Let me just say one thing: It doesn't matter what sort of character you choose to write about. Write about any character you wish. Write about the millionaire who lost it all. Write about the woman jilted by her lover. Write about the little girl who dreamed she visited the land of faeries. Because for the sake of expression, one must go with the energy of the muse at the time.
Now, the mantra for writers, whether it be fiction or non-fiction, is to write what you know about. For example, my background is in law enforcement, private investigations, and martial arts. That's my professional background. I am a forty-something white male who grew up in the country, but has lived most of his life in the big city. I have a military background. My hobbies and interests vary from the cerebral to the highly active. I can easily create a character similar to myself -- a karate-chopping, quasi-linguistic, pseudo-intellectual, private investigator (Hey, that's not such a bad set up for an interesting character -- I should keep that in mind).
But let's talk about something here that we also know all too well. Not only should we write about what we know, but we should develop characters of which readers can identify.
You see, a reader can be invested in your story much easier, no matter what the plot or the genre, if the reader can identify with the main character (or one of the main characters). The reader must find the character to have certain redeeming qualities that are similar in "character" with who they are. Even if the main character is a genderless, one-eyed, purple alien from the planet Xir.
Now, from strictly a marketing perspective, I present food for thought. The single largest reader demographic are adult females. Sure, men read, children read, and purple aliens probably read, as well. But the biggest reader base are adult females. So I posit to you, then, develop a strong female main character. She can be the protagonist, she can be the antagonist, or she can share the spotlight with a strong main character of any gender, culture, race, or species. Strong female characters drive readership.
Yes, but what about the genderless, one-eyed, purple alien? Can I still write about that character as the main character? Certainly! Just have a strong female character in the storyline. Or, one better, present the personality of the genderless, one-eyed, purple alien as having the sensibilities of a strong female regardless of its gender. If the character is genderless then it won't matter if aspects of its personality appear feminine while other aspects of its personality might appear more masculine. It really doesn't matter as long as you present certain qualities by which an adult female reader can identify with the character. In other words, they see themselves as the main character.
Last objection (from the would-be writer) -- How do I write about a female character when I don't have a clue how women think or behave because I'm not a woman. I sympathize with you. I'm not a woman, either. But I do have females friends. I have been married to females. My mother was a female. So, go talk to them. Ask them questions. Pick their brains apart so you can get an inkling of how they are wired. You will be amazed at what you might learn, and therein find some interesting material by which to base your strong female character. Write and then bounce the character off your female friends to see if you're hitting the mark. If you're not, they will be certain to point it out to you.
Check out the first part of the Wonderland Series, "A Mirror Darkly", by the author for an example of a female main character. Available through Smashwords, Amazon, B&N.com, and other major book etailers. Or click the link https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/424032
Check out "One Second Before Awakening", the author's first full-length novel, also available through Amazon, B&N.Com, and all major book etailers. Or click the link https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/442792
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