I know what you mean about the whole weak victim thing, Mare. I have a hard time reading those fanfics where the girl was abused when she was younger and the Boy helps her get past it (lol pet peeve). But I think there are plenty of female leads out there that aren't weak at all. Maybe they have flaws that make them seem weak, but who out of us writers isn't the same at some point, ya know? It IS refreshing reading a male's perspective, and I really like writing it, too (even if it's in third person). But there are lots of stories that would be lacking depth if they didn't have an equal female lead, too.