women courting

[frayadjacent]

Ever since last year when I read Gail Simone's Wonder Woman run, where Diana tries (and fails) to court a man, I've been craving more stories where a woman really actively pursues a romance (with any gender person). I think this is the root of why I so often fail at shipping: writers are so rarely interested in showing me that a lady character is even interested in the other person, much less actively courting them.

What I'd really love to see is Lady Character pursing the object of her affection awkwardly -- with inappropriate grand gestures, for example. (But not Awkwardly Not Pursuing said object a la early season Willow and Xander, I've got plenty of examples of that.) And I'd love examples where she succeeds and examples where she doesn't.

Where do I find this? I had secretly hoped The Mindy Project would do it, but alas it didn't, not really. I get it occasionally from books (Rowan courted Fletcher in The Outskirters Secret, for example).

Comments

[calvinahobbes]

Someone above mentioned Sarah Waters, but sadly I don't think any of her novels would fit. AFAIR they're all firmly in the POV of the pursued.

It's maybe not surprising how rare that dynamic is? It doesn't quite fit, but Selfie has some of the dynamic you're describing, but beware the show was cut off prematurely and so the ending isn't very satisfying (but I loved it, everyone should watch it, maybe you did already and I don't remember anything!).

Erm, I guess The L Word kind of does it, but I don't recall any seriously protracted will-she-won't-she courting arcs... Also maybe don't watch TLW, it's pretty awful?

[goodbyebird]

SELFIE!! That would actually fit in spurts. And omg, still pissed they canned it.

[frayadjacent]

Ooh, I did watch Selfie, but I don't think I ever mentioned it here! And Eliza's faily pursuits of Henry were definitely one of my favorite things about it. It's such a sweet show, maybe I should rewatch it.