Tasha Robinson, at The Disolve, writes that "We're losing all our Strong Female Characters to Trinity Syndrome". It's a well thought-out piece and well worth the read. Near the end of the article, Robinson proposes a litmus test for female characters, which really got my brain churning.
I've written on this topic before. If all goes well, I'll be discussing it on a panel at Geek Girl Con this October. While I could, easily, answer "no" to all of Robinson's questions, does that matter? Is the goal to write a charachter who fulfills every single aspect of that perfect formula?
No.
I don't write Strong Female Characters. I write PEOPLE. Male or female, they have faults and quirks and serious psychological issues. (Maggie O'Connell is famously described BY HER BEST FRIEND as "emotionally stunted"!)
The problem , as I see it, is that authors (of screenplays and novels alike) set out to write a "Strong Female Character" like generations of old set out to write a "Damsel in Distress". Just because your character can kick a little ass doesn't mean she's not a flat, lifeless, cliche added to your story as a sop to a particular demographic.
My advice: STOP IT. Make your characters reflect reality. Write REAL women. The viewing--and reading-- public will thank you.
