Preferences

Like most folks, I have definite likes and dislikes when it comes to plot elements and storylines. Here are a few:

Likes

• Close friendships between female characters
• Passing the Bechdel Test
• Setting up for common stock storylines/scenes and then subverting them
• Romances that actually go somewhere rather than flounder around at an early stage
• Characters with dual natures
• Villains you can empathize with

Dislikes

• Rape or sexual abuse used as plot device.
• Abusive childhood used as a way to explain why a character is “strong”
• Stories in which emotionally abusive/controlling relationships are portrayed as a good thing
• Subplots that are introduced and never mentioned again
• Removing a character’s agency and treating it as a positive
• Pulling the same tired old plotlines that have been done 1,000 times before and not changing anything

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it may shed some light on why I give the ratings I do.