Washing Away Old Gender Stereotypes ~ What Do We Want In Our 'Strong Female Lead?'

Who springs to mind when you hear the words Strong Female Lead?

I think of Katniss Everdeen in Hunger Games or Lara Croft in Tomb Raider...

The thing is, have you noticed how so-called strong female leads, like these, are often violent or sexualised in books and film?

Can women be strong without wielding weapons, be assertive without being aggressive? Of course they can – but where are such heroines in fiction? I want to follow inspiring women who find their way through the wilderness using their highly-tuned instincts and uniquely female qualities, not through trying to emulate or emasculate men…

I came into writing magical-realism novels from a professional theatre background. I earned a degree in English and Drama and set out to be an actor. I entered the industry, got the agent... only to be disheartened by the scripts I received. I was hungry for a decent role, yet every female part I read was at the other end of the spectrum – wishy-washy, one-dimensional or too sickeningly sweet...

Sugar and spice and all things nice? No thanks. Those roles don’t interest me either...

I want to read about female leads who are strong, deep, dynamic and relatable.

It was because of this I recognised my writing niche: my mission to create cool, quirky characters who are powerfully feminine...

Looking back, when I was growing up, there was a real lack of decent female role-models in fiction. The closest characters I had to look up to were Charlene in Aussie TV soap Neighbours (played play Kylie Minogue) - a strong-willed, sassy car-mechanic, or Maid Marion – also in a TV series aimed at kids – but even then, it seems to me, she swung between being one of the lads (her merry men) and damsel in distress...

My view is that, generally, when it comes to strong female leads, there aren't enough non-violent, non-sexualised females in books and film and that women need to be better represented all round (about time with the recent #metoo campaign).

So, Steemers (both female and male) do you agree? Ladies, who were your favourite fictional role-models growing up, and why? Would you like to see women better portrayed in books / film, and how? Being deeper, more assertive, doing more for the planet? What positive, healthy changes would you like to see?

I'm currently writing my second book, a novel called Tribe 35. Of course, a vital (and fun) part of book-writing is researching what people want to read :-)

Your voices are heard and valued...

Thank you, Steam-Team!
With Love and Listening,

Kate xxx