Yes, I saw this when it was first posted. As a writer of almost exclusively female protagonist I was curious about what she had to say. Generally I agree, apart from 5. Why is that wrong? That's just character. Not all mine are "distant" or "unlikeable" but some are. And besides, that gives them somewhere to go, doesn't it? I forget who said that, ultimately, all stories are about identity. (I write prose mostly at the moment, and I have a female lead who really is quite difficult, but by the end of the fifth book she has mellowed considerably - she can still be spiky though.)

Steve, good point re #5. My guess is Heather is talking about the preponderance of "distant" female characters. But there's no reason why, if the character manifests herself to you with that propensity, you shouldn't write her that way. Re all stories are about identity? Might be Andrew Stanton who in his TED Talk quotes a line from Lawrence of Arabia: "Who are you?" Uses that to suggest that all stories ask this question of major characters, especially Protagonist figures.

I thought the same thing about number 5 too. I think the gripe is that it has been so overused. If it's done well and works with the overall theme of the story, then I don't have a problem with it.

Concur. As Steve notes, a "distant" character is a great place to start as it provides a solid beginning point for their transformation.

RE: #3, what women had to do to be "powerful" changes as society changes. Watch Marilyn Monroe do "Lazy": https://youtu.be/nU24UVVSlUc. Some would argue this attitude is what made her and (by implication all women) a victim. There is a line earlier in the movie where she chooses career over marriage and family. He says "you just want to be in control" and she replies "I've been in control since I was six". She is satirizing herself like Julie Brown in Earth Girls are Easy "Cause I'm a Blonde" https://youtu.be/S9Wi3A3skb0, or same movie "I like em big and stupid" https://youtu.be/vEU_5lVjRFQ. Ok so I'm focusing on the satire but let's face it can you think of a really unattractive fat ugly hero? (Say what you want about Tom Cruise but he's cute)

Good point and examples, Lois. These qualities, such as "powerful", do evolve with cultural changes.

I think the word we need is "agency". As the original post says words like "powerful" and "strong" are unhelpful. Does the character have agency? Is the character actually the protagonist and does she make stuff happen? (I have a female xeno-botanist who overcomes the antagonist simply by being clever with plants - she has a male side-kick who does the heavy lifting as needed. No romance.)

I was going to say "proactive" vs. "reactive" or even "inactive" as is often the case for female characters, but I think your choice, Steve -- "agency" -- is even better.