Guest Post: Why My Heroines Have the Right to be Awkward by Louisa Klein

WHY MY HEROINES HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE AWKWARD by Louisa Klein

In 2010, when I started writing down ideas for what would have become the first book in my urban fantasy series, all I knew, was that it would feature a boy turning into some dark tree. I knew it, because I had dreamt it: had actually a pretty clear dream about it, with very vivid images. I had no idea who would stop said child to transform, who my hero would be.

All I knew, was that I wanted someone flawed and with some issues. Practically since birth, my MC would have had supernatural powers no one could explain and had to deal with monsters, hence the above issues. My character also had a weird sense of humour and, well, was a GIRL. I grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and reading Spider Man so, my idea was to have a kick-ass girl like Buffy with a sort of Spider Man sense of humour.

Problem was that girls nowadays are supposed to be all love and feelings, to want baaaaabies with guys they’ve just met. They’re not supposed to have issues with emotions and, God forbid!, a sense of humour. All these traits belongs to men, not women, right? So writing about a girl like that was hopeless, right? Right. Everyone told me that. My friends told me. My beta-readers told me. If I wanted to showcase such a MC on my book, it had to be male. No one had ever written about a girl like that. BUT I WANTED A GIRL! Robyn was so alive in my head, felt so real, somehow, I couldn’t ‘kill her’ in favour of a man. Plus, every time I tried to write about a man, nothing came out. Suddenly, the story felt all wrong. I was really torn, until one day I woke up and had an epiphany and told myself “Screw everyone, write about what you care about!” and I did. And magically, all the problems were gone and the whole book poured out of my pen in only a few months.

SUPERNATURAL FREAK was released at the end of 2012. What happened? Well, it happened that people liked it. I got lots of emails, and reviews, from girls who could totally relate to my MC, who were as introverted and as nerdish as Robyn. Who had doubts and insecurities to deal with. I also had shining reviews from male readers who could totally relate to Robyn as a person.

In the last two years, I stumbled upon other artists and authors who were fed-up with stereotypes and wanted, like me, showcase female characters with a more original and more REALISTIC personality: S.M Reine, Heather Dixon and, surprise! Laurence MacNaughton (it’s not a pen name, yes, he’s a MALE author talking about women with non-stereotypical personalities). Then there’s the wonderfully talented cartoonist Sarah Andersen is trying to deliver the same message with her, again, VERY successful comics about an awkward, clumsy, funny, introverted girl (who’s also happens to be very smart, by the way).

I only hope there will be more of us, in the near future. More authors and artists claiming the right of women to be insecure, awkward, childish, humorous, afraid of feelings or confused by them.

I’m so glad that so many young women felt kind of supported by my writing. That they felt it was OK to be confused, awkward, clumsy, introverted, and insecure.

So, if you feel like you’re a not good enough girl/woman, only because you fit my description, please STOP. You’re more than good enough. Because you’re you own person and being yourself pays off. It does long-term, at least. We’re human, exactly like men and not that different. We’re just forced to pretend we are. Some of us, at least.

Title: Supernatural Fog (Book 2)

Author: Louisa Klein

Blurb: 1) Learn how to use your new powers;

2) Find the other spirits;

3) Keep up with the training;

4) Defeat the Dark Cloud;

5) Don’t you ever, EVER fall in love with your best friend.

Yeah, easier said than done. Supernatural Freak Robyn Wise is, well, freaking out.

She’s trying to adjust to her new life as the Spirit of the Cat’s incarnation. But with little success. She cannot find the other animal spirits who are supposed to help her, nor can she master the tricky art of telekinesis.

And then there’s James, her wizard best friend. They kissed in a moment of passion, right after she had slayed a powerful infernal monster.

After that, being around James awakens a range of emotions she’s really not eager to analyse. She just wants to be back to normal, to be friends again. Trouble is, it’s not that easy.

Especially when a mysterious Fog attacks London and the city’s survival depends on she teaming up with James. But it’s not a big deal, right? They can totally keep things friendly and professional, right? Right? RIGHT?

About the Author

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