Question about strong female characters

[munsterman]

I am trying to write more now that I have gotten some free time in my schedule. I do random stories here and there but I have this problem with female characters. I can never tell if the ones I write are just walking tropes or actually good fully fleshed characters. So I just watched Extra Credits True Female Characters for the 3rd times (I usually watched EC and adapt what they explain/teach for my scifi lab and sometime for my writings).

After watching the episode I decided to try draw what they said about making a character and apply it to the media of literature (similar but not quite the same I know). Anyways after that I am kinda stumped as to what could be called a "Strong" female character and what is just a stereotype. Below just a couple of characters I believe to be strong but I could just be bonkers and my male parts are driving my decisions:

1) Karren Murphy from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (especially for the short story Aftermath)
2) The untitled female protagonist of Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow
3) Maybe Hunter and Door from Neverwhere by Neil Gaimon

Those are a few that I can think of right now. Now I would like the Escapist's opinion:
1) Are these indeed examples of "good" female characters
2) If not why not
3) If possible please name anyone else, across different media types, and give you opinion on why they are/arent.

 

[Freechoice]

I know none of those characters and cannot elaborate. However, if you want a strong female character, write a regular male character, change the pronouns and maybe throw in some gender specific banter.

Good to go.

 

[Ghaleon640]

Ok, I don't know those characters, but I have a few small opinions. (Though I don't know what kind of story you're trying to write, so take every word with a grain of salt.)

1. I'm often not a big fan of 'poorly done' female characters. If they usually act all girly and have strength out of nowhere, not my personal taste.
2. If they continually say 'they have to be better than the guys' and it drives their personality, it makes them seem empty, shallow and stupid. (Again, personal taste.)

It makes sense to give them a reason to be strong. What is it that drives them? If it is a basic sense of justice, unless if you boost their personality in another aspect, I fear it will fall flat. (Think 'any random csi show/movie.' Almost all the characters are the same.)

If they have great aim with guns, why do they shoot? Who do they think they need to protect themselves from? Is it a fear of any one person, or against society around them. If they are stronger than a male... is it because they work out a lot? Ignoring strength, if they keep winning fights against males: Do they take classes? But how good do you think these classes are? A few basic tricks I don't feel will work without practice.

I know males can be out of shape and whatnot, so they technically aren't always stronger or anything, but you have to look at every character, male or female and realize why they are able to do what they can do. With a female, you may just need to ask a few more questions.

There are a lot of things that can go into this, and I know this may seem shallow or empty, but its just food for thought. I'm trying to write myself, so if you feel that something I said was wrong, please point it out. But since I wrote it quickly, please don't be too condecending about it.

 

[blarghblarghhhhh]

I know none of those characters and cannot elaborate. However, if you want a strong female character, write a regular male character, change the pronouns and maybe throw in some gender specific banter.

Good to go.

this. also the main lead from sucker punch. I dont know any of the characters your referencing. also in the book "rant" the main female is a very solid well thought out character. if your looking to be a writer then I would suggest you start with that book, makes inception look like childs-play.