A male writer discusses
how to write strong female characters.
I'm reminded of one of mine in particular, Alison from "Kyrie Alison." The story hasn't sold yet but I still think it's one of the coolest things I've done, because the main components were all so far from what I usually handle. She's a nun; I'm not Christian. It's set deep in a part of history that I don't frequent. She's keen on music and illumination, neither of which I'm good at in this life. She used to be a modern soldier in another life, which complicates matters considerable. Those things define the setting and character, then create the story. I spent more time researching it than I did writing it. Alison's worldview is utterly alien, but that's what makes it fascinating to me. None of the mayhem shook her faith in God, and she stills sees everything through that lens. Luminous and durable and strange.
I like characters who take me to new places.