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1. Give Her a Clear Goal: She needs purpose. What does she want, and what’s at stake?
2. Allow for Vulnerability: Perfect isn’t relatable. Make her imperfect but still admirable.
3. Make Her Active: She should make choices, not wait around for things to happen.
4. Give Her Flaws: Perfection is boring. Let her make mistakes and learn from them.
5. Show Her Growth: A strong female lead doesn’t stay stagnant. How does she change throughout the story?
6. Make Her Multi-Faceted: She’s not just a lover or a fighter. Show all her sides—ambitions, fears, dreams.
7. Give Her a Meaningful Backstory: A strong lead has a past that influences her decisions.
8. Let Her Struggle: What did she overcome to get where she is now? Make it resonate.
9. Create Emotional Stakes: Show the audience why her story matters and why they should care.
10. Make Her Relationships Complex: Whether it’s with friends, family, or a partner, the dynamics should show both strength and vulnerability.
11. Avoid Gender Stereotypes: Let her be the hero or the antagonist, regardless of who she’s with. Relationships should help her evolve.
12. Show Her Support System: A strong female lead isn’t alone—her allies should uplift her.
13. Show Her Compassion: Make her empathetic, not just a tough warrior. Let her care.
14. Let Her Fight for What She Believes: She should take action based on her principles and beliefs.
15. Give Her Moral Dilemmas: Present her with choices that challenge her ethics and shape her character.
16. Create a Signature Strength: Whether it’s courage, wit, or loyalty, give her a defining trait.
17. Let Her Inspire Others: Through her actions, she should encourage others to rise up.
18. End with a Bang: Give her a powerful, satisfying resolution. Let her earn her victory.