𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒, writing tips

( 23. ) Female OCs ✓

I know a lot of people get upset because there are so many female characters in fiction and stories on this site, but it's only because they aren't represented how we want them in the actual industry. So, personally, I have no issue with all of you going wild with badass female OCs.

     However, I would like more representation. I don't want the stereotypical skinny, young, pretty white girl. Show me that you know how to write other races, cultures, ages, and certain characteristics depicted as "flaws" that develop your character in another way other than the usual.

JUST GIRLY THINGS !
    Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to write about the monthly cycle. Of course people would like it to be more realistic, but we all go through that. It's as if you described a showering routine, we all do that (hopefully) and it's nothing new. Being more realistic doesn't even have to be tied to a female character, so long as you know how to write for a normal functioning person, then you can write realistically.

     Girls tend to have more body pain (cramps and back pain), so for your character to always be at their best is highly unrealistic. People have off-days, meaning characters can too. It's important to include such, showing your readers that Miss Badass is having a rough time and she actually goes through normal dilemmas.

APPEARANCE !
     Representation is another important thing that we don't see often with female characters. I know I'm mentioning this again, but only because it's super important to show. I'm not saying that you have to drop all of your white OCs and search for the first POC you see to base your character on, because then you'll just end up with someone like Zendaya (literal perfection) and think you're doing some good. I'm saying that including characteristics as little as: freckles, stretch marks, vitiligo, and scars, etc.— is making a huge difference in the writing community.

END NOTE !
There's not much to writing a female character, but know that perfect is hard to get, so it's highly unfair to your readers, and your missed opportunities as a writer, if your characters are described as perfection.