Writing the Opposite Gender

[Andrew]

I posted in the news discussion a list put together by the Art of Manliness of "fiction for men". Looking at this list, men chose books primarily with male authors. When I look at that list, having just listened to the podcast wrapping up Dragon Flight and the discussion of the male/female relationships in that book, it made me curious about authors who write main characters of the opposite gender. I would love to see a list by men of female authors who wrote strong, well rounded male characters and a list by women of male authors who wrote strong, well rounded female characters. Examples?

[Wilmar]

Interesting question. I can only speak from my own point of view on this one.

I wrote a superheroine book called: The Silver Ninja

(Disclaimer: This is not intended as a shameless plug. I recognize that my book has some writing issues and am actually ramping down my marketing so that I could start promoting my next book in a few months. My book is merely to serve as an example for this thread.)

The goal was to exclusively feature a strong female protagonist as a super heroine who could kick ass yet still feel believable. I wrote the book because I felt that female demographics are often neglected in mainstream comics and movies. If a new super heroine comes out in comics, they're often dressed in the skimpiest outfits that only serve to titillate male readers (see: Starfire, Emma Frost).

If the female character is supposed to be strong and independent like Wonder Woman. They're often saved by male characters or only exist around their (superior) male counterparts (Super girl, Batgirl). People often laud Wonder Woman as the pinnacle of super heroines and yet... she's currently the love interest of Superman and is rarely treated as a woman that can stand on her own.

So I said to myself, "Screw this! I'm writing my own damn female character."

The first thing I did in my book was:

1.) She wasn't dependent on male characters. With the exception of her nanosuit, as that was her husband's invention.
2.) If she wanted to do something, she'd do it, damn the consequences.
3.) She still talked and acted like a woman. I made sure that she didn't suffer from tomboy syndrome.

I felt it was important for me to create this character because there is a distinct lack of strong, independent female characters for women to choose from in superhero culture. Sure there's plenty of great female protagonists in books, but when it comes to movies and comics, there's not that many that come to mind (mainstream that is).

I also wanted it to serve as a stepping stone for young male readers to treat ladies with a little more respect. When I read comments like, "Any dude that doesn't appreciate a woman with enormous (blank) should revoke his man card." That just reminds me of how much women are devalued in our society.

I want to have an impact on unlearning those behaviors so that people can recognize that we're all human beings. Everyone needs to be treated with an equal amount of respect regardless of gender, race, or creed.

So that's why I wrote a story featuring a strong, well rounded female character. Don't know about other authors, but that's my own personal take on it.

Steps off the soapbox. You may now return to your regularly scheduled program.

[kvon]

I actually tried to throw this on the spreadsheet I keep for my other sf bookclub. Out of 32 female writers, eight had male protagonists, five had multiple gendered viewpoints, and the rest were female protagonists. From 56 male writers, five had female protagonists, two with multiple genders, and the rest male protagonists. No cross-gender writing teams.

Since I'm female, here are the books by male writers, who all did a good job: Looking Glass, Air, The Dark Path, Contact, TNT: Telzey & Trigger.

[Wade]

Andrew wrote: "I posted in the news discussion a list put together by the Art of Manliness of "fiction for men". Looking at this list, men chose books primarily with male authors. When I look at that list, havin..."

Why is it that Men choose primarily Male authors, instead of the fact, which is, that Male authors primarily write what Men read? There is a difference. I don't check an author's sex at the door and I hope I draw male and female readers alike, but more than likely, mostly men will read my stuff.

[Keith]

Although it's a bit of an ensemble cast, I think Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds has some well-written, well-rounded female leads.

As for women writing men, Lois McMaster Bujold is fantastic with the Vorkosigan Saga.

[Chris]

I have noticed reading Robert Jordan that male readers tend to understand and side with the male characters while female readers tend to side with the female characters.

I have defended choices and character flaws of the male characters to female readers doing the same for female characters. I think RJ does a good job writing both sexes, even though some of the female characters drive me crazy.

[Trike]

Male.

Good job of portraying male characters by female authors:

Anne McCaffrey in The Dragonriders of Pern trilogy

Maria Doria Russell in The Sparrow and sequel Children of God

R.M. Meluch in Sovereign and the Chronicles of the Merrimack series

Katherine Kurtz in the Deryni novels