How To Write Relatable Yet Powerful Female Protagonists

To write relatable yet powerful female protagonists, it’s essential to balance strength with vulnerability and complexity. A powerful female character isn’t just someone who can perform extraordinary feats; she is someone whose inner journey reflects growth, self-awareness, and emotional depth. Relatability comes from showing that even the strongest characters have flaws, doubts, and struggles to overcome.

Consider Vi from Arcane—she is tough, skilled, and determined, but her emotional vulnerabilities, particularly her love for her sister and the trauma from her past, make her relatable to the audience. These emotional struggles make her victories feel hard-won and authentic.

Similarly, Ellen Ripley in Alien is both tough and resourceful, but her vulnerability—whether it’s her fear of isolation or her need to protect others—humanizes her and makes her struggles meaningful. To write a relatable yet powerful female protagonist, show her facing challenges not just through strength but through personal growth. She should learn from her experiences, confront her fears, and evolve, making her journey feel both empowering and authentic.

A powerful female protagonist is one who is defined by more than just external success—she is shaped by her inner struggles, relationships, and the lessons she learns along the way.