What makes a female protagonist an Alpha Female?
Is it a natural ability to land a roundhouse kick to the jaw of an attacking alien? Is it a gift for strategy? Is it the ability to stay cool in the midst of war and peace?
In my experience as a reader, writer, and editor, the alpha female is uniquely defined by her self awareness and her singleminded determination to act – despite the mores of society.
Alpha female heroics are not merely about doing the unexpected or taking the obvious, bold action in a given situation. It’s about taking the right action for the character’s progress (and the reader’s enjoyment).
Claudia Dain has an excellent, sexy historical romance series (the Courtesan Chronicles) featuring Sophia, a woman forced to become a courtesan, only to have her reputation saved by her true love.
Sophia is technically a supporting character, to each of the love stories, but the current marriageable misses of the ton turn to her for advice on how to capture the husband they want (or in some instances the one they need).
The young ladies who seek out Sophia also learn (and find ways to emulate) her inherent strength and courage in the face of damaging gossip and merciless rumor mills. They find their own ways to alpha female status.
Sophia is an alpha female protagonist. Not only did she make tough choices, but she turned circumstance to her advantage – working first at the fringes, then in the heart of the London society system.
I’ll let you enjoy the series, and Dain’s superb plotting and writing, without any spoilers here. Once you have, you’ll see alpha females aren’t just for contemporary settings or paranormal romance activity.
Dain’s character is just one of many fine alpha female examples outside the realm of paranormal romance novels. Proving that stereotypes are made to be shattered in the name of stronger storytelling.
Live the adventure!
