>Which writers or female characters are ones in which >you feel portray accurate examples of women? I'd say that there are few authors that accurately portray humans in general, when you get right down to it. That said, I think that Connie Willis is the reigning master of characterization, followed by Kage Baker. Tanith Lee *can* do excellent characterization, just as she can be a master of plot, or a master of mood, but I find that she's rarely all three at once. C.L. Moore, in partnership with Henry Kuttner, were definitely a force to reckon with with it came to this. Hmm. Ray Bradbury, of course, although he did like to indulge in stylization. I think that LeGuinn can, as well, although she has tended to be more interested in cultures than in individuals, per se (at least in her science fiction). I definitely think that Gaiman can really get inside his character's heads, regardless of gender. I'm sure more will come to mind. Part of the problem, IMO, is that SF&F are genre's that tend to be heavily driven by plot with characters either being somewhat sketchy or fulfilling archetypal functions. _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963