Writing Female Characters: Pet Peeves and Tropes 

Another trope I'm tired of is the geeky, super shy girl who wears frumpy clothes- but who somehow manages to attract the attention of the most physically gorgeous, popular guy in Town because he see's that "she's just not like the other girls". And he whisks her up, makes her wear a tight dress and some make up and BAM. Suddenly she is oozing confidence from every pore. It's a miracle, he has saved her! As though confidence is solely attached to physical appearance and wardrobe. It's so old and over done and really quite lame.

Unless it serves an actual purpose, I don't see the point of even talking about sexuality or lack thereof in a narrative.

A lot of what you said is why I loved the hunger games trilogy. Her looks were only mentioned when it actually mattered in the story. Nurturing but not a push over and not the only character with feelings. Its also why I enjoy the characters of Sailor Moon.

When it comes to your second point, I hope to write a female protagonists who's flaws are somewhat that but also affect her character arc.

"I'm going to talk about the fake badass tro--" *Subscribed.* Seriously, I don't understand why some writers feel compelled to write in tropes, which is especially more recognisable in females because there are comparatively fewer female tropes. Drawing from reality (even just a little bit) can have such impact, because real people are so much more complex than a stylisation in the form of a trope.

I agree such cliche characterizations are overused. For less cliche male characters I suggest try modeling from The Outsiders or The Mind Breaker trilogy, and non cliche female characterizations can be found in Kora or the Hunger Games trilogy. It also seems to me that too many writers take on fight scenes without having studied/practiced any boxing, wrestling, or any particular martial art which too frequently leads to ridiculous fight scenes which often ruin an otherwise decent novel.

Julia: I don’t like babies dOnT give me your baby Me: omg same Julia: if you hand me your baby I will just- My brain: drop it Julia: be like 🧍‍♀️ Me: o h

I'm good on all of these, except the innocent part. My character actually was sheltered, for a number of important reasons.

I don't know if this is a universal thing, but I noticed that Madison form Eve the Awakening and Cosima from the Savior's Champion are both horny, busty girls who are pretty, were raised in privilege, and have an obsessive unrequited love with the male lead who so obviously doesn’t like her that it’s embarrassing… why is this a thing? Also, why is it so emphasized in both these books that this girl is busty, but the female lead has a small chest? I feel like it's supposed to show that both figures are attractive, but honestly it feels like a straw man and both girls are really shallow characters... I might be overthinking it but these 2 women and their roles in their perspective stories feel identical to me.

don't forget the classic: the Mary Sue

I must admit that I am drawn to female characters. And at present, there appears to be an avalanche of them in fiction. How real women behave is complex. One of my favorite female characters from a book is a Creature in the form of a women; she is a female Golem, and as such searches for her identity, exploring her emotions...each day is a struggle for her; an animated being that asks herself if she is real? I enjoyed your talk, I am not sure what to make of the host of women writers that are coming forth and how they are shaping the images of what strong female characters are supposed to be like (and the impact of these images on the minds of young adult women). I interact with a number of young women that read a lot of fantasy/Science fiction. They are digesting this material rapidly. I have been observing their reading habits...for me its all a work in progress. I am trying to see the bigger picture here, so I find your thoughts on all this helpful, but disturbing at the same time. My hope is that both female readers and or writers will evolve over time and the cliches might go away. I have been patient zero for the last few days...a flu that will not go away! So my thoughts may have been a bit jumbled.

The "hyper innocent" has also been called the "born (sexy) yesterday trope." Usually an alien, some kind of humanoid mythical creature, or worse yet an actual human woman with memory loss wholly believes that our male lead is the bravest, kindest, sexiest man she's ever met because ... he's ... he's the only man she's ever met.

virgins: They are under age ... so ... And then as adults, some hook up and have families while others don't but the plot doesn't veer into the bedroom under the sheets. OFF THE HOOK 😇 nurturer: I channel the "mamabear rawr" feminine more than the sex object feminine.

When I want to low key say a character is hot I describe their outfit like the cuts, fabrics, and color coordination of their clothes like a guy say to a guy friend, "That girl's silver pencil skirt goes with her cerise top and ballet flats so well!" I don't really write romance tho and I don't write sex I mostly focus on friendships and some family

You have a decent singing voice

For the one in 5:41 a good series that has worldly women is the Discworld series by Terry pratchett. I highly recommend it

The Mass Effect love is why I need to subscribe.

This helped me so much! Thank you. I would love it if you could give me some feedback on my book if you ever have the time :) ❤️

Shout-out to a fellow ace person.

You're a blast. Sub :)

Asexual?