Madix-3
asked
Django Wexler:
You mentioned Strong female Characters being something you try to get right. What would your advice be in that regard, besides outfitting them with a strong personality, relatable goals and conflicts?
Django Wexler
This is a complicated question! George R. R. Martin, asked something similar, once said, "Well, I've always considered women to be people." And that's the heart of it -- IMHO, the key to writing good female characters is NOT treating them like some kind of weird aliens that need unique treatment. They're just *characters*. Good characters need history, motivation, voice, conflict, none of which are particularly related to gender.
So, basically, my advice is -- don't try to write Strong Female Characters. Just write good characters, whatever their gender.
I hope this doesn't sound dismissive of the question! I know that it's not easy to get out of that frame, it's definitely something I struggle with on an ongoing basis. And none of this means you *shouldn't* care about having female characters in the story; only that I think the best way to approach them is as humans, not as Female Characters.
So, basically, my advice is -- don't try to write Strong Female Characters. Just write good characters, whatever their gender.
I hope this doesn't sound dismissive of the question! I know that it's not easy to get out of that frame, it's definitely something I struggle with on an ongoing basis. And none of this means you *shouldn't* care about having female characters in the story; only that I think the best way to approach them is as humans, not as Female Characters.
More Answered Questions
Alex Robins
asked
Django Wexler:
Hi there Django. I was wondering if you had any film recommendations thematically similar to your Shadow Campaign books? I've been thinking of some of the colonial films like The Patriot, Last of the Mohicans or Glory, and some of the older stuff like The Charge of the Light Brigade, Waterloo, Lawrence of Arabia or Zulu. Anything more obscure that inspired you? Keep up the good work!
Yoruhime
asked
Django Wexler:
Hello Mr Wexler ! I recently read the three first volumes of the Shadow Campaigns ( and the fouth is coming out right now *.*). I wanted to say it's an incredible series ! And actually, I had a question : amongst demon-carrying characters such as Winter or genius like Janus, Marcus is quite... normal, and I find him fascinating, the soldier struggling in the middle of it all. How did you create the character ?
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