If you haven’t already read my blog about writing unlikeable heroes, make sure you scroll back to find it!

You might be thinking that this blog topic is far too similar – and in a way, you’d be right. Writing unlikeable heroes and writing unlikeable heroines should be pretty much the same.

But it’s not.

For some reason, we as a society are far harsher on female characters than male characters. If a male character does something cruel, he’s unlikeable. If a female character does something cruel, she’s automatically the villain.

It’s a hugely challenging thing to face as a creative, because I want to both read and write complicated women! People are complicated, there is no truly good in every circumstance person. It matters to me that we have a variety of types of people in my books, and that includes heroines who don’t always make the best decisions.

So…I have tried to push myself. Not all of my heroines are perfect – in fact, I would argue that none of them are.

But a few of them are truly unlikeable: possessed of characteristics which are unpleasant, and yet you still want to root for them.

If you’re looking for those sorts of books, I would recommend Jemima in Twelve Drummers Drumming, Lilianna in Not a Chance in Hell, and Giselle in Peril with a Prince.

Let me know what you think in the comments – do you like reading unlikeable heroines?