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"Strong and independent" does not have to mean "behaves in a masculine way." Strong can simply be "has healthy self-esteem and doesn't rely on third parties for her self-image." Independent can s...
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#4: Attribution notice removed
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/44260 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/44260 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision
"Strong and independent" does not have to mean "behaves in a masculine way." - _Strong_ can simply be "has healthy self-esteem and doesn't rely on third parties for her self-image." - _Independent_ can similarly be "doesn't require a romantic relationship and/or partner to be happy" (even if she _has_ one, she doesn't _need_ it). These characteristics mean the person is whole, unto herself, and doesn't need to be part of someone else's plot. Your character can be a delicate Southern belle, a Brooklyn bulldyke, a Beach Boys tribute band singer, a biologist, a grumpy babushka, a blind dogwalker, a brine-soaked sailor, a ballerina, a biographer, _or any combination thereof_ and be "strong and independent." Does each character have her own arc? Does she have her own life and her own interests she is pursuing? Does she do things which don't have anything to do with the main plot of the book or any of the other characters? _That_ is what makes her unique.