No Wimps Allowed
Posted by Candace Havens in Candace Havens, tags: Alias, Anita Blake, Buffy, Kate Beckinsale, La Femme Nikita, Terminator, True Blood
Earlier this week I interviewed Bill Sanderson for “True Blood.”(My day job is as a TV and Film critic for print and radio.) You guys might know him from his work on “Deadwood” or as part of Larry, Darryl and Darryl on “Newhart.” He’s a lovely character actor, a polite Tennessee boy and he’s become a friend. The last time we chatted he went out and bought my book “Charmed & Dangerous.”
“I really liked the book,” he told me during the interview. “It reminded me a lot of Charlaine Harris’ stuff. I think you should be writing your own TV shows.” This was flattering on several levels. First, that he actually bought the book and had read at least some of it because he knew details. Second that he compared me with one of my favorite authors and third that he actually liked the book. And yes, I’m well aware he was just being sweet but it still made my day.
And If I were really honest, I would tell you that I absolutely would love to write my own TV shows. Someday. I think we could use an infusion of strong female leads in television and film. We have no shortage of tough chicks in books, but we are sadly lacking in TV and film. It’s to the point with me that if a heroine is wimpy or vapid, I turn it off.
I write strong female characters. They may be a little clueless about their love lives, but they can kick butt. When things go to hell, they are right there on the front lines. They often are the ones who swoop in and save the men in their lives. Many times they save the world.
I wondered why I felt so strongly about this, and I realized it’s because I come from a long line of women just like that. My mom and grandmothers are/were the type of women who never backed down and always stuck up for the underdogs of the world.
When I wrote my first book I wanted a heroine who had the fighting skills of Buffy, the humor of Stephanie Plum, the take no prisoner’s attitude of Anita Blake and the vulnerability while still kicking butt of a Sydney Bristow (“Alias”). Bronwyn, the lead in my “Charmed & Dangerous” series, turned out to be all of those things and had her own special brand of magic.
In my new Blaze, my heroine, Mariska, has a big secret. She’s not exactly comfortable with what she has to do, but she does it anyway. Don’t we all, as women, have to do that? We take on situations and do what we must to get the job done. And more often than not we swoop in and save the day.
So how about you, do you have favorite female heroines in TV, film and books? (Funny how there is no lack of strong females in books.) In addition to the ones I previously mentioned, I’m also a big fan of the “Terminator” chicks, old school Linda Hamilton and new school Lena Headey and Summer Glau. Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah on “Chuck”) may play one of my favorite CIA agents ever. But my all-time favorite kick-butt chicks are Kate Beckinsale from the “Underworld” movies and Peta Wilson in “Le Femme Nikita.” As for books, there are too many too mention, but I want to hear all about yours. So tell me…
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I loved the original Terminator and the TV series La Femme Nikita (and the American movie, Point of No Return). I really like Olivia from Fringe. She’s tough with a sliver of vulnerable. And Mary Shannon from In Plain Sight. She is seriously kick ass.
Thanks for the great blog, Candace. Love your books!
Hi Candace! Great post. I love this topic as I COMPLETLY agree with you. There aren’t enough tough chicks on TV. Currently I love Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) on “Law and Order SVU” because she is tough, tenacious and extremely compassionate. I also love Alison Dubois (Patricia Arquette) on “Medium” because she won’t back down – she’s very determined even when it’s dangerous for her – and she’s a lionness when it comes to protecting her family. One of my all time TV female heroines has got to be Xena (Lucy Lawless) I’m so glad that “Xena: Warrior Princess” is still in syndication. She is the ultimate kick butt heroine and she has the “tortured hero” persona that we don’t often see in heroines but more often in heroes – both in books and film/TV. I guess that’s also why I like her best because she goes against type. One final note – William Sanderson is terrific! I love his work. Congrats on your books!
cheers,
Joanna
Oh, I love Bill Sanderson. There’s a scene in one episode of True Blood where he holds up his fingers as if they’re fangs and whispers, “He’s a vampire.” I laughed so hard. It was one of the funniest things I’ve seen.
As for heroines, I really like Jaz Parks in Jennifer Rardin’s novels.
Oh, and of course, Bronwyn. Forgot to mention her.
Hi, Candy!
I’m a fan of your books as well as a member of your YahooGroup.
I, too, enjoy kick-butt heroines. I don’t know the names of the actresses but a few of the heroines I like on TV are Mary of In Plain Sight; Ziva, Kate, and Abby of NCIS; and Brennan and Angela of Bones. While some of the characters aren’t exactly kick-butt and take names later, they still possess the qualities in that they draw a line in the sand (so to speak) and don’t give up until they win over the bad guys.
Good luck with your upcoming release!
~Lauren
I forgot about Bones and Brennan. She’s a tough chick of a whole different nature. Love her!
Hi Candy!
I loved Syndey Bristow. At first, I was turned off by the show b/c I thought that it was ridiculous how may costume changes she went through. I mean, there is a bit of the “I’m eye-candy” aspect to it that pissed me off.
But, she does kick butt and who can argue with that.
Sadly, I’ve ditched many TV shows b/c I didn’t want to deal with the TSTL woman protagonist. It’s insulting… but if you want kick-ass female protagonist.. try Battlestar Gallactica.
It’s over now but there’s always Netflix!
Love ya!
Kick-ass heroines are always good, but I like the ones who can intellectually challenge a man, too, and beat him at his own game. One of my favorite characters who can do this is Christina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy. She’s good at what she does and she has no problem telling male surgeons that and demanding that they take her seriously and give her the opportunity to do what she does best – save lives and perform some really kick-ass surgeries. The best were when her boyfriend, Dr. Burke, was suffering from the after-effects of being shot and she basically performed his surgeries for him, covering up for the fact that he couldn’t do them himself, plus she helped him with his therapy on the side, trying to make him stronger so he could do the surgeries himself again. She is an amazingly layered, flawed character, but she takes no prisoners.
As for books, I’m drawing a blank right now because I have read so many, it’s hard to pick just one. Or two…or three…you get the picture.
Margay
Christina and Margay… Yes to BSG, especially Starbuck. And I never even thought of Christina on Greys. You are exactly right!
I love strong heroines, too–especially if they are a little snarky
And don’t laugh, but I think one of my favorites is Xena, Warrior Princess. That chick kicked some butt and took some names! I grew up watching Wonder Woman and The Bionic Woman, and I also liked Buffy and her gang (especially Willow the Witch, for reasons which I’m sure you understand…tee hee). And on Firefly, I loved the character of Zoe–she was tough enough to stand up to Mal, could kick butt with the best of them, but still loved her husband. I want to be Zoe when I grow up 
I totally agree- the ditsy help me women always make me turn off a movie, or put down a book. I always gravitate toward the romance/ chick lit kind of boooks and movies, but there are those odd movies that I thought I would never like and I realized it is because there are women in them who kick butt and don’t apologize for it. In addition to the Charlaine Harris HBO series, I love the new No. 1 Ladies Detective series on HBO (and liked the books also). The lead women handle themselves and take the direction of their life in their own hands. Even though I am not normally and action movies kind of person, I think that’s why I liked the X-men movies- strong women (even if they are a villian) who aren’t afraid to get dirty and save the world.
As a mom of three girls, I LOVE strong women. Anita Blake is a favorite in this house, as is Stephanie Plum. And in the Regency/ YA department, better suited for my youngest, there’s a book called La Petite Four by Regina Scott in which four debutantes solve a mystery and nail the bad guy! I loved it!
My mom is a very strong woman, too. Very smart, ran her own business for twenty years, fit in a few college classes, and always makes nonexistant time to help others (read: strangers). She’s amazing.
How did I not know you had a Blaze out?
Or is it out yet? Tell me, and I’ll run out and snatch it up today! 
Oh, Deborah, we love Xena too!
Can’t believe I forgot about Wonder Woman and Bionic Woman. Where was my brain!!!! In comic books I also like Joss Whedon’s Fray. I can’t think of the lead’s name but talk about kick butt.
And I’d never heard of La Petite Four. I have to check those out!!!
Can’t believe I forgot about Wonder Woman and Bionic Woman. Where was my brain!!!! In comic books I also like Joss Whedon’s Fray. I can’t think of the lead’s name but talk about kick butt.
And I’d never heard of La Petite Four. I have to check those out!!!
Blaze isn’t out until Feb. 2010.
I’m one of the new kids here.
Hey, February is a great month! Cold, snowy, and perfect for a hot read. I’ll put a sticky note on my calendar.
Zoe from Firefly, absolutely yes. She was amazing. Trinity of the Matrix had just the right amount of vulnerability underlying her kick-buttiness. Any female lead Marjorie Liu writes and Glenna McReynolds. Actually there are a ton to choose from now. Yay, world for getting that.
Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, but most definitely Kate Beckinsale in the Underworld movies!!
I like Kyra Sedgwick in TV’s The Closer – her attitude since she really doesn’t kick butt. Holly Hunter in Saving Grace – mouthy, but she can back it up. Gabrielle Anwar as Fiona on Burn Notice – watch for those weapons!
Eve Dallas from JD Robb’s In Death series.
That’s all I can think of right now! Good post Candace.
Oh, Marcie. I like all of those too!!!
I think the strong heroines are a major component in the evolution of romance books, reflecting if not the world as it is, but the world we wish it was
Women are juggling so much these days, often alone, that yes, we want to believe in romance and love & happily ever after, but we also want role models who can survive and aren’t waiting and pining for that Knight in Shining Armor to rescue us.
Okay, off my soapbox now
Love strong heroines, especially with a sense of humor. Det. Olivia Benson in Law & Order SVU and Det. Lily (oops, can’t remember name) in Cold Case…and Xenia, the Warrior Princess!:-)
Looking forward to reading your latest, Candy!
My fave’s are Eve Dallas, Buffy (of course), the Halliwell sisters, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden (both from my younger days), Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil, The Fifth Element), so many more that I can’t think straight. I have to be honest I just picked up a few of Charlaine Harris’ books. I haven’t read them yet, but they are on my list of books to read… Oh yes, and all the aforemetioned as well!!
I liked Keira Knightley’s character in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. There was a female pirate movie with Geena Davis, Cutthroat Island, but the critics hated it. I liked it, though.
I liked that movie, too–mostly for Geena’s character.
Ripley in Aliens. She’s like the most kick ass ever!
Faith in the Buffy series. She’s an ass kicker, but so broken. Much like River in Firefly.
Mrs. Blue in Undercover Blues (late 80s) who retired from saving the world to be with her husband and have a baby. Only the world doesn’t stop needing her.
Dr. Temperance Brennan on Bones. She is brilliant, top of her field, and possesses enough cold logic to shoot someone in the throat when needed. Plus there’s an awesome backstory there of being abandoned by her parents and raised as a foster child.
Molly Blaine and Red Cap on The Unit. The first is a the wife of a black ops operative. She holds the other wives together and keeps the secrets. The second is an operative in her own right and kicks ass.
Ziva on NCIS. She is a Musad agent. ‘Nough said.
Kristi
In movies – Trinity from the Matrix movies, Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, and Eowyn of Rohan from Lord of the Rings.
In my favorite book – Pagan/Jade in Julie Garwood’s Guardian Angel.
Hi Candace: Love strong heroines! My favourite – Xena Warrior Princess (Lucy Lawless) so glad that show is in syndication – I miss it – wish there were more shows on like it! No one can kick butt like Xena. Very against type – as she’s a “tortured hero-ine”. Fun post!
I can’t stand a wimpy female character either – vulnerability in some way is different to me than wimpy. That makes her human, imo. Funny, I tried to write a wimp once…I’m not sure why I wanted to that but I couldn’t. She made me crazy and I couldn’t stand her! But that was a great lesson for me because it made me realize what I do and don’t like in characters.
As far as my favorite characters, they’ve all already been listed.
Hope it’s a great weekend for everyone!!
I didn’t realize you wrote a Blaze story until today! That is so cool. On a side note, I have really loved stronger heroines like Buffy and your witch in Charmed and Dangerous, but always want to see those women end up with a man who deserves them and is their equal. I still want that alpha male.
I found a really neat author who writes historical romances based on true life women warrior queens. Her name is Haley Elizabeth Garwood.
I loved Holly Hunter in the Firm with her “little crooked mouth” that wasn’t her best feature…I like Olivia Benson too in Law & Order. I’m liking the female in Castle – I think it is a good mix against his character, who steals the show. His daughter is pretty good too!
Congrats on your Blaze. I’ll look for it as well. Like the strong female characters. I come from a long line of strong women who either run things well or mess things up – but we’ve had a lot of fun in the process.
My all time fav is Buffy, but I looove Gabrielle Anwar’s character on Burn Notice. She’s always ready to shoot someone or blow something up.
I also like Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil and Kate Beckinsale in Underworld AND in Van Helsing.
Hi Candy! I’ll take you for a trip in the Wayback Machine
I liked Cagney and Lacy on TV … they were some of the first strong heroines I was aware of. I rarely watch TV now, so I just tuned in to “Castle” for the first time. After one view, I like the woman detective a lot. Other than the heroines already mentioned, I like some of Lori Wilde’s.
Fun topic!
Nancy
I love Kyra Sedgwick from The Closer and Mary from In Plain Sight. Both of those are great strong women. For books I love Eve Dallas (J.D. Robb) and Jazz or Jasmine Tremaine from the 50 Ways series (Linda Wisdom). There are not enough strong women on TV and books are really just now coming out with a great selection.
I’ve been a fan of strong women since pre-school. Unfortunately, back in those ancient times
women were “fainting females” that clung to the mantelpiece while their man was getting his brains bashed in. Even as a 4yr old, I knew that was just plain WRONG. So glad to see this attitude is changing and being reflected in every media. Though, I think the music industry, the last of those dinosaurs, could use an injection of feminine reality.
Now that you’ve expressed your POV about women’s roles in media, I’m even more excited about reading you! Thanks for the great post, Candace!
My first favorite heroine is Allison DuBois from Medium. My second is Melissa Gordon from Ghost Whisperer. I love these scary type stories and these women are amazing!!!
Candy! What a great topic … I love a tough-as-nails heroine, especially if she has a gooey heart inside. Sarah Connor, Ripley, and Brenda from The Closer are all faves of mine. Right now I’m loving Glenn Close as Patty on Damages. She’s not really a heroine, I guess, but she’s such an awesome character.
My husband and I both adore Ziva on NCIS. Tough. Smart. Sexy. Funny
I agree with you about strong women. Imagine my surprise when I recently got an email from a reader accusing me of being prejudice against weak women. It certainly made me think. By writing about strong women am I putting down weak women? I didn’t think so, but the reader sure perceived it that way.
Lori
Hi, Candy,
Enjoyed your blog. I’m taking time from your Fast Draft program to check this out. I read all the comments and they jogged some memories for me. Going way back, I loved the Judy Bolton mysteries. She was a contemporary of Nancy Drew, but I never liked Nancy. Too perfect. Judy had flaws and was more real. She was also smart and fearless. I like Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft and also as Mrs. Smith in the Mr.& Mrs. Smith movie. I loved all three witches on the TV show, “Charmed.” The kick ass heroines I like are ones with doubts and vulnerabilities. Heroines who are too kick ass, too tough, turn me off.
I love Eve Dallas by JD Robb (her husband Roark too lol ) from her “In Death series”I really like Kyra Sedgwick from The Closer and Claire Fraser from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books. But Eve Dallas is my first choice.
Have a great day everyone !
Carol L.
I love Eve Dallas, but I’m stealing Roark and going to marry him!
I love the Charmed series and was glad my local bookstore rec. it.
after reading Charlene Harris I was hooked on that style of writing.
I now cant get enough of the strong independent woman with a mix of
magic , supernatural and humor,thats what makes a woman sexy is her strong
independance.The first book I found that quality was the stephanie plum
character,she is hilarious and has the luck we all seem to posses,male or
female.
Looking foward to the next book in the Charmed series the most.
Thanks
to all the writers whos imaginations allow them to come up with
with these great storys and the publishers that put them out there.
I have to say that a couple of my favorite strong women have been: Buffy and Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Charmed Ones from Charmed, I really like pretty much anything with Milla Jovovich because she seems to gravitate to such films as The Fifth Element and Resident Evil, I also really liked when Gena Davis was going through her action film phase in A League of Their Own, Cutthroat Island, and The Long Kiss Goodnight. I adored Veronica Mars and were very upset when the choice was made to cancel it.
My favorite kick-butt heroine is Maggi Sanger from Evelyn Vaughn’s Bobmshell Grailkeeper series. The first book was called AKA GODDESS and won the Rita. Maggi could open a can of whoop -ass on a villain, but the novel was really a tribute to how women use their feminine strengths to prevail. I love that!
Not to mention the book also had a plot worthy of The DaVinci Code!
I
strong heroines!
Bronwyn is awesome, Michele Bardsley’s heroines, Mercedes Thompson from Patricia Brigg’s books, Lizzie from Angie Fox’s books to name a few.
From TV, Pheobe from Charmed.
Hugs, Danette
My favorite girl is George from Dead Like Me and it was nice to see her develop into a strong person. Althought the series was short lived, it was nice while it lasted.
Jazz Parks from Jennifer Rardin’series also kicks butt. Oh and Cassiel from Rachel Caine’s Undone. Now she is one to watch out for!
My personal favorites are the woman character that are strong, and at the same time still very much real woman. The women of Sex in the City, Lipstick Jungle, the Charmed TV series, and the “Charmed†books. They have style, elegance, and a sense of who they are and what they want. Those are the ones that I emulate. There are not enough professional women role models. Woman that have to compete in a man’s world yet still be feminine, it is a difficult balance. Lots of us know what it takes to be a man, managing finances, business relationships, balancing personal lives and professions. It isn’t easy. These are the characters that I look to read and watch. They inspire me, provide camaraderie. These women give me an opportunity to see how we are viewed. Samantha spoon feeding Carrie in the Sex in the City movie, Samantha doesn’t have a maternal bone in her body, yet she does what the situation requires. Strong woman, especially professionals, are an over looked aspect of our population.
Sydney Bristow was also first to come to my mind, the I remember where her first costume was based on. Run Lola Run! Lola was a strong chick, and she wasn’t going to let anyone stand in the way if her saveing her stupid boyfriend. So, don’t forget the fierce redhead, played by Framke Jansen, Lola!
Hi Candy
I’ve bought all of your books so far (one of them twice because it had a different cover and I didn’t remember the title) and I’ve enjoyed them all. I’ll look for your new Blaze!
One strong female character not mentioned so far is Honor Harrington from the series written by David Weber. He has no whimpy female characters!! Her tree cat is also wonderful. If you like science fiction you might like his work.
Jean
I adorn strong women whether they are saving the world or just taking care of their families. They can be confused and their lives can be a wreck but they can’t be wimps. Loved Xena and Mary from In Plain Sight.
I loved Charmed and Dangerous. I’m a reference librarian and I always request your books be added to our collection. Can’t wait to read your Blazes. They’re my fav category line.
Definitely Nikita of the TV La Femme Nikita. Also, Fiona of Burn Notice. For some reason, Loni Anderson’s dumb blonde “secretarial” role in WKRP just blipped across my mind. And yes, she controlled her guys and proves that the title means nothing. But that was a rabbit trail that I just had to mention. Back to the main thread, I adore Jessica Fletcher of Murder, She Wrote. Not too many months ago, I wondered why I was so drawn to her character and had to stop and dissect it. First, what’s not to like about a writer? I love the intro to each episode with the old manual typewriter. She’s “together.” Her house is always clean, there is always some homemade dessert (which we gather she made herself) to share with Dr. Seth Hazlit (or however you spell it), her clothes are seemingly starched–even to work in the garden, her hair coiffed, her makeup on. There is usually a tea kettle on the stove. I’ve tried to label it. It seems to include homeyness with some old-fashioned values and nettle. Whatever it is, it struck a nerve with me. And proves I appreciate kick-butt ladies, both literal and figurative.
Oh great topic. Too many fav’s. L.K.Hamilton’s – Anita Blake, Keri Arthur’s – Riley Jenson, Eileen Wilks – Lily Yu, Charlaine Harris’ – Harper Connelly, Patricia Briggs – Mercy Thompson, Rachel Caine’s – Joanne Baldwin, Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty, Angie Fox’s – Lizzie Brown, Tanya Huff’s – Vickie Nelson & Storm from the X-Men. There are so many more but I am a poor typist so I’ll stop here.
Oh and Kelley Armstrong’s – Eve & Elena
Looks like all my faves have already been mentioned. Though if you want to go old-school ’60s style, there’s always Diana Rigg as Emma Peel from The Avengers.
I forgot all about Xena! I loved that show!
And I pretty much love all of Angelina Jolie’s action flicks.
I really like Castle, Det. Beckett rocks, and she has no clue to her potential love life either. Also Mary from In Plain Site is pretty awesome too. She has a clue to her love life but is unwilling to commit to it.
Book women: Bronwyn, Sookie, Mercedes, Rachel Morgan, Anita Blake. These women all kick butt, and take names later. There are other leading women in books, but not neccessarily kicking butt so much.
A-freaking-MEN I am exactly the same and when my Mom was sick with cancer and I had to take care of her 24/7 and do everything for her including wiping her butt I though GOD there is NO way I can do this…. but I did and although I hated EVERY minute of it I was glad to make things a little easier for her in the end.
Ter
Hey Candy! The strong women in your books are one of the things I love about them. Bronwen, Kira and both Caruthers Sisters. That’s something that continues with Mar in the Blaze. (Y’all are in for a treat.)
My favorite strong heroines are Nancy Drew ( someone else mentioned her) and Aerin from Hero and the Crown. All Robin Mckinley’s heroines are strong. (Slight YA bias, I guess.
I love all of Robin McKinley’s heroines. But if you want to talk YA–my favorite heroines are in Tamora Pierce’s books. The girl who becomes first a page, then a squire and then a knight, even though only boys can do that? Wow!
There doesn’t seem to be many strong female characters on TV. Ziva from NCIS.
I still miss Sydney Bristow from Alias.
I like the strong heroines in Penny McCall’s books, Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich’s books, and Ziva in NCIS on tv. Oh and I love the character of Bobbie Faye in Toni McGee Causey’s books. Bobbie Faye always has bad days but she has a good attitude along with her strong Southern character.
I loved your Blaze heroine, Candy. Wait, should I admit to having read her for you? And I LOVE her name.
I tend to write scrappy women myself, but one of my fave reads of all time is a new book. A true kick butt heroine is Eve from SJ Day’s (Sylvia Day’s) new series. I would so love to take lessons from her.
As for you writing your own TV Show, how fun would it be for Bronwyn to have her own show? She’d still be clueless, choosing between the warlock and the prince. Aww.
And on that note, back to writing for me. I’d hate to have my fast draft teacher/mentor come hunt me down for slacking. LOL
Dante Valentine from Lilith Saintcrow’s series, and Nadia Stafford from Kelley Armstrong’s are my two current favorites.
There are so many wonderful strong characters in books today, among them Keri Arthur’s Riley Jenson, Charlain Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse, Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan, Ann Aguirre’s Sarantha Jax.
On TV there are quite a few right now, Fiona on Burn Notice, Mary Shannon on In Plain Sight, Holly Hunter in Saving Grace, Ziva in NCIS, Kate Beckett in Castle.
I’ll second Trixie Belden from my younger years (and man, did I have a crush on Jim!).
I was a big fan of Dark Angel, and I’m surprised no one else has mentioned that show yet. I think that show was ahead of it’s time.
OMG, I can’t believe I completely forgot about Dark Angel. I loved that show so much I own the series on DVD. What’s wrong with me???
Oh, me too!
I watch a lot of anime\Japanese animation, and my favorite female heroine is Shuurei from Saiunkoku Monogatari. It’s a reverse harem (one girl, lots of pretty guys) set in a fictional ancient China empire where she becomes the first female court official. So her kicking butt is in terms of smarts, perseverance, and dedication to her dreams.
In the literal kicking-butt category, there are the NOIR girls, the women of the X movie and TV series, and on a subtler level, some of Miyazaki’s heroines such as Nausicaa from Valley of the Wind and San from Princess Mononoke, although Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle is my fav of his strong female leads.
Thanks for the fun discussion!
Anymore I prefer the kick-ass, take-names, scarcastic wit heroine. Lori Handleland’s Nightcreature books, well the first book and the last had two heroines (Jesse and Grace).
Yes, I absolutely loved Xena for she didn’t bend willingly to the males but foraged through.
Lina Inverse from the anime series Slayers is another strong, kick ass and take names sort of girl.
There’s a series on USA that I watched once that I liked the main character. Something to do with the witness protection thing.
Great topic, Candace. I love Ziva from NCIS, and the character of Sara Pezzini from Witchblade.
I tried to reply to you guys from my iPhone today but I wasn’t very successful.
I have to tell you this has been beyond fun. I was sharing your ideas with people at a conference I was at all day.
And my Kindle bill is going to be ginormous thanks to all the book suggestions! You guys also made me think about movies and tv shows I haven’t thought about in a long, long time.
Thanks so much for hanging out with me today.
-Candy
love your ladies u name
i like tin afey
mary from in plain sight
benson form law and order svu
natlie from monk she is tough to me
Hi Candace!! Huge congrats on your upcoming Blaze debut and many more to come! I’ll be looking forward to hearing more about it til its out next year! That seems forever!
I don’t watch much TV, so not much with heroines from TV or movies I can recall.
I do love Cat in Jeaniene Frost’s book HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE (and the hero Bones is to die for-literally, he’s a vamp). I know there are many more but I even consider Lizzy from Pride & Prejudice a strong heroine. She put Darcy in his place
I haven’t read Jeanine Frost yet. I need to pick those up.
And how could I forget Plain Sight and Tina Fey. Shame on me.
Hi Candace! First I have to tell you I am absolutely addicted to your Bronwyn the witch Series… I sort of tripped over Charmed and Dangerous, I had never read anything of yours before now, but had recognized your name from the witchy chicks page, and it sounded interesting, so I picked it up devoured it in two days and have been hooked ever since. Ive spent the last five hours with my nose in Charmed and Ready, and only came out here to stretch, get a drink, and order Charmed and Deadly online. I KNOW i will finish book two tomorrow and be chomping at the bit waiting for the the mailman for the next week
Please tell me youve plans for several more books with Bronwyn!
As for strong women… Im with you guys, I wont watch it or read it, if the heroine is some limp thing that needs rescued. For movies, I like Lara Croft, and Catwoman (Halle Barry) and come to think of it, the new BOND girls kick butt too… (Halle again, as Jinx and others as well) In books, there are sooooooooo many. Off the cuff id say one of my current favorites is Kim Harrison’s Hollows series with Rachel Morgan. loooove those too.
Well anyway just wanted to pop in and tell ya I think your doing a GREAT job… one of the highest compliments I can pay a book is how absolutely real the characters seem. As a reader if I am thinking to myself, Man, who wouldnt want to BE Bronwyn? Youve done an ace job. The best books are those that you just cant seem to stop turning the pages, and yet dread reaching the end, because it means you will have to leave the characers behind.
Cant wait to read more!!!(*)
Kat
Wow! Kat. That’s really sweet. Thank you!
I would love to write more of those books. I have a ton of them in my head but it’s up to the publisher. I do have a new series with The Demon King and I. And my new Blaze book will be out in Feb. 2010. Oh, and Bronwyn’s friend Kira has her own book, Like A Charm.
I should say I love Kim Harrison, and Lara Croft to.
Hi
Just finished book2, and was wondering if you might have considered your character Zoe’s potential? I think she absolutely SCREAMS for a book, or maybe even a series of her own, maybe growing up being tutored by Bron? You might have a YA goldmine with her? (speaking of strong women, that would be great, for young girls to have a strong young female character to look up to?)
This is an unconventional choice, but what about Scarlett O’Hara. Vivian Leigh did a great job in the movie, but Margaret Mitchell’s version was even more tough, conniving, and strangely vulnerable than on screen. She did whatever she had to in order to survive (or to get Ashley to notice her) including shooting a Yankee soldier and hoeing cotton.
And let’s not even start on her fashion sense. She was wearing curtains before they were the next new thing!
In more recent/modern tv — I adore Anna Torv/Agent Dunham on Fringe. That chick is one heck of a shot with a revolver. She never misses. And she got her jerk boss fried, as in scorched, cooked, combusted. Oh, and she’s got her own brand of supernatural abilities.
K
Hi Candace!
I love how you describe Browyn!
And after reading all your books and loving them! I can not wait for your new one! Oooo, Dragons!
A strong herione is one of the things I love about them! Plus the hotties!
So when you going to turn your books into movies? That would be awesome!
As to movies, Underworld, Titanic, Steel Magnolia’s are a few of my fave’s.
As to TV series, Blood Ties (I loved Vicki), Lost’s Kate, House’s Cutty, and Buffy.
Great Blog! Thanks for always keeping us on our toes!