So let's make it a campaign. List books with well developed female MCs. They don't have to be any particular kind of MC but not two-dimensional characters, but realistic kinds of people. Tag them #FMCpower

I've seen some bad ass female leads who turn into dames in destress as soon as the ML enters the picture.

Like girl, you're this powerful person but you let this macho head treat you like his possession.

Like if the MC can't have guy friends because some dude says so, she's weak!

    Tim_ it happens to male mcs to i seen so many evil mcs turn to this good dog that do everything the female lead says what u are the devil king that have ruled a different world for how many thousand years here take this female lead and worship her and save the world because she is gonna die if u don't

        Phoenixalight
        I dont tend to read fl webnovels, mainly cause of the fact that most authors cant pull off the romance aspect.

        Only fl novels i read are those without romance, but these are in short supply. Right now i am reading doomsday wonderland, so far no romance.

        That novel may suit your preference, though i must warn you that i am slowly being turned off due to the retarded characters and plot armor.

            Phoenixalight We authors realize our females are lacking in development, but it's not easy to make a qualified, competent FM lead in a light novel and make her a realistic person and at the same time fun. However, I guarantee most authors draw from RL experience in one form or another when making characters, so perhaps as men authors we just can't see into the female psyche as well as we'd like, and try our hardest to make resonable discourse with what is revealed on the surface. Basically, writing female characters is complicated, and as an author you sort of want to stick to the genre you're writing. If I was writing a realistic fiction, my main female lead would more likely to have real world problems and amazing character development along with a slew of problems. I just think its genre based, and I hope you find some solace in knowing that us authors try.

                Because females are lame. Gtfo from our reading sites with ur fujoshi shiet

                  DragonTreasures I can say that this applies for women writers as well when creating male characters. Although not as noticeable, I find that most of the male characters in typically romance stories are...the same. But the reason why the FL also stands out is because they're often still the same even though the writer is a woman! *facepalm~ But then again, not all MLs by males are great either. So I guess in short, creating an interesting character is a challenge period. But for whatever reason, bland females are more noticeable than bland males.

                      Look into the Chinese female culture and history, I think most females relying on guys fits pretty well with it. Check out historical heroines, too. Doesn't come as a surprise that most were concubines and I can think of 1 known general off the top of my head that was outside the norm. Not too many badass women. Now ask yourself why are you reading Chinese web novels for your badass female fix, even the female authors rarely do a good job.

                        Hjkoi Although you make a valid point, I don't seem much of an increase in badass women outside of Webnovel either. As a general statement, women have always struggled to retain femininity while being aggressive or "badass." In many societies, even the more tolerant ones, when a woman is strong, she's acting like a man. So I guess somehow, this gets reflected in stories even with women authors? I don't know, just surmising here on possible causes and would love to know what others think.

                            Chryiss I was actually thinking early when I read this topic. If I were to write about a strong female lead right now, I think it would turn into a guy with a vag.. lol. But seriously from what I know, it comes down to what culture you were raised in, then how your family raised you and did you have any strong female influence in your life. Goes both ways too. I read to many female authors who just castrate the males. Then after all that it comes down to what sells the best.

                                Hjkoi Yup, it definitely does depend on how one grew up and the society lived in. Actually, I’d even say in the end, the stories with really great FL leads are often overlooked or don’t become popular. Just the fact that so many of these romance stories are almost carbon copies of one another attests to that...

                                    So clearly I'm exempt from this statement since I write boys love/ML predominately?

                                    Although, my one FL is no pushover either.

                                    I just think peeps need to read more freebie originals on this site, or expand out. There are some hidden gems here. You do need to go hunting and dig deep.

                                    My I present my dedicated FL story about a girl called Neven for starters. This story has no romance. It's a first POV bordering the dark fantasy genre. Her girls will be strong characters too, but of personality and mindset rather than physical strength. Their levelling up will be a realistic development.

                                    Chryiss Your society may promote gender-equality, but as long as 'maleness' is the norm for 'good' then you're stuck with a problem.

                                    I'm old enough to have seen this dilemma more accentuated. Basically early feminism called for everyone's right to be a man (or at least be seen as one).

                                    It's a little more difficult today (in so called equal societies). Now everyone who identifies as a female has the right to be female -- in a male way...

                                    In the end this very thread illustrates the problem. Is it 'bad' to be 'lame'? Is it 'good' to be 'badass'? I wouldn't know. I belong to the 50% of the population who identifies as (and is labelled) 'male'.

                                    That said I'm glad that basically all posters identified 'wet dream doormat' as predominantly 'bad'.

                                      Dontlookdown I agree that to most CN author, romance is their weak point. But I'm sure there are some exceptions out there

                                      And have you tried Martial Arts Master. It's one of the best romance novel I've read

                                          Phoenixalight I haven't found that many female lead stories on this site. There are a couple. But I mainly find the great ones outside of QI. I also just found a really good female LN on this site that's original. HOWEVER, the Female MC later dies, and transmigrates into a dude, then it turns into a BL LN. sigh So rip to that amazing FL MC LN or I'd suggest that one >_<

                                              My FLs are not lame. I always imagines a unique female characters that doesn't need a ML but I'll pair them to one. Am not a fan to a delicate female protagonist but am trying to create someone cannot bully but different among. :)

                                                Lol. What was this debate is all about? At the end of the day, what makes the readers smile, cry or get angry upon reading thier favorite story that is all that really matters, that story serve its' purpose. If you don't like the story then don't read it! Simple as 123! There is no such thing as good or bad story, only the reader can give a verdict on that specific story. Lame or not, just stay quiet and keep it to yourself. Because what is lame to you maybe good enough for others. One size can't fit all. Peace!

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