You
know, as I look through the list of books coming out at Amazon, I find myself
snickering over the female urban fantasy "tough chick".
1.
Long flowing hair - nothing better to grab in a fight than untamed hair.
Here, Mr. Demon/Succubus/Sta-Puft Marshmallow Man! Let me give you
a handle by which to yank me around and snap my neck! Of course, if it's
tied back, then said heroine can't be pictured in her moonlit alley with hair
gently wafting in a nonexistent breeze (which always makes me think of a wind
machine just off to the side and a director yelling, "Sparkle!").
2.
Speaking of moonlight, do none of these people hold down regular jobs?
They work for so many shadowy, underground paranormal agencies that I'm
starting to think they should unionize. Either that or they are the
"go it alone" types until they meet the really hot
demon/half-demon/had a bad date with a wereturtle they're supposed to
kill/maim/bring in for a bounty/give fashion tips to. Suddenly, it's much
less hunting and a lot more boinking.
2a.
And alleys? Seriously. You know how bad those things smell
and what they're used for? Well, in your world, they're apparently used
for posing hip-shot with your breasts trying desperately to escape your flimsy
tank top (or the ever popular "look over the shoulder" pose) versus
peeing, shooting up, trash disposal, etc.
3.
The tramp stamp. Siddhartha on a hippo, the tramp stamps.
First, thanks for the totally unwanted pictures of y'all's backsides with
the waist of your jeans riding low enough to give me way more information than
I will ever need, but seriously? You guys can't come up with anything
more than a vaguely Celtic-y or Native American-ish tramp stamp to provide some
"authenticity" and "individuality"? I'm starting to
think any application to become a UFTC either has a place to describe your
tramp stamp or you have to sign a form stating you will get one within your
first six months of employment as a UFTC.
4.
The clothes. Why must UFTC's dress like they just got hired at
Hooters? More accurately, the Amish Hooters - long pants required.
Let's see, you're fighting demons, ghosts, and other paranormal things -
many of which are armed. So, when choosing an outfit, let's got for
something that shows miles of skin and provides basically no protection to boot
- I've got it! A tank top and a flimsy pair of "leather" pants.
To finish off the outfit, we'll put on some boots with stiletto heels
because nothin' says I can run like the wind like a five-inch boot heel that is
as big around as a toothpick. If they don't die from falling and breaking
their flipping necks, do the UFTC's have a health plan that includes bunion
surgery? And with the tight pants, please tell me you get coupons for
Monistat.
5.
The ridiculous big swords or guns they hold behind their backs in the
"look over my shoulder" pose. Number one, unless you are
Immortal, there is NO WAY you are going to be able to hide that sword anywhere
that is not going to cause (a) a wardrobe malfunction, (b) serious injury or
(c) some of both. Besides, WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SUBSTITUTES FOR.
Same for the guns, sister.
6.
Please stop bemoaning that you will never fit in with the rest of the
world. You chose this gig. No, saying you were somehow chosen by a
higher power/your Chinese fortune cookie/a prophecy/family lineage doesn't
work. You picked this gig. Stop whining.
7.
Yes, yes, we know. He's a bad boy. You're so conflicted.
Should you trust him? Oh, who cares? Just screw him silly and
then act like a thirteen-year-old girl who needs a Valium the size of a pudding
pop the next time he does something you don't agree with. Rage against
The Man about how he doesn't treat you as an equal in your dangerous world of
demon hunting/ghost chasing/ballroom dance. Pout and write in your diary
when he does something that makes you think he's "gone bad" again.
But for God's sake, never apologize when you find out you're wrong and
his motivations were all good. *He* had nothing to do with it. It
was all down to your magic hoo-hoo.
7a.
And if you're really that untrusting, perhaps a bit of counseling.
Or maybe date a nice accountant.
LOLOL - I've been reading the Anita Blake series (she lives in a world where vampires are citizens & her job is to raise zombies so they can tell their family where they hid the gold). She doesn't really fit most of those above items (except she might have long hair, I'm not sure), but that last one is wearing me out! So you're attracted to the vampire - just go ahead & give in already! As a married woman I just get tired of all that supposed sexual tension.
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