Feminism remains a hot button issue with a lot of media coverage, movements, and hashtags. Accusations, judgments, and insults run rampant in most discussions. Despite these things and the fact that I’m probably not the best feminist, I thought I might as well throw my two cents in too.

Let’s start with Loki, shall we? No, he isn’t a female character but stick with me. He’s technically a villain or anti-hero at the least. However, I adore him. I embrace his snark, jealousy, and vindictive nature in the Marvel movies. Now, imagine he was a girl…

I don’t know about you, but I’d find the whining much more annoying from Thor’s bratty half-sister. I’m not sure why I’m harsher toward female characters, but I am. You did see my first paragraph where I note that I’m probably not the best feminist, right? It’s something I’m working to change in myself. I feel this is especially important for me as a writer. The pen truly is mightier than the sword, but I digress. I’ve read blogs and discussions on feminism in books, movies, and TV. I’d even read so much that I wasn’t sure whether or not to watch Wonder Woman.

*Side note – was anyone else disturbed by the amount of coverage focusing on whether or not her thighs jiggled while running?

For the record, I watched the movie and enjoyed it! I thought it worked well in the superhero genre but also offered a unique take with a female lead. I don’t want to focus solely on Wonder Woman though.

Femininity (and therefore female characters) are currently sitting under the hot glare of the spotlight. I think instead of wilting, women should embrace the opportunity! Sure, Wonder Woman was great, but we need more. We deserve more!

Equal heroics for equal villainy!

Bruce Willis as John McClane in Die Hard was considered breaking the mold because he wasn’t “classically handsome”. I can’t imagine anyone else in the role! I hope Wonder Woman continues to break molds once again (she’s a pro at it by now as she made her comics debut in 1941)! WW takes the lead, not because she’s female but because she’s the best qualified. The male characters aren’t less ‘manly’ because of it. They take heroic action as well.

The same can be said for Disney’s Mulan. It’s one of my favorite Disney movies and one I was quick to share with my niece. It was refreshing to see a girl taking action instead of waiting to be rescued. I also adore the number of teen girls saving our future world (i.e. Hunger Games and Divergent). However, I still want and need more for and from my gender!

Equal heroics for equal villainy!

I’d love to see more women kicking ass in TV and books – it’s not even necessary for all of them to wear leather/ short skirts and save the world either. There’s so much more women can bring to a narrative.

Many untold stories remain for women as heroes, anti-heroes, and villains. It doesn’t have to take a clueless teen to inspire the world. It doesn’t have to be a broken heart that creates the female baddie. It should still okay to be a pink loving princess instead of a warrior goddess…as it’s should also be okay to be a scientist, president, first responder, and bratty demi-god. Just like men, there should be variety in female characters’ backstories, strengths, weaknesses, loves, hates, losses, goals, and victories.

Highlighting women doesn’t only tell ‘feminist’ narratives either – it brings more complexity to the men in their stories too. I assume not every male relates to John McLane’s classic line “Yipee ki yay, mother#@!*”. The guys need more variety in the female characters to get more variety in theirs too.

There’s a treasure trove sitting and waiting for us to explore. Times of great controversy, tragedy, and chaos also bring opportunities for great change.

While I’m (still) working on my own contributions, a friend* released her debut novel, Unsanctioned Eyes, last year. The main character is a female assassin who isn’t all bad or all good. It is the contradictions and nuances in Quinn that make her compelling. I did cheer for her – not only for her survival but her redemption. I didn’t want a fairy tale princess rescue redemption (though I love Beauty & the Beast). I hope Quinn finds a redemption that allows her to be still be beautifully flawed. I want her to succeed and still be a little good and a little bad.

Equal heroics for equal villainy!

So, who are your favorite fictional women? Who are the real life women who inspire you? Who are the female characters you want to write?

 

 

*BTW, you can also find Brianna here:

https://twitter.com/briannawriting

https://www.instagram.com/briannawriting/