Writing Great Female Fictional Characters

Characters drive your plot and can make or break a reader’s connection to your story. As an avid reader who doesn’t easily DNF, nothing will have me setting aside a book faster than failing to develop a connection to the character/s. To write exceptional main characters, you must have a good understanding of the different character archetypes: maiden, mother, warrior, sage, rebel, lover, queen, mystic, huntress & femme fatale.

It’s no secret to any of my readers that my favorite MCs to write are the warrior, the rebel, and the huntress, but many of my secondary characters are sages or mystics, and in rare cases, mothers. When writing a book, my main characters are predominantly female (they say to write what you know!) so for this exercise, we will focus on archetypes in the feminine. 

Character Archetypes Definition

Instantly recognizable, characters that are easily identifiable due to common traits. In most cases, it is easy to distinguish a character’s archetype, but the more complex a character the more difficult that classification can become. A character can draw traits from multiple archetypes. Katniss Everdeen, for example, shows both rebel and huntress qualities. Dumbledore is both sage and mystic. Ellen from Pillars of the Earth is a huntress and a mother. There will always be one dominant characteristic, however, and this article will help you decide what your character’s primary archetype should be.

Character Archetype List

While women are complex creatures, there are broad female archetypes. Your main character will likely fall under one of these broad categories:

The Maiden Archetype

Anyone who grew up reading fairy tales is familiar with the maiden archetype. Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Cinderella are the perfect examples of the maiden – characters commonly associated with innocence and purity. 

Usually a young woman, or a girl on the cusp of womanhood, the maiden symbolizes pure good. I know this doesn’t sound like a character with much depth but don’t discount the maiden yet. 

In modern writing, the maiden is a perfect jumping-off point for any coming-of-age story, and for a tale that wishes to showcase character growth and development.

Qualities of the Maiden:

• childlike, naive, innocent, playful, sweet, pure, good.

Popular Examples of the Maiden Archetypes

• Bella Swan (Twilight)
• Persephone (Girl, Goddess, Queen)
• Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter)
• Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

The Mother Archetype

As the name suggests, the Mother is a nurturer. A protective caretaker, this type of character extends beyond biological motherhood and plays a role of support and unconditional love. The mother is known for her compassion and selflessness.

Qualities of the Mother:

• selfless, caring, nurturing, self-sacrificing, empathetic, strong, supportive, compassionate

Popular Examples of the Mother Archetype:

• Molly Weasley (Harry Potter)
• Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones)
• Marmee (Little Women)

The Warrior Archetype

One of my favorite female characters to write, the warrior showcases strength, determination, and courage. Usually a skilled fighter, the warrior often plays a leadership role. When I wrote The Legacy, Rebecca Davis was based on the typical warrior archetype, though she had a lot of the rebel in her, too. The warrior is often depicted as a role model, so it stands to reason that most superheroes are warriors.

Qualities of the Warrior

• tenacious, independent, fearless, fierce, strong

Popular Examples of the Warrior Archetype

• Wonder Woman (Marvel)
• Arya Stark (Game of Thrones)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The Sage Archetype

The sage challenges ageism and places great value on women who hold knowledge. They are in constant pursuit of the truth, and fairness. The sage offers guidance and support to other characters and proves that wisdom and experience can transcend physical strength and beauty.

Qualities of the Sage:

• wise, knowledgeable, intuitive, strategic, objective

Popular Examples of the Sage Archetype

• Galadriel (Lord of the Rings)
• Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter)
• Athena (Greek mythology)

The Rebel Archetype

The rebel archetype embodies independence and defiance. The rebel desires change and will fight against injustice at great personal risk. Rule-breaking and pushing boundaries are common among Rebels.

Qualities of the Rebel:

• strong sense of right and wrong, resilient, inspiring, defiant, willful, independent.

Popular Examples of the Rebel Archetype:

• Offred (The Handmaid’s Tale)
• Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)
• Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)

The Queen Archetype

Also known as the Ruler, the Queen has raw power and authority. Often in a leadership position, the queen could be a true monarch or a competent CEO. She commands and governs, while still emulating strength and grace. Wielding significant power, facing challenges, and bearing impossible responsibility are some obstacles a queen archetype might face.

Qualities of the Queen:

• powerful, authoritative, assertive, commanding, responsible, strong.

Popular Examples of the Queen Archetype:

• Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada)
• Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)

The Lover Archetype

The lover archetype is aptly named. A complex archetype, the lover represents passion and desire and is emotionally driven. They prioritize relationships and personal connections. While many plot points revolve around romantic love, this archetype can also incorporate a broader range of emotional relationships.

Qualities of the Lover:

• passionate, deep, desirous, emotional, complex, sensual.

Popular Examples of the Lover Archetype:

• Juliet (Romeo and Juliet)
• Scarlet O’Hara (Gone with the Wind)

The Mystic Archetype

The mystic is also known as the Magician. The mystic often has supernatural abilities or magic, and may operate outside human perception, or in an alternate reality. The mystic may act as a guide or catalyst for other characters to achieve their potential.

Qualities of the Mystic:

• mysterious, magical, spiritual, intuitive.

Popular Examples of the Mystic Archetype:

• Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)
• The White Witch (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe)

The Huntress Archetype

The huntress is a complex archetype and another that I love to write. Clarke from The Clock Keeper was based on the huntress. The huntress often has a strong connection to nature (she may even be known as the explorer) and is very self-reliant… survivalists are almost always a huntress. Feminism is another trait of the huntress, who may shun traditional domestic roles.

Qualities of the Huntress:

• wild, independent, confident, empowering, brave, adaptable.

Popular Examples of the Huntress Archetype:

• Artemis (Greek mythology)
• Arya Stark (Game of Thrones)
• Ellen Builder (Pillars of the Earth)

The Femme Fatale Archetype

The femme fatale is one of the easiest archetypes to identify, and often one we love to hate. Please do not be fooled into thinking that this character has no depth beyond her sexuality because she is as dangerous as she is desirable. The seductress uses beauty and charm to manipulate others into doing her bidding and may weaponize physical attraction and lust.

Qualities of the Femme Fatale:

• alluring, seductive, charming, beautiful, captivating

Popular Examples of the Femme Fatale Archetype

• Amy Dunne (Gone Girl)
• Cersei Lannister (Game of Thrones)

You may have noticed that I did not mention the hero archetype, and for good reason. The hero is almost always the main character/protagonist, and as such can operate under any of the archetypes listed above.

A character may have attributes of various archetypes, but there is always one that is dominant. Rebecca Davis from The Legacy Trilogy, for example, has strong rebel and warrior qualities, but her leadership role and superhero abilities place her more firmly in warrior territory.

Writing great characters isn’t easy, and knowing the archetypes isn’t enough. Once you know which role your character will play, it is up to you to write an exceptional character, and more importantly, to make him or her unforgettable. Beware of writing cardboard-cut-out characters with no distinguishing features! Your reader will not be impressed.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of characterization in fiction, and the archetypes your characters might fall under.

Until next time, write hard!

MD x