Will Sci-Fi fans engage with strong female leads?

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Tue, 2011-10-25 14:22

Hi, I have recently written my first novel and, for my sins, it falls into the increasingly complex genre of Science Fiction. My main character is a strong, sassy female called Shae and whilst most feedback I have had says she is a credible and engaging lead, I have had some comments suggesting that Sci-Fi fans may not be overly accepting of a female protagonist.

I would like to know whether there is anyone out there who has a thought on this. It would be interesting to find out whether this is a more common opinion or just a couple of stray comments.

If you would like to understand Shae’s character a little more, I have added Guardian of the Crowns – Chapter One, Part 1 to my collection.

Look forward to reading your views.

Tue, 2011-10-25 20:07

Kahdai

If anything like sarah jane no prob! Not too typical girly! will have a read now...

"I will make sense with a few reads \^^/ "

Wed, 2011-10-26 09:29

Geoffrey

Read Anne McCaffery's dragons of Pern series.

Wed, 2011-10-26 10:13

MissTee

Thanks everyone for your responses. I feel much better now! Blessing, I agree, Ripley is the ultimate Sci-Fi kick-arse hero! Thank you for your kind comments on the first part of Guardians – I will be putting the next part up soon if you are interested. Kahdai, thanks for your kind comments. Hopefully Shae isn’t too girly, but she does have her moments! SundaysChild, I love Ripley too! She was always hard-core! Cormacru999, I really agree with you and have tried to take Shae away from the slim, blond bombshell look. Of course she has her ‘sexy’ moments but they don’t define her character. Geoffrey, thank you for the tip!

Wed, 2011-10-26 16:42

MissTee

Appreciate the honesty Blighters Rock. Too be fair, it’s not just the Sci-Fi market that uses sex to sell! By the way, are men battling aliens any more credible? Just a thought! :-)

Thu, 2011-10-27 10:29

Geoffrey

Who says SF has to be about fighting aliens. I read an SF story long ago where two different races happened to meet in space and told each other jokes! Read Asimov's 'nightfall' this is real SF and not the cowboys and Indians variety with rayguns. Although not any where near in the same class read my 'marooned,' 'the rats return' and 'success' trilogy. No fighting any where, but all SF! although a purist might say Fantasy!

Thu, 2011-10-27 11:10

MissTee

Hi Geoffrey, Thanks for the recommendations. I think you are right though, some people automatically assume that Sci-Fi = aliens which as we know, isn’t always the case. As it happens, Guardian of the Crowns does have a fair amount of fighting in it – but none of it is with aliens! It’s all human on human action if you excuse the expression! Blighters – I appreciate everyone is entitled to their own opinion but isn’t your comment ‘Women personify beauty and finesse, children personify innocence and joy while men personify brawn and animality…” just another steriotyping? Surely it is not about women and men in general but the individual characters, strengths and flaws they have? A strong woman is better able to deal with situations than a weak man and vice versa. It doesn’t matter whether that situation happens to be balancing the monthly finances, ruling a planet or kicking alien arse.

Fri, 2011-10-28 21:39

Kahdai

If not alens what are Others? I dont think scifi have to be aliens, space/time travel, made up could-bes of the future and past and any all imagined possible possibilitys! Blighters, don't find women battling against aliens very credible though your example of women personify beauty and finesse would be a lot better that brawn animality(unfair, men can be careful too!) you have to be smart and charming and paranoid! and dont think it a strong or weak matter either a weak man may be less threatning to an alien all this is making me think I should put my scifi on here! K

"I will make sense with a few reads \^^/ "

Wed, 2011-11-09 16:53

shep5377

Hi Miss Tee, Just a quick comment. I know it isn't Scifi but have you read any of Brandon Sandersons work? His are fantasy novels, another male dominated genre, yet he has used strong female leads repeatedly to great success. I am thinking here of Vin from Mistborn in particular, but both Elantris and The Way of Kings have female leads. My point being that I think if you have a well rounded character who is both believeable and engaging it doesn't matter if they are male or female. Good luck, Alex

Wed, 2011-11-09 16:53

#10

shep5377

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