From Disaster to Diva

Why Lula Should be the Next Self-Help Goddess

by Natasha Fondrenon Stephanie Plum

The idea popped in my mind before I could stop it: Lula as self-help goddess.

Hah! I laughed at myself. Surely not.

Yet there the idea was, stuck in my head like a mosquito in a tent.

No, Lula? The 230-pound Lula? Goofy sidekick of Stephanie Plum? You mean, Lula the ho?

Yes! Yes, and yes. And no, she’s not a prostitute anymore.

Believe it or not, I thought very little of Lula when I first read the adventures of Stephanie Plum. I loved watching the cars blow up and the coffins pop open–and Ranger. Boy, was I distracted by Ranger. I dreamed of Ranger, fantasized about Ranger, and fell in love with Ranger. I only noticed Lula when she drooled over Ranger (that was something I could identify with).

No, the idea of Lula as self-help goddess was something that came on gradually, after I worked past my Ranger-frenzy … read more»

Recent Free Essays (Still Available!)

Available Until
Wed 5/29

The Emotional Pleasures of Reading Twilight

by Peter Strombergon the Twilight Saga

The Twilight Saga is, simplified, a tale of the romance and adventures of a young woman and an immortal vampire she meets at school. Readers of the novels do not reject this premise out of hand–“regular old teenage girl falls for ancient vampire”–because by now we are so used to … read more»

Available Until
Tue 5/28

Torturers Wanted

by Sally D. Stabb, Ph.D.on Alias

NOW HIRING: Communications Specialists. Great employment opportunities with an organization that fits your values. You’ll help in the national security effort, learn marketable skills and work on a great team with strong leadership. On-the-job training provided; no previous experience or education necessary.

Of course, you would never answer an ad … read more»

Available Until
Mon 5/27

Mutant Enemy U

by Loni Peristereon Firefly/Serenity

Living is learning and in living a good life we teach what we learn to others. At a very young age my family exposed me to all kinds of creative arts, from painting and sculpture to opera and Broadway; the good ones had a lasting message. Some person somewhere had … read more»

Available Until
Fri 5/24

Rossum's Universal Robots

by Kristin Nooneon Dollhouse

In the season two episode “The Attic” (2-10), Echo came face to
face with Clyde Randolph, one of the two founders behind the
Rossum Corporation. At one point, she asked a simple question
about the name of the company, almost idly, out of curiosity:
“And Rossum . . . ?”

“Oh,” … read more»