Can female authors draw heroes as convincingly as heroines and vice versa?

[Lissa]

As a reader, I prefer books revolving around male lead roles rather than heroines. All of my own books have had a man in the lead role. However, I once encountered a lady literary agent who remarked: "Your book is about sport, your protagonist is a man and you're a woman author. Won't work!" I thought that a very strange and sexist view, which luckily my publisher disagreed with, because the book in question has topped best-seller lists and Amazon's Top Ten and I have as many lady readers as men. I just wondered if any other author has encountered a similarly odd view or if there are ladies or gents out there who don't feel comfortable writing about the opposite sex?

[Mae]

Suspect this is one reason why, in the past, female authors have often chosen to write under male pseudonyms (and quite possibly vice versa) if the book placed in genres which was heavily dominated by the other.
Some people still seem to subscribe to the idea that they can tell how good the writing is depending on the name on the cover.

I prefer male leads when reading. Not sure how I've ended up with female leads when writing though...

[P.]

My response about that agent: Another example of an agent/publisher being wrong. It's just one person's opinion, and frankly, I'm a bit offended by it (in the sense of what you said: it's sexist). I have written with a female protagonist, and those who read it have commented on what a great character she was (is?). I have 2 series going, both with male protagonists, but one of them has a strong female character that is prominent in the series. But I'm hoping to get to a new (3rd) series that I have in mind... with a female protagonist.

I think the key is to write the character naturally, from her/his own self.... in other words, develop a character sketch that is detailed enough to include tendencies and quirks for that character, being mindful that this character is (opposite sex). Same as when we develop and write a character who is autistic, or who defines themselves by what they do--an extreme mountain biker, or an aspiring actor, or whatever.....

[Lissa]

I would agree with both responses so far and I think non-writers, such as publishers and agents, seem to forget that we possess empathy and don't have to have experienced things in order to write about them (which would certainly limit the world of fiction!)

P. wrote: "My response about that agent: Another example of an agent/publisher being wrong. It's just one person's opinion, and frankly, I'm a bit offended by it (in the sense of what you said: it's sexist). ..."

[P.]

Lissa wrote: "I would agree with both responses so far and I think non-writers, such as publishers and agents, seem to forget that we possess empathy and don't have to have experienced things in order to write a..."

Ah, good point! That old "write what you know" dictum. I bet you're right... and you're certainly right in that it would limit the world of fiction. What business do I have writing about murders and crimes???? hahaha!!!

[Andrea]

I wonder if this attitude will change or get worse due to current racial and gender politics and opinions. Personally, I think I write male characters more than female, though I do have both--perhaps as authors, we're drawn to what is different from ourselves, writing to escape what we experience and to a certain degree "know" and to explore life outside our own lives.

[Lissa]

I do write what I'd most like to read, so I think your point about escapsim is a valid one. Exploration of human character and the what if's triggering our interest in unknown situations are what makes us fiction writers.

Andrea wrote: "I wonder if this attitude will change or get worse due to current racial and gender politics and opinions. Personally, I think I write male characters more than female, though I do have both--perha..."

[P.]

Andrea wrote: "I wonder if this attitude will change or get worse due to current racial and gender politics and opinions. Personally, I think I write male characters more than female, though I do have both--perha..."

Agreed... and perhaps a mix of both. I know that like you and Lissa, I write characters who are different from me. But I also know there's a fair amount of "me" in them as well. Certain traits sometimes, but definitely my views and philosophy--sometimes presented from the positive side, sometimes from the negative.