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I’ve heard readers dislike weak female characters. Recently, I published, “Show Your Character’s Wounds?” Together, these ideas may confuse writers. They may ask: Can wounded heroines be strong female characters?
Strong Female Character
First, I’ve compiled a list of traits I believe belong to a strong female character.
image by johnhain
♥ is multidimensional
♥ perseveres and endures; progresses forward in hope
♥ is independent but knows when to seek advice or help
♥ rises to challenges, whatever her environment is
♥ is intuitive, book smart, common-sense smart, or all three
♥ has at least one competency
♥ empathizes; helps others or contributes to society
♥ makes choices
♥ stands up for what she believes in
♥ is flawed but grows
♥ has inner strength to face trials and survive
♥ is essential to the story through her strengths and weaknesses
♥ is the lead; other characters support her
A Heroine With Wounds
A wounded heroine can meet the above criteria, but her wound has caused a flaw. It’s key she outgrows that flaw or doesn’t allow it to paralyze her.
image by Counselling
For many wounds, The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi gives “OPPORTUNITIES TO FACE OR OVERCOME THIS WOUND.” I list three wounds and give examples of what a strong female character does to show she’s overcome her past wound.
HOME INVASION. When Ann was a child, a thief entered and stole precious items from her house. Early in the story, Ann obsesses over recovering a family heirloom after learning the sale was shady. Now, a fire demolishes Ann’s possessions, including the heirloom. But saving things never enters Ann’s mind while she rescues her daughter. As she hugs her daughter, she sees the heirloom as insignificant. Ann’s wound becomes a scar.
PHYSICAL ASSAULT. When Ella was a teen, a man attacked her. Leery of men’s intentions, Ella doesn’t go out with men alone. Then, she double-dates and enjoys Eric’s company. After dating Eric several times alone, her trust develops. She accepts a client’s dinner invitation to discuss business. He becomes drunk. At her car, he makes advances. She tells him to leave. He persists. She grabs his arm and warns him she’s learned how to defend herself. She asks if he wants to suffer the pain she’s ready to inflict. He staggers away. Ella learns there are safe men, and she can stand up to others who aren’t. Her wound shrinks to a scar.
A PHYSICAL DISFIGUREMENT. Kate has eye pupils shaped like keyholes (coloboma). She doesn’t mind people asking about her condition and is glad to explain that from birth a tissue piece is missing from each eye. What bothers her is when people won’t make eye contact or fail to listen to her because they’re focused on her pupils. Now, she teases her new boyfriend about his noticeable cowlick. He sighs and says, “I was waiting for you to go after my cowlick.” Kate realizes she’s no better than the people who frustrate her. Kate’s wound fades into a scar.
Wounded heroines can be strong female characters. Click to tweet.
How might a strong female character overcome being bullied in her past?
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Love your posts, Zoe! So informative and helpful!
Thanks for the encouragement, Sally.
Thanks, Sally. I’m pleased you find them helpful.
Thanks for this reminder, Zoe! Several months ago, I worried that I had built wounds in my heroine that would make her seem too weak. Even she believed she was a weak person. But she had inner strengths, persistence, and she rose to any challenge, even those that preyed on her weaknesses — just what you advised. So far, that book has received almost all 5-star reviews.
Wow, Harry, so good to hear of a wounded heroine in action and working out so well in her strengths. Thanks for sharing your example with us.
Wounded heroines enrich our writing! Thanks again for another great post.
Thanks, Erin. I guess, most of us are wounded in some way sometime. So, a wound will hopefully make a character believable.
Zoe, this is great. And deep. Just about all my heroines are wounded in some way, but to different degrees. Some because a person in their past (usually a parent, or both parents) made them feel inadequate, some because of serious physical or emotional abuse or even abandonment. Recently signed with PBG for my first book, an Oregon Trail romance, and the heroine Caroline was wounded seriously by boyfriend Michael when he left Ohio before she could tell him she was pregnant. She comes to know the Lord, but loses her husband Daniel and ends up cooking on a wagon train. Guess who turns up as the scout? Caroline must overcome her resentment of him in order to help the group reach the West, and her (ultimately) sweet example wins Michael to the Lord.
This is a good post, I think I can use it to deepen my female leads. Thanks Zoe.
Kathy, thanks for sharing an example of a wounded heroine. She sounds like she is a strong female character in that you said she’s needed to help the group reach the West. I imagine most women on a wagon train were strong women.
Excellent post, Zoe! The “Thesaurus” books are outstanding. Blessings to you!
MaryAnn, I wish I’d done more with the “Thesaurus” books earlier. Thanks for your kind words.