10 Big Mistakes To Avoid When Writing Female Characters
Writing female characters can be a tricky task, especially if you’re not familiar with the experiences of women. It’s important to create characters that are well-rounded and believable, but it’s easy to make mistakes that can be offensive or simply not accurate. Here are 10 big mistakes to avoid when writing female characters:
1) Don’t Underestimate Or Underwrite
Women can be strong, smart, and capable, and it’s important to write them as such. Don’t underestimate or underwrite female characters, and don’t make them too perfect either. Give them flaws and weaknesses, and make sure they’re well-rounded and believable.
2) Stop Using the Word of DOOM
The words “emotional”, “irrational”, and “hysterical” are often used to describe female characters, and they’re not accurate. Women can be emotional, but they’re not necessarily irrational or hysterical. Avoid using these words to describe female characters, and instead focus on writing them as complex and multi-dimensional.
3) Don’t Objectify Female Characters
It’s important to avoid objectifying female characters. Don’t focus on their physical appearance or make them the object of someone else’s desire. Instead, focus on their personality, their goals, and their motivations.
4) Stop Fixating on Clothes
Women’s clothing choices can be an important part of their identity, but it’s important to avoid fixating on them. Don’t make clothing choices the defining characteristic of a female character, and don’t use them as a way to objectify or sexualize a female character.
5) Don’t Define Her by the Men in Her Life
It’s important to avoid defining a female character by the men in her life. Don’t make her relationship status or her interactions with men the defining characteristic of her identity. Instead, focus on her own goals, desires, and motivations.
6) Stop Giving Female Characters A Traumatic Past As Standard
It’s important to avoid giving female characters a traumatic past as standard. Not all female characters have to have a traumatic past, and it’s important to avoid using it as a crutch or a way to make a female character more sympathetic. Instead, focus on writing her as a complex and multi-dimensional character.
