the b versus the strong

The difference between a shrew and a strong woman.
It takes more than kicking butt to be a strong woman. You can't swing a sword at the
number of females in books that just aren't quite right no matter how many evils they fight. What about the woman who defeats dragons yet cries over every guy she sees? Hello, find a backbone, woman. How about the very smart vampire chick who gets dumb around a guy? Of course he's innocent! It's as obvious as the halo around his head she mistook for dandruff. I swear, some books are just about that bad.
But let's start with the obvious problem that bothers the most, lately.
What is the difference between a strong woman and just a total B?
Oh, your character is strong, every guy feels how sharp her tongue is. Her comebacks are flippant yet hilarious, and surely every woman will want to be just like her. vanity alert. Here's where a lot of authors screw up. Under all that snobbery and lines you wished you said, there's an immature child sulking, or at least that's what your character looks like.
Creative name calling and throwing things are not examples of a strong women. I know. you should hear me swear when I make cookies. Not me at my strongest. Yet this confusing issue can be solved quite simply.
Let's have a scenario.
An espresso stand. The woman is yelling at the guy. Now, here's a strong woman.
She knows the guy is a child molester, and just caught him looking at a cute little boy. He's bigger than her, but she will defend that child, even if it's not her own. so she yells at the guy. Throws her coffee on him, knowing that she looks like an idiot but willing to risk all to save the innocent.
Now, here's the same scene with a sulking child posing as a grown-up heroine. .
She's running late because she has to put make up on. Some people think driving a car is a priority, but really, you can see just fine using peripheral vision and still get that eyeliner on. Now, she decides she needs an espresso. Yeah, she probably should have mentioned low fat, but she was checking out the ass on cute hottie over there. Now, she's going to yell at some dumb shmuck for not having mind reading powers. She came here one time last month, why don't they remember her drink order? Plus, her period could be starting, it could be a vitamin deficiency, but she's in a bad mood today and just thought of ten funny things to call people that are insulting. Here they come.
Clearly, one is a heroine of strength, one is just a bitch.
Here's another one: your daughter is reaching for a cupcake. You know it's bad, you slap her hand. You saw the dead bug on it. You apologize.
Now, the B, slaps her daughter hand because the girl is fat and makes funny but scathing comments.
Okay, some of the lines a B says is funny. But also, inappropriate.
It's easy to confuse a nice girl with a welcome mat, a strong woman with a short tempered meddler. So many times, a character is considered one or the other by her actions, reasons, and the reader.
Many authors get this confused. Yes, it's great you thought up a snarky line to a dipwad and decided to have your heroine say it. Now, your strong female lead comes off as whiney and childish.
It takes more than kicking butt to be a strong woman. You can't swing a sword at the
number of females in books that just aren't quite right no matter how many evils they fight. What about the woman who defeats dragons yet cries over every guy she sees? Hello, find a backbone, woman. How about the very smart vampire chick who gets dumb around a guy? Of course he's innocent! It's as obvious as the halo around his head she mistook for dandruff. I swear, some books are just about that bad.
But I got to say, reading supposed to be funny short tempered heroines is getting annoyed, especially a good dose of Midol and some shut the heck up would solve everything.