Your idea of a Female Protagonist

[lex.nero]

While brainstorming an idea for a novel I was contemplating the choice of leading with a female protagonist or having them as the male protagonist's main supporting role.

I considered a number of options before deciding it would be cool if they were a succubus which could make more intimate scenes very dramatic and provide tension via fatal attraction to the male characters and male protagonist.

So, do you think it's a good idea and what kind of character would you include in your own stories?

 

[faspxina]

In the wise words of Tobuscus: "hawt, hawt, hawt, hawt..."

But give her a decent characterization, don't just make her into type some sort of fan-service

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

It's a good idea to have characters of both genders in your story. If it were up to me, my female protagonist would be "believable and well-written" as opposed to those other options "hot" and "totally bangable" (as preferred in the post above mine).

 

[fulano]

I'd settle with a down to earth, independent, resourceful, happy-go-lucky, slightly angry young woman.

Not every female character has to be all screwed up, have some kind of dark past, or have some kind of condition that makes her special. No need to make her blatantly extraordinary.

Her dealing with whatever odd situations she's confronted with should be more than enough.

Besides, the whole female-sexual-predatory-sexy-beast thing seems like it may carry a lot of contrivances on its own, don't you think? It invites a whole lot of questions like "Where is she from? How come she's a succubus? How does it affect her life? Does she have to follow some kind of rules?" etc., etc. Maybe she should just have a fetish, instead?

 

[Danzaivar]

Well most stories take women important to the plot and try to be as subtle as possible in making them pretty much just there for sex. You on the other hand are just cutting the bullshit right out and making her a demonic embodiment of sex.

So like, points for honesty and stuff.

- - -

Oh and in my opinion the best female protagonist by far is Heather Mason from Silent Hill 3. She's a girl. She doesn't come across as a guy at all. She is a protagonist who is a protagonist that is not male. And they don't shove it in your face constantly, shy of the "You will be the Mother of God" thing rather than "These are breasts and the cameraman is a pervert" that usually happens.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Commander Shepard. I feel that female parts are better when they aren't really written for any gender in particular. The devs have concentrated on the character rather than what's between their legs.

 

[Nickolai77]

Personally i quite like powerful independent female protagonists. (Faith Conners, Serena, Revy from Black Lagoon) they certainly make interesting characters because they are more liable to conflict with other characters. And in a way, the fact that they are no standard male action protagonists is a bit refreshing.

 

[lex.nero]

It's a good idea to have characters of both genders in your story. If it were up to me, my female protagonist would be "believable and well-written" as opposed to those other options "hot" and "totally bangable".

Agreed, i wouldn't put a female protagonist in just for sex appeal and would obviously include characters of both gender however, I was hinting at developing the story of my character, even though she may feed on male sexual desire what if she was completely human the rest of the time. An example of this would be like if a vampire surpressed embraced it's humanity yet still found a way to satisfy it's need for blood.

 

[demoman_chaos]

Something like Nintendo's version of Samus, the fact she is a woman doesn't factor in too much. Samus isn't a damsel in distress (see Peach) nor is she exploited to try and get sales (see Bayonetta).

Oh wait, succubus. Well then, in that case I'd say make her controlling and manipulative. So make her like a regular woman (joking).

 

[Zorg Machine]

I would like to see a female protagonist (or even just a character) who is the love interest.

Make her interesting (maybe you can do something with her past), make her unique (maybe some skill), and for the love of god, Don't do what team ninja did to Samus.

Basically, make her an independent, interesting person and prioritize making her a good character rather than making her a "female" character.

 

[Arawn.Chernobog]

One that makes the fact that she's female irrelevant.

 

[Loop Stricken]

I considered a number of options before deciding it would be cool if they were a succubus which could make more intimate scenes very dramatic and provide tension via fatal attraction to the male characters and male protagonist.

So... Lost Girl then?

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

I have a lot of stories in the works.

Three of them have the strong woman stereotype and one has a magic prostitute.

Yeah... I wonder what that says about me...

Also one of the "Strong Women" is the first-person protaganist of one of my stories

 

[lex.nero]

Considering the comments it would probably be more interesting if she was a supporting role; The male protagonist meets here early into his adventure, becomes seduced yet saves himself, quells her from her rage and hunger by mentioning the importance of his mission/quest, form a partnership. Then I could focus on her backstory later using certain conversation topics as plot devices; Where she comes from, her nature as a succubus, etc...

 

[HeySeansOnline]

Simple, just take a good protagonist and make her female. Gender never really adds to a protoganists quality, but just being a good one is enough. Just make sure not to over emphasize she's a chick, just make a good character, and you'll be golden.

 

[Keava]

My ideal female protagonist was already made, in a game, The Longest Journey/Dreamfall, and since then only thing that came very close for me to be considered good female lead is Lisbeth from Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy.

 

[Mikeyfell]

I'd settle with a down to earth, independent, resourceful, happy-go-lucky, slightly angry young woman.

Not every female character has to be all screwed up, have some kind of dark past, or have some kind of condition that makes her special. No need to make her blatantly extraordinary.

Her dealing with whatever odd situations she's confronted with should be more than enough.

Besides, the whole female-sexual-predatory-sexy-beast thing seems like it may carry a lot of contrivances on its own, don't you think? It invites a whole lot of questions like "Where is she from? How come she's a succubus? How does it affect her life? Does she have to follow some kind of rules?" etc., etc. Maybe she should just have a fetish, instead?

so what? Indiana Jones with boobs?
sounds good to me

 

[lex.nero]

I considered a number of options before deciding it would be cool if they were a succubus which could make more intimate scenes very dramatic and provide tension via fatal attraction to the male characters and male protagonist.

So... Lost Girl then?

Thats scarily accurate and now makes me feel like I'm just ripping an idea off. I'll just have to characterize her differently... Or Make them an Incubus instead.

 

[fullbleed]

I think a good female character is one who is really no different from male characters in terms of writting, and personality and their roles. Good female characterisation like in the Alien films and Terminator films, where it's a strong female character but they don't constantly call attention to the fact she's female as a deffining characteristic or make them over sexualised to pander towards male audiences ala Lara Croft.

 

[The Bandit]

Alyx Vance.

Anyone wanting to put any female character in their games (protagonist or otherwise) needs to look at Alyx and say "What can I do to improve on this?"

And by "improve" I don't mean add massive boobs.