nature argument out of the way

My genealogy heritage in two major lines goes to the Vikings.

Both of my parents like to move and when I was young they moved a lot. Until I became ill with a vasculitis disease, I was also on the move – first with the Navy, and second as a contractor to the military. I still get that need to move even though I don’t have the energy.

What’s in a name

Now here is where all of you non-mystics may want to turn off and skip to the next sub-heading. My name came to me from two of my great-great-grandmothers, who were both really strong pioneer women. Plus my first name Cynthia comes from the Diana, who lives on Mt. Cynthus. This roman goddess is a huntress of the moon. She helps women in childbirth and other women issues.

Of course, the moon is accused of causing lunacy and is also a factor in creativity.

Goals and ambitions

It was Anne McCaffrey’s Pern Novel series that jolted me out of the good girl syndrome. Lessa, a member of the royal family, living as a scullery maid. She is picked to be a companion to a Queen dragon, who is getting ready to hatch.

At the time I read the book I was almost twenty and I was still trapped as housekeeper and cook in a family that had grown to eleven. After reading the book I wrote down my first goals in making my life better. These goals included travel, a college degree, and a good job. I wanted to live my life instead of having my life lived for me.

Why I like warrior-women

So it was through this beginning that I learned that I had that fierceness in my own soul. I found that I really enjoyed learning karate. I learned that I liked being in the Navy. And my bossiness was an asset. My reading has changed somewhat. I am not reading about young people who change the course of their lives. I am now reading about women who are in the middle of their stories, protecting their families, and living productive lives.

Soon I would like to write about a warrior-woman who is getting ready to retire from the fight. Who can show her scars to the next generation and prepare them for living. It is the natural sequence of events after all.