Why I Write About Strong Women Characters
In a speech for the group Equality
Now, Joss Whedon, author of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Avengers, told the audience that the
most common question he’s asked is, "Why do you always write these strong women characters?" One of the
answers he gave really stuck with me. "How is this even a question? Why
aren't you asking a hundred other guys why they don't?"
He’s
right.
Both
of my most popular characters are strong women, so I’ve been asked the question
dozens of times. In fact, I have a television interview next week and I’m sure
I’ll be asked it again.
For my part, I want strong females
in my stories that truly represent women, women who are tough but warm and
sensitive, able to kick ass, and refuse to quit. Jillian Varela in Rare Justice
and The Game’s End, as well as Terra Vonn in The Fountain of the Earth
are both such characters. They do what has to be done, but at the same
time, they aren't overly mannish women. They can be thoroughly feminine. It
amazes me that for some reason, a lot of male writers seem to be unable or
unwilling to write women as human beings.
1.
It has to have at least two (named)
women in it,
2.
who talk to each other,
3.
about something besides a man
You
would be amazed how many movies and books fail this example of gender bias.
I’ve always felt that strong
female characters should be written just as you would a male character. She
needs to be a complex human being, with her own fears, strengths, goals, flaws,
complexities, and weaknesses. These women not some stereotypical sex object. She
shouldn’t be perfect or put on a pedestal since everyone makes mistakes. And she
should make her
own decisions, trusting that she’s made the right choice.
It's
all about creating female protagonists who are real people. It might be easier
to create some knuckle-headed teenager than a fully formed, integral character,
but it isn’t honest, and it certainly isn’t right.
So
at the end of the day, why do I write these strong female characters? The
answer is easy. I just don’t know any other way to do it.
Available in eBook and trade paper - THE FOUNTAIN
OF THE EARTH, Book one of the Fountain of the Earth series. http://goo.gl/O0ME5n
Available in in
eBook - STREET CRIMES - http://tinyurl.com/7qybgja
Comments
Post a Comment