I’m probably a bit older than a lot of you out there. Lol In fact I know I am. I grew up watching the women from my mother’s era. How they interacted with the men in their lives. When my dad said jump, my mother pretty much asked how high. Dad was the boss in that household.
Then there was my generation. Did I do everything my husband asked? Not likely, but I did defer to him in a lot of issues. I guess I had my mother’s example to follow, where the husband was head of the household. It took quite a few years of marriage before I got up the gumption to stand up for myself. So when I raised my daughter, I raised her to be independent. To know when to stand up for her rights, and when to back down and let someone else have the controlling reins. Ain’t nobody gonna put anything over on this kid! Lol Independent, sassy-mouthed, able to hold her own. My own kickass daughter.
But what makes a heroine kickass in your opinion? Is it the fact she’s able to take care of herself? Not only herself, but others, too? A take-charge attitude? An ability to come out on top regardless of the circumstances? Does she kick butt when people get in her way? Or does she know when to back down and let others lead?
What exactly is it that makes a heroine kickass?
Hey Alexis, I think I’m probably in your generation. <g>
I think a kickass heroine is one who goes after what she wants and doesn’t need the hero to rescure her. But…she’ll be happy to fight (and love) right along with him. I love to read about kickass heroines.
Ahh, one of my favorite topics.
I think what defines a kick ass heroine is self-confidence, and a tenacious desire to succeed regardless of the odds.
I love kick ass heroines! I think they’re inspiring—and a huge amount of fun.
For me, a kickass heroine doesn’t have to beat the daylights out of anyone (though that can be a fun read too), but she holds her own against adversity of all kinds. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind and doesn’t apologize for who she is. And if there’s a hero out there who can keep up, so much the better
All great definitions, ladies. I think the thing that strikes me most is the self-confidence angle. Because to hold your own against all odds, you’d have to be in possession of a certain amount of that, true?
I think the term kick-ass is often misinterpreted to mean a heroine who literally kicks ass, like a cop or a secret agent. But I think of this type of heroine as the kind who stands on her own two feet and doesn’t let anyone else make decisions for her. When backed into a corner, she finds a way out of it or if she can’t she makes lemonade out of lemmons.
Perhaps the term should just be modern woman. Most of the women I know can be described in the above terms – they’re not just confined to fiction.
Great topic Alexis. Good to see you blogging.
Hi,
I think kick arse, in today’s terms, relates to the spirit of the heroine. The determination she has in getting what she wants. The ability to know how, and the instinct to know how, when, and where to apply the correct actions.
Kick arse heroine to me, is one who stands up for her rights, one who is passionate, caring, and one who will go beyond the call of duty in helping anyone in need.
Good point, Sami. I think most modern women handle a hell of a lot more than our predecessors. Guess it’;s called standing up for one’s self. It just took me way too long compared to my daughter.
It’s funny because when I submitted my fantasy Emerald Ice, Angie came back to me and told me my heroine was too whimpy. She was right. That broad could whine with the best of them. lol The TSTL syndrome. I needed to make her more independent. Problem was I went too far the other way and then had to soften her up a bit. lol But it got me thinking a lot about the image of a kick ass heroine and what it means.
My characteristics for a kick ass heroine are brains and guts.
My all time favourite heroine is Tiana of Reme, Captain of the pirate ship, Vixen. Equally deadly with a rapier or her tongue. She was a treat to read.