So today, I have a special guest! S. Usher Evans, author of The Madion War Trilogy, is visiting The WR(ite) Blog…
She’s going to be talking about male/female platonic friendships (something I love to put in my books as well), and maybe point out that, in fact, she has a book coming out really soon, too, so kindly go preorder it…
–oOo–
In my new book, Resurgence (preorder now), there’s a fantastically platonic friendship between the two main characters, Jack and Cam. Theirs is a relationship I had no shortage of joy writing, especially as there was absolutely ZERO sexual tension between them. No jealous best friends here, folks (well, Cam does get jealous, but for other reasons).
Male/female friendships are so hard to come by in media. Most often, they dissolve into sexual tension or kissing or whatever. Below, I’ve listed a few of my absolute favorites in books and other media:
Leslie and Ron, Parks and Rec
Leslie and Ron are diametrically opposed to pretty much everything philosophically. Leslie, if you’ve never watched the show, is a diehard government bureaucrat who’s sole focus is to get the government to do as much as possible for the citizens of her town, Pawnee. Ron, on the other hand, is a canoe-building, bacon-eating libertarian, who thinks government should be nonexistent.
While they’re on opposite sides of many arguments, it’s clear that Ron respects Leslie—and Leslie considers Ron a fun challenge. Leslie leans on him when she needs guidance, and Ron goes to Leslie to help him battle his ex-wives Tammy 1 and 2. All in all, it’s a beautiful relationship.
Liz and Jack, 30 Rock
(Girl loves herself some NBC shows…) Much like Ron and Leslie, Jack and Liz are complete opposites in terms of philosophies and life choices. Liz is a television writer who eats her night cheese, Jack is a sharklike executive. At first, you watch their relationships ups and downs as Jack becomes more acquainted with television life and Liz learns how to become a better manager.
I love their relationship even though it’s mostly lopsided. Liz is a hot mess of problems and Jack is there to listen and provide prospective. But it’s also fun when Jack is the crazy one and Liz is there, like with her actors, to talk him out of his dressing room. For them, it’s a give-and-take, which always strikes me as a healthy relationship.
Harry and Hermione, Harry Potter
Harry and Hermione should have ended up together (fight me). But since they DIDN’T, I’ll throw them on my list of favorite platonic friendships. As probably everyone on the planet knows, the trio’s friendship withstood a ton of challenges, from trolls and hippogriffs to teenage angst and crushes to actually fighting an evil monster. Although Ron is there (meh), the real magic happens between Harry and Hermione.
Harry’s no slouch, but Hermione is the one with the brains and the drive. In fact, the whole series could actually be called “Hermione Saves the Day (Harry helps a little).” I think Harry and Ron take advantage of Hermione’s brilliance a little too often, but he also gives credit where it’s due. I actually modeled Jack and Cam on these two, playing with the idea of what happens to the golden children once they become adults.
Jack and Cam, Demon Spring Trilogy
Okay, so why do I love them so much? Jack and Cam started out as rivals at the demon hunting academy—both from prominent families, Cam with an insecurity streak and Jack with an ego trip—and eventually through trial and tribulation became friends, then best friends. Jack even marries Cam’s sister, but it’s clear they have their own special bond. They’re closer than siblings, having seen each other at their best and worst. Jack would do anything for Cam, and she, him. Their banter was hands-down the most fun to write.
What are your favorite M/F friendships?
About the Book
Demon hunter Jack Grenard’s life changed three years ago when his wife was brutally murdered by the very demons he’d been hunting. At the urging of his partner Cam Macarro, he’s starting a new life in Atlanta, hoping he’ll find the man he used to be. But on a routine hunt, they come across a new type of demon–one that saves instead of kills.
Meanwhile, demons across Atlanta are preparing for the quadrennial uprising of their Underworld brethren. Worse yet, there’s a rumor the so-called king of the demons, Bael, will appear for the first time in over a century. Jack and Cam must uncover the truth about the mystery woman before all hell–literally–breaks loose.
Resurgence is the first in a new Urban Fantasy trilogy from S. Usher Evans, author of the Madion War Trilogy, Razia, and Lexie Carrigan Chronicles. It is available for eBook exclusively in Kindle Unlimited, and in paperback and hardcover.
But… but… if Harry had ended up with Hermione, wouldn’t that mean Ron would have to pair up with… um… his sister? I don’t think the world is ready for that kind of scenario.
😀 hahaha! One certainly hopes not!
Though, for the record, I totally agree that Harry and Hermione should have ended up together. It was the one big Thing I really felt about the series that was wrong.
Ron deserves someone vapid like Lavender. LOL!
In my opinion, Hermione didn’t need to marry anybody. Here’s a single woman with drive, intelligence and self-confidence. She’s the kind of woman whose best friend would say she was thinking about getting married and would reply, “What’s the problem you’re trying to solve?”
I can totally see Hermione not getting married, and agree that there was not necessarily a need. There’s nothing wrong with being single or preferring to live by yourself and pursue your own dreams; but Hermione obviously found that she did need Ron, for whatever reasons. I wouldn’t make that decision, but everyone is entitled to fall in love with whoever they want 😀
I would like to think that a Hermione who didn’t want to get married wouldn’t be so condescending as to tell someone else who didn’t feel that way “what’s the problem you’re trying to solve?”. Having said that, book Hermione was always convinced of her own cleverness above everyone else’s (I thought Rowling did well giving her characters very human flaws) and so I can actually see her being so dismissive and condescending as to actually say that to someone else. We won’t even go into Harry’s flaws, because I really didn’t like book Harry as a person and he really took time to grow on me.
In the end, it’s no less valid to marry, than not to marry; and I would as soon say “What’s the problem you’re trying to solve?” to someone who had picked out a friend, as to someone who had picked out a spouse (aka, never, because everyone can choose to live their life in a way that suits them).
There was no condescension intended in Hermione’s question. And it certainly was not asked out of a feeling of being more clever than someone else. Just sincere curiosity and genuine concern as to what is behind a person’s impulse. This is her best friend she’s talking with. Somebody she loves and respects.