What do readers like in female characters?

[Mastered_again]

Can I say cheerleaders?

I wrote a story last year where the narrator is a cheerleader and used this a tag, and was amazed how many times cheerleader has been used as a story tag across many different categories since then.

Schoolgirl and bikini work too. Different stories, in case there was any confusion, but all over 18.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I at first thought this was a simple question. Now, it seems almost a koan. The more I wrestle with it, the further I am from a good answer.

The problem is the (happy) complexity of the female character multiplied by the wildly varying tastes of so many readers. Every virtue (eg courage) is real and to be cherished, yet at the same time, a lapse of said virtue can be delightfully useful to the plot.

 

[StillStunned]

Propensity to sunburn and atypical reactions to medications get me hot.

It's all tied together. Why do you think they're so fiery and unpredictable?

 

[WeShallUnclench]

I might not be especially useful as an example of the average reader, of any imaginable gender, but personally I always say I really love the concept of the female Homer Simpson, as a starting point.

I get kinda bored of "perfect smart action woman who has to put up with a bumbling, foolish, often gross man she still inexplicably fell in love with and now has to take care of".

Let's have the reverse! Let's have an absolute LOSER TRASH of a female protagonist. And not in a "oh I am so pretty but so clumsy and quirky tee hee" way.

What you suggested, someone who is (at least a little) creepy and weird is actually a great idea, in that regard.

An absolute BEAST of a woman. Selfish, lazy, homely, hairy, more than a bit mean, whether expressed through biting sarcasm or literal cannibalism.

I mentioned 'Dungeon Meshi' in another thread - a story about consuming to establish yourself as a part of this world. I find that especially powerful, coming specifically from a female author.

And that is the general idea here - taking up space.

With social expectations weighing heavy on women, a character like that could start out struggling to fit into that demure, selfless ideal that society is imposing, but either through exhaustion or unbreakable spirit, she goes "FCK IT".

She could be shy to the point of becoming a paranoid shut-in, or on the contrary larger than life, but overall her pursuit is her OWN interests, she is struggling to exist the way she is, not to please anyone else, or at the very least go her own way.

 

[WeShallUnclench]

For a typical male it’s enough to just take a look, and, well, appearance is the only factor that decides if he’ll put up with her or not. Just a thought.

Sidenote, there is a Nigerian novel I love where the author explores exactly that - "My Sister, the serial killer".

The basic plot is that the narrator's little sister is stunningly beautiful, but that exposes how all the men in her life have actually no idea who she really is, even as they ravenously pursue her. They all go some version of "she is beautiful, what more is there?"

The sister likes to murder men with a knife, but that is ultimately just a framing device: She is also smart and silly and a bit of an air-headed dreamer. It's all a package, it's all her, but men don't see ANY of it. And so one part of the whole package they do not see - her bloodlust - always destroys them.

This is contrasted with the love of her older sister, who sees her in her entirety, and so she knows about the murders but also about her sillyness. She finds her infuriating, but she loves her, and gets her. And while she is jealous of the male attention her beautiful sister gets, ultimately she realizes how shallow and blind all of those men are, and has to conceede, yeah, maybe they all deserve to run into the trap.

 

[alohadave]

It's all tied together. Why do you think they're so fiery and unpredictable?

They're like Nuclear Man from Superman IV, absorbing sunlight to gain power. Keep them in the dark to keep them in check.

 

[TheLobster]

And while she is jealous of the male attention her beautiful sister gets, ultimately she realizes how shallow and blind all of those men are, and has to conceede, yeah, maybe they all deserve to run into the trap.

So, basically a novel-length parable about the timeless validity of the Hot-Crazy Matrix

 

[subdudeme13]

Big boobs... Sorry, someone was gonna say it, I just thought I'd get it out of the way immediately...

Yes and know. I am not adverse to big boobs but lithe bodies are my favorite. My preference would be for perky! Not that I resisted when being smother in big boobs. I loved it and loved them.

 

[subdudeme13]

I love assertive, aggressive and dominant women that have a sensually sadistic side.

 

[subdudeme13]

So, basically a novel-length parable about the timeless validity of the Hot-Crazy Matrix

View attachment 2383419

I am going right into the Danger Zone.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I've been living in the danger zone for thirty years. Keeps you on your toes.

 

[HeyAll]

Generally speaking, it comes down to:

-- readers wanting to know a secret

-- conflict in the heart

 

[ronde]

I know there's no universal reader, but are there any trends and prevailing tastes that would help answer this question? In particular, for stories that are more thick with actual storytelling than stories that are pure sex fantasies... stories that have more dramatic and literary elements than not. You can answer for yourself what you like to see in a female character, as well, obviously. In terms of the specific niche/subgenre, it would be more in the vein of femdom/cheating type characters, which is already polarizing as it is. Any insights into any particular audience are welcome, as well, but that's the one in question for the stories I'm writing.

I'm concerned about this because it's possible that (particularly male) readers wouldn't like a character who appears as perhaps less than put together, kind of a fuck-up, less than refined. Female readers might find that aspect more relatable, I'm not sure. Also I'd just like as much information about this as possible going forward. I'm not going to pander to anyone, anyway, I'd just like to know.

I like female characters in any genre to be mature enough they know what they want, understand why, and are confident enough to achieve that goal. If a writer can make me believe she has those attributes, I can believe what she does. I do not like female characters who have a low opinion of themselves or have a very high opinion of themselves.

Give me a female character who looks like she takes care of herself. It doesn't matter to me if she's gorgeous or plain, has to have specially made bras or doesn't really need a bra. I also can't believe the average woman over 30 would be just as tight and smooth as when she was 20. Both are male fantasies and I've been past that stage for a lot of years.

Just give me a female character who knows when she's right, has the tact to not offend everyone she talks with, but isn't afraid to defend her opinions in a logical manner.

 

[WeShallUnclench]

We have of course a bunch of threads like this, about male or female characters, but linked to what I said before, it can be a bit confusing whether or not people are talking about

- The type of person they'd like to date irl
- The type of character they feel they SHOULD say they enjoy so as to themselves look "normal" and attractive
- The type of character they actually want to see in a story

By nature of the medium of course story and "fantasy I could jerk off to" merge into one another.

I suppose a bunch of people would find it too distracting from the fantasy if the character isn't "smooth" enough - close to the archetype of conventional attractiveness.

On the other hand of the spectrum, you got people who want their fantasies and stories wacky and a bit unhinged. Weirdos can be very interesting, and interesting can loop back into sexy.

As someone who writes, I would argue the latter is certainly more fun and stimulating to write, rather than trying to come up with perfect imaginary dates for your readers.

 

[nice90sguy]

I'll read a female character that's believable and complex, but I prefer them one-dimensional, otherwise I end up having feelings for them, which can be a real dick-shriveller frankly.

 

[MyBareTorso]

I love assertive, aggressive and dominant women that have a sensually sadistic side.

Ooh, yes please! Me too!

 

[JackVettriano]

I enjoy what I describe as anti-porn.

I need anticipation in a story, give me a glimpse of all the ingredients and slowly put them together.

I need fillings and thoughts of the individual’s let me feel what they are feeling in the moment. I want to understand why he / she done that.

Writing should tell you so much more than watching, and that’s what makes it hot.