The classic how-to book on screenwriting is _Save the Cat_ by Blake Snyder. In this wonderful and funny book, Mr. Snyder begins by pointing out something that should be obvious: the importance of a likeable hero. Alas for us movie-goers, this is not always obvious to Hollywood, or perhaps they have a different definition of likeable than the average person.
The likeability thing is really pretty simple. Have the hero perform an act of kindness, one that he’s under no obligation to do. Saving a cat epitomizes this ethos, but it could be anything as long as the hero derives no personal gain from the action, just the knowledge that he did some small thing that was right. Of course, this isn’t just for movie heroes – it applies to books as well.
Having read a lot of books in my life, written a novel, and seen a few movies, I would like to propose the argument that “save the cat” does not work very well for the currently popular kick-ass female protagonist.
Steven Barnes has pointed out that female heroes who use fighting skills of any kind need more backstory than male heroes who do the same thing, which makes a lot of sense. Even these days, with America’s military filled with young women, many of whom are mothers of young children, fighting is still seen as a more natural part of the male skill set.
The entire world does not think this way, but I assume people reading this are writing for a Western market. (A few decades ago in Afghanistan, the Russians had a saying, “If the women come up the hill after you, save the last bullet for yourself.”) Ex-military heroes are popular in thrillers; probably the most popular are from elite units that do not admit women.
What does work to gain sympathy for the kick-ass female protagonist? Save the kid, that’s what. Your female hero’s not only tough, she hasn’t surrendered her heart. _The Hunger Games_ Katniss Everdeen is the perfect example of this. Who could not be drawn in by this young woman who hates everything about the Games, but does not hesitate to sacrifice herself for her baby sister?
Katniss does not do this as a female stereotype. She is what we want all our champions to be. Only the strong can give, and she gives everything that she has. She is an archetype, and it’s no surprise that the story is seen by many as a Christian allegory.
Readers want to fall in love with your characters. Save the cat or save the kid? You decide.
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