Paul to Lisa: As you can attest, Kathy isn't a token female; she represents many women who love hunting and fishing.
Paul -- I just want to say that it wasn't because Kathy loves hunting and fishing that I thought initially that she might be "a token female" -- not particularly as a game warden, but as a female game warden in the story at hand. I worked in a "man's world" at the time I entered it myself. There was just something that I can't adequately put words to in the initial exchanges with Mike that seemed contrived or almost stereotypical or a trifle overdone rather than "real," although I recognized that "real" was what you were after as a writer. As I said, I modified my initial reaction later and I have appreciated your comments about her continuing, perhaps expanded, role in the series. (Interestingly, I had none of those reactions about the game warden in Eternal on the Water, perhaps because of the role in which she was positioned. But, I did/do have reservations about whether her depiction there would be true to the actions of an officer sworn to certain responsibilities.)
I really wanted to post today to share this blurb that came in my email from my local library and to ask whether you know this author or her husband (deceased). Perhaps you have even already featured her in one of your newsletters -- I didn't check.
Marriage and Other Acts of Charity by Kate Braestrup.
"In her first book, the bestselling Here If You Need Me, Maine Warden Service chaplain Kate Braestrup told the story of how her husband's death inspired her to join the clergy. In Marriage and Other Acts of Charity, the twice-married, once-widowed Unitarian minister reflects on the institution of marriage and the role of God in modern relationships. Offering wisdom gained from her own experiences, Braestrup discusses the different kinds of love, the challenges couples face, and coming to terms with the end of a relationship. Kirkus Reviews calls this book 'nonpreachy, a bit earthy and full of life and love.'"
PS -- If Lisa traps squirrels from attics, I wish I had her as a neighbor with whom I could barter favors. I can't even get an exterminator to be successful!
Peppermill wrote:
Paul to Lisa: As you can attest, Kathy isn't a token female; she represents many women who love hunting and fishing.
Paul -- I just want to say that it wasn't because Kathy loves hunting and fishing that I thought initially that she might be "a token female" -- not particularly as a game warden, but as a female game warden in the story at hand. I worked in a "man's world" at the time I entered it myself. There was just something that I can't adequately put words to in the initial exchanges with Mike that seemed contrived or almost stereotypical or a trifle overdone rather than "real," although I recognized that "real" was what you were after as a writer. As I said, I modified my initial reaction later and I have appreciated your comments about her continuing, perhaps expanded, role in the series. (Interestingly, I had none of those reactions about the game warden in Eternal on the Water, perhaps because of the role in which she was positioned. But, I did/do have reservations about whether her depiction there would be true to the actions of an officer sworn to certain responsibilities.)
I really wanted to post today to share this blurb that came in my email from my local library and to ask whether you know this author or her husband (deceased). Perhaps you have even already featured her in one of your newsletters -- I didn't check.
Marriage and Other Acts of Charity by Kate Braestrup.
"In her first book, the bestselling Here If You Need Me, Maine Warden Service chaplain Kate Braestrup told the story of how her husband's death inspired her to join the clergy. In Marriage and Other Acts of Charity, the twice-married, once-widowed Unitarian minister reflects on the institution of marriage and the role of God in modern relationships. Offering wisdom gained from her own experiences, Braestrup discusses the different kinds of love, the challenges couples face, and coming to terms with the end of a relationship. Kirkus Reviews calls this book 'nonpreachy, a bit earthy and full of life and love.'"
PS -- If Lisa traps squirrels from attics, I wish I had her as a neighbor with whom I could barter favors. I can't even get an exterminator to be successful!
Hi Pepper,
I appreciate your input about those initial conversations between Mike and Kathy. It's really interesting to think about the idea of how a woman who enters a "man's" profession has to modify her speech and mannerisms. I myself have had women supervisors (in fact I had one myself when I was 24, I just realized), but we weren't working in a field like law enforcement that's traditionally been dominated by men. And we never had soul-baring conversations that might have helped inform the writing of those scenes. I'm just glad Kathy eventually gelled for you as a character.
I actually know Kate Braestrup (she lives in the next town over) and am a great fan of her work. I first met her when she and her late husband moved to Maine, in fact. And we just bumped into each other a few months ago at the Maine game warden's Christmas party, of all places. She's a wonderful person.
Paul
