I received this book, by Helen Jacey, for Christmas and thought that it might be a good idea for me to post some bits of it as I read it, as it's different from anything I've ever read before and, though it applies to screenplays, much of the writer's ideas and tips could also be applied to creating strong female characters in novels and short stories.

First of all, why write a screenwriting guide about women? Jacey points out that since Aristotle onwards, all dramatic theories have been written by men and it's time for new models for stories about women. None of the more recent screenwriting guides have pointed out the differences between men and women's lives or have ever questioned what would happen to the rules and conventions if a woman were to lead the action.

From what I've read so far two things have jumped out at me and grabbed me by the throat.

The first is this. We have grown to love male characters we are meant to hate - complicated, troubled men. I mean - two words - Don Draper. But where are the complex, dark female characters? The perennial problem for writers, she says, is fear the audience won't like the heroine. Making the main character likeable is tricky for all characters but even more so, she asserts, for female characters. This is because we're either encouraged to generate huge levels of sympathy for her in order to justify any difficult choices she may have to make, or make her very sympathetic from the off - a huge pressure for writers it's hard to avoid.

"A million heroines die the death of oversoftening every day of the year," Jacey writes. "They drown in the sea of forgettability because they simply aren't complex enough."

To avoid that, she offers you the Memorability Factor equation. Here it is:-

M-Factor = [your heroine's compulsive need + most shocking/difficult trait] x charismatic or endearing quality

SHe suggests that with a group of fellow writers you can draw up your list of heroines with the memorability factor and apply the equation. For a start she offers Scarlett O'Hara as one example.

Scarlett's M-factor = [self-seeking(compulsive need) + outrageous manipulation (shocking trait) x optimistic determination (charismatic trait)

Scarlett's M-Factor = ruthless prima donna! The success of GWTW is legendary. Like her or hate her, nobody forgets Scarlett O'Hara.

There are many exercises in this book and here is one as early as Page 20 that really made me sit up and think. I have done it for two of my heroines - one for a radio drama I am writing and one for a new serial. I am printing this out in full crediting it to the author and taking none of the credit for myself. I hope you'll find it useful when you consider your own heroine. Even if you're in the middle of a WIP it's never to late to change and redefine your heroine.

APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE ROLE OF HEROINE

1. What is your name? Any nicknames? How do you feel about your name?
2. Why do you want to lead this screenplay?
3. What do you fel you can bring to the role?
4. Why would audiences like you? For your strengths or your weaknesses? Why might they dislike you? What is your dark side?
5. Can you give me three reasons why I should give this job to you and not to anyone else?
6. What are your personal goals and objectives for the future? Do you expect to achieve any of these during the screenplay?
7. Are you married, single, or divorced? If married or single, are you happy about that? If divorced, what went wrong? Are any issues from your past relationship going to get in the way?
8. Do you have children? If yes, do they live with you? Do you expect them to accompany you in this story? What childcare needs will you have?
9. Where do you live? Describe your neighbourhood. Why do you live there? Are you planning to travel or relocate during the course of this screenplay?
10. Telll me why you think an audience would remember you.
11. What are your notable achievements? Might the audience have already heard of you? Are you famous, or celebrated?
12. Finally, if you were a flower what would you be? Why?

There'll be more tomorrow but that's all for now folks.