Your idea of a Female Protagonist

[Mikeyfell]

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.

I'd love to help you but you didn't give me a lot to work with.

but speaking from experience if you make your female support character a Succubus you can't have her hook up with the male protagonist at all.
You can make the intimate scenes more dramatic by putting a bunch of one way sexual tension between the succubus and the protagonist that eventually drives him to get frustrated because she's more interested in getting laid than what they're supposed to be doing. or something like that.
but they shouldn't get it on with each other, it would be far to obvious.

Here's some general existentialist advice that I write with.
let your characters become real people to you and think about how they would react to the scenarios you're writing about.

 

[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.

but speaking from experience if you make your female support character a Succubus you can't have her hook up with the male protagonist at all.
You can make the intimate scenes more dramatic by putting a bunch of one way sexual tension between the succubus and the protagonist that eventually drives him to get frustrated because she's more interested in getting laid than what they're supposed to be doing. or something like that.
but they shouldn't get it on with each other, it would be far to obvious.

Of course they shouldn't get it on with each other, having the protagonist die early in the story wouldn't be a selling point.

 

[blah_ducks]

What I'd like to see is a women who isn't some sort of love interest or plot devise. I don't read adventure stories for stupid rom-com crap, so from what I can tell, I'll probably hate this character for taking away my adventure time.

But hey, you can always denounce my opinion if it screws with your book. My ideals shouldn't ruin your plot.

 

[Mechsoap]

alyx would make a pretty good protagonist with minor changes...

 

[Jark212]

A strong woman who doesn't need to be rescued every 5 minutes, and has normal sized breasts and a realistic body type (not a 105 lbs twig woman with triple D's), would be a solid female character...

 

[twasdfzxcv]

One that doesn't talk much and makes good sandwich.

In all seriousness it really depends on what the story is and what the main character is. But a supporting character shouldn't be more interesting than the main character.

 

[lex.nero]

What I'd like to see is a women who isn't some sort of love interest or plot devise.

All characters, male or female, in themselves are plot devices. I wouldn't imagine actually having her as a love interest for the protagonist besides the initial first encounter, maybe she will tease and try to be seductive. If the protagonist is dismissive enough there should be no reason for her to be a love interest.

 

[lex.nero]

A strong woman who doesn't need to be rescued every 5 minutes, and has normal sized breasts and a realistic body type (not a 105 lbs twig woman with triple D's), would be a solid female character...

So not Ivy from Soul Calibur? Damn there goes my image of a normal looking woman.

 

[Canid117]

A protagonist who happens to have a vagina.

That is what a female protagonist should be.

 

[Loop Stricken]

What I'd like to see is a women who isn't some sort of love interest or plot devise.

Well shit, my story was going to have TWO of them.

 

[lex.nero]

A protagonist who happens to have a vagina.

That is what a female protagonist should be.

*Claps hands slowly*

 

[emeraldrafael]

I always think that the female Protagonist should be like the male protagonist. INdependant.

actually, just put it this way. DOnt make the female protagonist anyhting like BElla from twilight or a woman who needs a man to work, and you'll do fine.

 

[Mr. Omega]

The problem is that women in media are usually girly-girls or just men with boobs.

I say make gender part of the character, not the whole character.
Let her be strong and independent, without making her macho.
Let her use her sexuality, but not exploit it.
Let her be attractive by means other than big boobs and skimpy clothing, but don't make her as flat as a board and wearing men's clothes either.

Moderation is the key.

 

[Giest4life]

Boobs+Ass...I kid, I kid.

OT: I don't really care about the gender of the protagonist. Game should be good, period.

 

[Mikeyfell]

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.

but speaking from experience if you make your female support character a Succubus you can't have her hook up with the male protagonist at all.
You can make the intimate scenes more dramatic by putting a bunch of one way sexual tension between the succubus and the protagonist that eventually drives him to get frustrated because she's more interested in getting laid than what they're supposed to be doing. or something like that.
but they shouldn't get it on with each other, it would be far to obvious.

Of course they shouldn't get it on with each other, having the protagonist die early in the story wouldn't be a selling point.

Oh you mean Succubus like the creature
not Succubus as a personality trait.

now I'm more interested. Could you tell me more about what's going on?
I'd be happy to offer more pointed suggestions.

 

[Serenegoose]

You're thinking about it the wrong way - when you're coming up with a character, ask yourself questions more like this. (but obviously more nuanced, these are some quick examples)

Are they pacifist or bloodthirsty?
Are they driven or lazy?
Are they sexual or nonsexual?
Smart or stupid?
Rich or poor?
Orphaned or happy family?

Now obviously none of those are either/or questions, but it's still the sort of thing you want to be asking yourself.

Basically, come up with a background for your character that she inhabits, and work out how her personality interplays with all of these facets. What has her life been like, how has she responded to it, and what has that produced in her character, ultimately? That's how you make a character, whether male, female, or badass AI. (or Unicorn)

 

[Mordwyl]

It's funny, actually. Samus Aran's popularity stems from the fact people had no idea she was female to begin with. Therefore, the ideal female protagonist is therefore one that doesn't matter, where being female is not her selling point.

Another good example is Kim Possible. She's very feminine but is a great combatant and can fare very well against both male and female opponents. Her sidekick/boyfriend also complements her faults instead of taking over her position.