Brisbane Writers Festival and Tara Moss

At the Brisbane Writers Festival this weekend I had the extreme pleasure of attending an event with the inspiring Tara Moss. The event was based around some of the topics she talked about in her non-fiction book, The Fictional Woman.

Of course I read the book prior to the event and absolutely loved it. A lot of things Tara spoke about and shared within its pages resonated with me. So I was very excited to hear her talk on the topic of The Virgin, The Whore, The Witch, and other female tropes that keep popping up in fiction.

After the event, Tara was kind enough to be available for book signings for which I promptly joined the line. After signing my book, and posing for a photo, Tara told me to keep affecting change in fiction. Now that's not a direct quote, I surmised and the reason I did that is because I can't remember her exact words.

Why?

Because the instant she said them I had a moment. A moment where it was as if she had placed a mirror in front of me and showed me something I hadn't noticed. To explain, I need to give a few details.

My day job is with the government,  a male dominated place, in the Information Technology field,  VERY male dominated. I also train Kung Fu, male dominated sport, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu where I happen to be the only female in my class. Now I'm not claiming to be the first female to do any of these things. Nor will I be the last, however I have an inner sense of pride at being a female who isn't afraid to break down gender barriers whenever they get in my way.

Did you notice I left out my writing? It is here that Tara's mirror reflected an ugly image.

To hone in on just one of my fictional stories, I have selected a strong female character as the lead. She is surrounded by men who deem her their equal. So far so good right?

One thing Tara talks about in her book is the Bechdel test. A test for film where to pass a film only has to have the following:

1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

An easy standard to meet, however majority of films we see today don't pass. And neither does my novel. That was a tough pill to swallow.

All the gender walls that I'm breaking down during the day, I'm building back up behind me for the next woman to battle with by perpetuating these tropes in my work.

I identify as feminist, but I never claim to be perfect. I learnt a valuable lesson from Tara at this Brisbane Writers Festival and I am very grateful for it.

Thanks to Tara, I now have the opportunity to make this right and be another author writing the world as we wish to see it, not perpetuating gender inequality in works that I'd hope future generations of men and women will read.