Heroines

 Hi Everyone,



So first two big announcements. The US paperback release of TIGER'S CURSE will be May 1st and the hardback US release of TIGER'S DESTINY will be September 4th! I will be headed out on tour for both books so don't forget to write my publisher at kids@sterlingpublishing.com if you'd like me to come to a town near you. Remember to add where you think a good location for me to come might be whether that's your school, a library, or a bookstore.

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MY TOP TEN HEROINES OF FILM AND TELEVISION


I wanted to dedicate this blog to my top ten heroines in television and movies. Hint: Two of them played the love interest of Harrison Ford.  So here they are...



#10 YU SHU LIEN


 


Yu Shu Lien portrayed by Michelle Yeoh was a character desperately in love with Li Mu Bai in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. This is one of my favorite movies because not only does it showcase amazing martial arts but the story is so moving. As the two older characters try to help a talented young girl from going down a dark path. they confess their deep love for one another. These two characters connect in such a powerful way that they don't even need to touch for you to feel the depth of their emotion. 



WHAT I LEARNED FROM YU SHU LIEN: Discipline and self-control, while admirable, are no compensation for lost love.
 
#9 DOROTHY GALE


 
 

Dorothy is a young woman on the cusp of adulthood. She opens her heart and shares her journey with unlikely traveling companions and finds lifelong friends. On her way she discovers that what she has been looking for has been in her reach all along.  So many times I've wondered how I would overcome a certain obstacle. When I look back, the problems I faced as a teen or as a young wife seem almost trivial to me now but at the time they were tough. The story of Dorothy reminds me that sometimes the journey through the difficult times is the very thing that makes you strong enough to overcome it.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM DOROTHY: The experience of going through tough times makes you a strong person.




#8 LOIS LANE
 
 
 

I fell head over heels in love with Christopher Reeve as Superman. What is so interesting about Lois is that she's a tough reporter who is very practical when it comes to men and career. She treats Clark like a co-worker and gives him big sisterly advice and then she turns around and hems and haws at Superman. The shift between how these characters react to each other is fascinating and exciting to watch.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM LOIS LANE: Don't get so wrapped up in work that you can't see the guy behind the glasses.




#7 MARION RAVENWOOD
 
 

The first time we meet Marion in the first Indiana Jones film, she's drinking a guy under the table. She's aggressive, obnoxious, and a spitfire. She also takes care of herself.  She doesn't wait for Indiana Jones to come to her rescue but does what she has to do to escape on her own. I like her spunk and her freckles are endearing.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM MARION RAVENWOOD: Don't wait for adventure to come to you.






#6 WONDER WOMAN
 
 
 

Lynda Carter is Wonder Woman to me. She didn't really do anything super incredible stunt-wise on the television show but she was amazing regardless. I practiced spinning in a circle over and over convinced that if I spun fast enough my costume would show up. I like that she was kind and that when she'd give her stern motherly talk to the criminals, they'd listen.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM WONDER WOMAN: A beautiful confident woman lives within every work-a-day girl, she just needs the right motivation to bring her out.






#5 DANA SCULLY
 
 
 

Dana was tough, smart, and could communicate volumes with just a look. She was the Yin to Mulder's Yang on THE X-FILES. The thing I liked about her the most was that she grounded the x-files and Mulder in the real world. She was every computer nerd's fantasy and yet I really liked her and would love to have her as a friend.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM DANA SCULLY: An open mind doesn't mean you have to give up your beliefs.






#4 PRINCESS LEIA
 
 
 

Leia Amidala Skywalker was one of if not the first female heroine to influence me as a tween. I tried to recreate the buns in my hair and practiced putting my hand on my hip and imitated her dry sense of humor. She could wield a blaster with the rest of boys and still had no wisps of hair falling in her face. Even though she was much smaller than him, she stood up to Lord Vader with courage and only showed weakness when he destroyed her home planet. She also strangled Jabba the Hut while sporting a gold bikini. I'd be too busy using my arms to cover my waist. Loved the romance between her and Han Solo.

#WHAT I LEARNED FROM PRINCESS LEIA: Bravely standing your ground can often make bullies back off.






#3 MADDIE HAYES
 
 
 

This woman is beautiful, smart, and funny! There are not too many actresses who can equal Bruce Willis in sarcasm but Cybill Shepherd can. In the television show MOONLIGHTING, her come backs are sharp, her shoulder pads were big, and her hair was always in place. The inspiration for the show was THE TAMING OF THE SHREW which is my favorite Shakespeare play. This show was a big influence for my books. In fact, Kelsey's real mom's name is Madison Hayes.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM MADDIE: Sarcasm can be used very effectively to create romantic tension.






#2 BUFFY SUMMERS
 
 
 

The character Buffy from the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer was so fleshed out. She was a vulnerable hero who made mistakes and yet she still managed to get the job done. When she cried, I cried. When she was confused, so was I. Sarah Michelle Gellar is a terrific actress who really brought life to the part.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM BUFFY: A heroine can be human and vulnerable.






#1 SCARLETT O'HARA
 
 
 

I have watched GONE WITH THE WIND countless times and yet I'm still fascinated with this woman. She starts off a spoiled plantation girl who stomped her feet when she didn't get what she wanted and morphs constantly through the film, always carrying with her an inner core of strength and a determination to get up, dust herself off, and keep fighting. I think she's simply brilliant and I will always admire Vivian Leigh.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM SCARLETT: A heroine never gives up.



Those are my top pics. Leave a comment below to tell me who your favorite heroines are!
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Inspiration Corner
 
Shanthi Guest House
 

There are all kinds of hotels outside of Hampi and many of them are called Shati or Shanthi Guest House but the one that I chose is based on these two pictures. Since I only used the pictures for inspiration, I imagined what it would look like inside. I originally had the Coke sign in the book but we omitted the use of the brand name and changed it into the generic Cola Bottle. I did keep the mint green paint and the flamingo pink trim.

 
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Don't forget that you only have a week left to enter the three contests this month. If you already have the books and are looking to land something new, there are audiobooks available if you win. 



Have a great week and Happy Chinese New Year!

 
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Colleen