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Ah, the female best friend in fantasy. This post is purely my take on the matter, but I do think it’s an important element to talk about and something I consider quite seriously in my writing.

The Bechdel Test

First, I think it’s important to note such thing as the Bechdel Test. The Bechdel Test was created to measure the representation of women in fiction (mainly films). There are three factors to passing the test. 

1. There must be at least two named female characters 

2. who speak to one another 

3. about something other than a man 

Don’t you think it’s sad that they at least have to have names? I think the fact there’s even a test at all is a testament to the lack of storytelling wealth missing from the world of creativity. 

Women are fascinating.

Their friendships? Some of the most emotionally intense ordeals we go through. 

The Normal

Now, as far as fantasy, I feel I have become a bit jaded towards stories written with a female protagonist lacking agency, boundaries, or the will to make her own choices. Typically, she gets swept up into a world or war that isn’t her own and a man ends up playing mentor, lover, and protector while she’s whisked from one scene to the next. If she does have a female friend, the friend is usually only there to be a tool or a shoulder to cry on regarding boy troubles. 

Now, there are some stories with amazing women vital to the plot. Take Arya or Nasuada from Eragon, Mustang or Victra from Red Rising, and Annabeth or Clarisse from Percy Jackson. 

But… how many of them were close friends with other women? None of them were the protagonists in their stories, sure, but none of them found strength from deep female friendship, either. 

I think the most prominent example of a female friendship is Daenerys Targaryen and Missandei from Game of Thrones. And then what? My mind is drawing a blank. Most women in powerful positions are alone or surrounded by men.

Feyre from ACOTAR  is swept up in love drama. Wu Zetian from Iron Widow was tangled in a love triangle. Sadie from Psycho Shifters is probably one of the only FMCs I’ve read who has a friend, but their friendship seemed weirdly fluffy and shallow from what I remember. Also, most romance FMCs have best friends, but most of them lack depth or are usually set up for more books in the series. 

Where are our Darrow and Sevro? Our Howlers? Where are our Frodo and Sam? Hell, I’ll take an Eragon and Roran at this point.

So, what am I doing to change it?

When I write, I first immerse myself in my characters, including the secondary ones. What do they want? What’s standing in their way? What are they good at and in turn, what mistakes do they make? 

One of the biggest lessons in life I’ve learned is conflict can make or break a relationship. Trust is easily broken and can open our eyes to things we were choosing to ignore. How can I bring that into my writing?  

For example, women can be at each other’s throats one minute and be chatting causally the next. It’s a dance of tension. Were they really mad at each other or did they feel safe enough to express their true emotions and move past the trouble? Are they mature enough to recognize the whole situation or are they hung up on details that don’t matter without context? 

Knowing my characters’ downfalls is extremely important, because fitting friends together isn’t like two magnets snapping in place. It’s balancing their strengths and weaknesses so they fit like puzzle pieces. I want to write annoyance and fights alongside happiness and support. It gives the relationship meat. 

And most of all… it needs to happen where romance is in the minority of interactions. I will admit, talking about boys and insecurities can be healing and reassuring. It is helpful, but it just can’t be the foundation of the relationship because a woman’s life does not revolve around a man. She’s her own person, and I want to write characters who are complete by themselves.

The next time you pick up a book, I encourage you to look at the women. Yes, they may be in powerful positions, but do they have a support system or even a friend? Do they lose themselves in what others or the world needs of them?

Maybe, just maybe, if you find a story with a strong friendship, share it with your friends and on your socials. The world needs more platonic love.

Chat soon, 

Arquie