To the men in this group: what things signal to you that a male character was written by a woman? (Circumstances, dialogue, description, behavior, etc.)
And this is not just limited to romantic interactions. I’m more interested in the non-romantic examples: how a realistic male character would speak to another man, for example, or his thought process in particular situations.
I know when I read male authors, even very good ones, I’ll sometimes find myself rolling my eyes at certain things the female characters say or do, and I know that’s a two-way street.
Signed,
A Curious Female Writer
by Just-Passing-Thru737
8 Comments
An internal dialogue focused on relationships.
The same things that tip off women that a man is writing a female character.
IDK if I can point to a specific example of this but if he’s basically just a one dimensional misogynist. I doubt there are more than one or two men who’ve ever existed who actually THINK they hate women or treat them unfairly. No one thinks of themself as a villain, even actual villains. Their logic can be flawed but they need to believe their logic, even if it’s leading them to a conclusion that most people can plainly see is terrible.
If he needs to rationalize every or even most of his actions.
Guys just do dumb things and do not know, nor care to know, why.
Edit: bonus points if they are described with animalistic imagery- he growled- he said in a husky voice-his eyes glowed- he barred his teeth- his hair stood on end.
Like, GIRL 👏 JUST👏 WRITE👏 WEREWOLF 👏SMUT.
Personally, I think the whole men not writing women’s characters properly and vise versa is a trope that is way overblown and pointlessly critical. If the writing is that bad, I’m sure bigger flaws would show up elsewhere. Just my $ .02.
Not getting to the point and being to wordy.
When the man experiences an emotion besides rage.
I’m very meh about this. It’s all just human experience. Men have written very convincing women. Women have written very convincing men.
And sometimes the writer is just bad. Or readers are bringing their own biases after learning the writer’s gender.