In Defense of Mai: Fandom Misperceptions and Answers to Her Detractors

May. 3rd, 2012 01:14 am
ljwrites: A typewriter with multicolored butterflies on it. (mai)
This was originally part of the Fire Nation culture essay, but it was off topic enough that I decided to expand it into an essay of its own. 

( If you're going to hate her, for the love of God hate her for the right reasons. )

In sum: It's perfectly fine to hate Mai. I just wish people would hate the character Mai who was actually in this show called Avatar: The Last Airbender, and not the imaginary show that was cancelled after Book 2. There are valid reasons to dislike Mai, but "cold and uncaring" and "lazy and whiny" are not two of them.
Tags:
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

Current and Future Fanfic Projects

Jul. 7th, 2011 09:17 am
ljwrites: A typewriter with multicolored butterflies on it. (cute)
Since things keep slipping my mind, I thought I'd make a list. This way hopefully I'll be shamed into writing. :)

Current:

Shadow of the Dragon King - My mega-long political drama leading up to the ill-fated war meeting and Zuko's exile. So seriously procrastinating on this; will start editing the newest chapter today for upload.

Everybody Loves Ty Lee - A series of short stories that all involve Ty Lee. This is my "break fic," the one that's my go-to when I want to get away from writing other stuff, but of course I'm procrastinating on this, too. Sigh.

Future: 

King and Lord (working title) - Inspired by FairLadyZ2005's story Kings' Crossing, I want to expand the parallels between Zuko and Kuei into a short three-parter. I need to research the symptoms of PTSD and Qing palace ceremonies for this one.

To Steal a Bride - Inspired by discussions with FLZ about a possible Iroh/Xian wedding story, since the two are married by the time of Iroh Meets His Match. (Incidentally, the "match" in the title is not his wife.) To Steal a Bride will be about Aang ritually bride-napping Katara. I posted the results of the research for this story on Eskimo bride capture here.

Scorned (working title) - This is about Mai breaking up with Zuko post-series. Inspired by a discussion with Kimberly T. about her story A Zutara is Worth a Thousand Words. I came to realize I can't really conceptualize Mai apart from Zuko and decided to remedy that. In some ways it explores the same theme as Amy Raine's Prisons of Choice, and revolves around Mai making a different choice. The Firelady in Scorned might or might not be Katara, but it won't matter since I'm not going to give her a name; a small act of karmic balance to all those Zutara stories where Mai is shipped out on a bus never to be seen again. :P
Tags:
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

Zutara vs. The Canon Pairings: Which is Better? (Zutara vs. The Canon Pairings, 3/3)

May. 15th, 2011 05:11 pm
ljwrites: A typewriter with multicolored butterflies on it. (Default)
Which is "Better?" Evaluating the Conceptions of Romance
 
So in previous essays I have detailed the appeal of the Katara/Zuko parinigs and the appeal of the conflicting canon pairings, Aang/Katara and Mai/Zuko. I argued that the appeal of "Zutara" was based on the drama and conflict that arose from two very different individuals becoming partners, while the appeal of the canon pairings was based on that of a stable relationship based on shared goals and life views, where the differences complemented each other and conflicts are resolved through communication and mutual trust.
 
 
( So who wins? Drumroll, please... )
 
Tags:
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

The Appeal of Kataang and Maiko (Zutara vs. The Canon Pairings, 2/3)

May. 14th, 2011 12:23 am
ljwrites: A typewriter with multicolored butterflies on it. (Default)
Romance Should Be Comforting: The "Comfort" View of Romance
 
 
Lust is easy. Love is hard. Like is most important.
- Carl Reiner
 
 
At San Diego Comic Con 2008, Avatar creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko aired a short film/slide show composed of mostly Zutaran fan art, poking fun at the the idea of Zutara and giving airtime to some other pairings, too. It was the joke short Avatar Book 4: Air, Chapter 1: Forbidden Love, and if you have not seen the epic awesomeness that is the video then you must. (Please be aware some of the pictures are a little racy and might not be safe for work. Also, if you have your sound up, it's very noisy!) 
 
( I was particularly intrigued when Sokka showed up and basically said that Zutarans are doomed to failed relationships. )
 
Tags:
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

Two Realizations: Extended Fanfic Notes

Apr. 26th, 2011 08:52 pm
ljwrites: A typewriter with multicolored butterflies on it. (Default)
I have the best boyfriend in the world. How do I know? He's the one who got me hooked on Avatar: The Last Airbender. I ended up getting way, way more into it than he ever did, but he was the one who got me started by introducing me to the show.

A few months ago, I had not finished Book 2 yet when I searched for relatively spoiler-safe Avatar posts and noticed a strange word, "Zutara." I put two and two together and realized that there were people who shipped Katara and Zuko. Evidently a lot of them. I called the boyfriend and reported this amazing fact, and he burst out laughing.
 
( "Yeah," he said. "There was a little something between them." )
 
Tags:
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

Reasons I Love Avatar 2: Relationships (Part 2 of 2)

Apr. 14th, 2011 03:56 pm
ljwrites: A typewriter with multicolored butterflies on it. (Default)
In the first part of the post on relationships in Avatar: The Last Airbender, I discussed how relationships played a role in the change and growth of Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph. I continue and conclude the discussion with a great deal on Zuko and Mai, and a bit on Azula and Ty Lee.

( Reason 2: Relationships (definitely hazardous to Zutarans) )

So what do you think? Agree? Disagree? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Tags:
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry