Phew!

The manuscript is back to the editor, and Blackthorne takes another step toward becoming a real book. So, post-deadline, I spent a lot of time either sleeping or watching TV. Most of that TV time was spent on two series. The first was Madam Secretary.

I know I've talked about this show before, but I'm finally caught up with the current season, and I have to say it's amazing. All of the characters are fun to cheer on. The show is an excellent example of Ethical Folks being smart and (for the most part) winning out over the non-ethical. Seriously, Elizabeth McCord a political MacGyver. (Only far more plausible.) I love seeing a woman in that role. The last time I saw a woman being an extremely intelligent lead without a man taking over that lead was in 1987. (see Black Widow.) I had no idea how important it was for me to see that until I started feeling the effect it had on my perspective on my own characters. One of the main reasons these kinds of stories are so important is that it's more difficult to see past the standard patterns without some proof that alternatives are possible.

I'm going to quote one of my favorite authors, Terry Pratchett, because he had an interesting point of view on story. “Find the story, Granny Weatherwax always said. She believed that the world was full of story shapes. If you let them, they controlled you. But if you studied them, if you found out about them... you could use them, you could change them.” (from Witches Abroad) The more I write, the more I believe that's true. It's why stereotypes are so harmful. They're connected to bigotry. And bigotry leads to hate. Writers have to think past stereotypes. It's our duty. Interestingly enough, it doesn't take all that much to break the pattern. We all make this journey one step at a time, after all. However, if no one takes that initial move, then it makes it harder for everyone else.

Anyway, Madam Secretary has been a healing salve on the pain I've been feeling since the election. I'm so glad it's out there and still running. Another show that I've been loving for similar reasons? Scandal.

This is one that has been recommended to me by various people I know, and I'm glad they did. I'm two episodes in. There's some telling and not showing going on. (I can't help thinking of Warf screaming "I am Klingon!" every time someone says Olivia is a white hat. I kind of want to discover that for myself, you know?) I hate the president in this series. Hate. But then I can't help thinking her relationship with him (as much as it makes me want to scream at the president and see Olivia actually punch him in the face) is symbolically appropriate. And then my brain goes to how the whole show goes right along with black women fixing the big problems and not getting any credit for it. I see that as fitting too. Anyway, I'm continuing with it. Catching up will take a while. They're on season six.

I hope you have a lovely weekend. Thanks for being patient with me.