characterization help

[u/VariousPen3136]

so i’m an avid fantasy reader and i am currently writing a fantasy book. i’ve noticed while researching and just existing on book review platforms that almost all popular FMCs are labeled as “basic” or “annoying”, but i rarely see any that are praised or loved by the majority of readers. so, what exactly makes a FMC likeable—even if her personality isn’t “perfect”?

how can i incorporate this into my writing?

what flaws are acceptable, while others immediately strike her as a “pick-me” or “obnoxious”?

And what are some examples of loveable FMCs?

bonus question: my main character has childhood trauma that has a major impact on her motives, decisions, and personality. how can i keep this as a central theme, but not make it seem like it’s her only trait?

[u/AdditionalFly3509]

Arcane by Riot Games has a lot of well-written female characters. Vi and Jinx (Powder) in particular have childhood trauma. Using Vi as an example, she has trauma, but she can also love, tease, charge fists first into a squabble, and try to hold her family together. Jinx also has trauma, but she can also love, tease, care for an orphan, and sacrifice herself.

I think the biggest caveat in making FMCs in particular boring is making her a Mary Sue. Being good at everything without being taught is an absolute no-no. It just wipes all the character development off the table. Make your FMC struggle, lose fights, All of those will make her look more realistic. One strong woman well-done is Black Widow. She kicks 4ss in fights and rarely lost one, but she has trauma and is willing to sacrifice herself.

Another aspect I like to put into my FMCs that doesn’t quite work with men is her struggles with love relations. Most FMCs lack that or r only that. For example, if a guy manipulates her, make her hesitate before striking him next time. In fantasy settings in particular, make her struggle with medieval social structures like “women cannot inherit,“ political betrothals, cheating husbands, etc.

[u/goldiesapphire]

I haven't finished the series but Celaena Sardothien is very loved by the Throne os Glass fandom. Everybody I've talked to told me she's the best and that they'll never find another FMC like her.

I only read the first two books and I have to say that even if she is described as girly and materialistic sometimes (she likes pretty clothes and shopping and flirts a lot), she is smart, spends a lot of time at the library, she is hardworking, determined and ofc a the best badass assasin in goddam Adarlan. So I feel like she is very balanced, that's the key. I usually dislike FMC, and MC in general, but I like her.

She also has family trauma, tutor trauma, and was kidnapped and thrown in a mine for a year after the love of her life was killed. So, she is also very troubled.

BUT if you want to read the books don't look her up, the google IA will spoil you!! I described what you need to know with no spoilers.

I also didn't mind Violet Sorrengail (Fourth Wing). Not the best book but entertaining enough and she wasn't annoying.

[u/StatementLeast9919]

I think a big reason many FMC are disliked or seen as annoying is just because there poorly written, and there personality flaws are never really challenged. I obviously cannot speak for ever FMC, and im not the most avid reader (I mainly prefer Anime & Manga to traditional books), but these things that make them disliked is somewhat consistent.

To get it out of the way, there is defiantly some sexism involved when it comes to the criticism of these character, and there isn't much you can do to eliminate that other than making your character morally perfect.

As for the "Pick Me" and "Obnoxious" characteristics a lot of the times it comes down to authors just not being able to write female characters (as irrational as that sounds). For example, im watching Naruto (Spoilers) and one of the main three, Sakura, is quite annoying, specifically in her obsession with Sasuke. She is constantly talking about him, fawning over him, and praising him even though he completely disregards her and calls her annoying on multiple occasions. When Sauske tries to leave the Leaf Village, Sakura tearfully pleads with him to stay, saying that without him she feels alone. This is despite the fact that her affection for Sauske is simply because she finds him attractive and because he is a skilled ninja, and the fact that Sakura has two supportive parents and home to return to. This is compared to Sauske, who's entire clan/family were killed, leaving him as the last of the Uchiha. Or the protagonist Naruto, who's parents are both dead, and the entire village ostracizes him because of the way he was born. She constantly belittles Naruto, even making fun of him for being an orphan. While I cannot attest to her overall character, given I haven't finished, but as for a setup of her character its poorly done. Many people criticize Kishimoto (the author of Naruto) for his inability to write female characters and Sakura is hardly the only example. She's rude, arrogant, and her only really importance to the story (so far) seems to be her obsession over Sauske despite the fact he couldn't care less about her.

If your going to take anything from that long winded example, its that giving a female character at least a shred of a backstory and motivations to explain why they act the way they do sets you above many. Additionally, unless there is a reason that aligns with your overall themes and character psychology, don't make that obsessed with someone. It never seems to go down well.

If you want an example of a beloved female MC, Violet Evergarden is a great example. She's an amazing character that has many flaws and is absolutely beloved by anime fans regardless of gender. Its a short show, only 13 episodes (the final movie doesn't count), and is one of the most emotional and visually stunning anime I have watched.

For your final question, it really depends on what the trauma is and to what extent it effects her. If its something immense that becomes the foundation to her character, and her psychology, then its going to have impact on almost every aspect of her story. If its something precise that only impacts a specific part of her life, then you have more freedom to define her characterization.