Some people say Robert Jordan, author of the Wheel of Time series, is wordy. He was accused of drawing the story out unnecessarily to make more money, etc, etc. Regardless of how you feel about that, I was always amazed at his ability to write from the point of view of so many characters, yet make them all unique and believable. I especially admired his ability to write from the perspective of female characters.
I have an even greater appreciation for that skill now.
As I typed the last sentence to a chapter of Mander’s Scar the other day, one of the female’s in the story demanded that I write from her perspective for a bit (She’s a Queen, so she’s allowed to be demanding). After some thought, I agreed with her.
Now, I did a scene or two from a female villain’s point of view in Soul Yearning, but nothing major. This character will be much bigger as she’s a co-protagonist in the story. And I’m a little concerned.
Upon a readthrough of Soul Yearning, my wife commented that a female character wouldn’t say something that I wrote. Being a man, I had never thought of that, and wouldn’t have noticed unless another female pointed it out. Which brings me to my dilemma. I know the story will be way better if I make the Queen a more personal character, but it’s a bit daunting trying to get into the mind of the opposite gender.
I know some author’s would never try this. Stick with what you know, right? But if the story will be better, we have to do it, don’t we?
So, this week I begin my journey into the feminine psyche. I imagine my wife will get lots of questions on how a female would think during certain situations. What she would say or do. Either way, it will defintely be a new adventure.
In your opinion, who are some authors that pulled off writing from the opposite gender? As a writer, what did you do to write the opposite gender successfully?
I would say Brandon Sanderson did a pretty good job of working with a female character in The Way of Kings. Shallan was both determined and insecure at the same time. Of course, Sanderson, being Jordan’s protege, may have gotten a pretty thorough education in cross-gender writing.
Since my current series is told primarily from a male point of view, I get a lot of reality checks from my husband–especially when my male characters start to prattle or groan about how they feel. It’s a true challenge. But one I think we’re all better for in terms of audience connection and writing chops for undertaking.
I love Brandon Sanderson. I’m pretty sure every one of his books has both male and female point of view characters, and he pulls it off wonderfully in my humble opinion. What was your take on Way of Kings, Rebecca? It’s one of my top 5 books of all time. I can’t wait for book 2.
Love Robert Jordan. I especially love they way when he’s writing from each gender, they stereotype about the other gender. The women all complain that all the men do is gossip, and the men say the same things about women.
I can’t think off the top of my head who else does it well, but I know who does it poorly. Romance writers. Men in romances are ridiculous. Women like them, though, because it’s how we wish men would be–more like us! We want men who will automatically understand that the reason we’re upset is because the scale was two pounds up from where it was the last time and so the skirt we really wanted to wear didn’t quite fit right, and the skirt we tried on instead had a stain and then when we finally picked something we were happy with we spilled coffee on it and we just need a hug, not someone who wonders if it’s that time of the month.
I digress.
I write from a male POV, but I can’t claim to have it figured out. I can just hope that male readers won’t be shaking their heads in annoyance because my menfolk are so girly.
I had to laugh at your comment on how each gender views each other, Avily. I’m reading through all the WoT books again in preparation for the final one coming out early next year. One of my favorite parts is how Rand, Perrin, and Mat all feel like the other two are much better at understanding women than they are.
And I couldn’t agree more about your take on men in romances. One excuse I’ve heard is that romance writers say that’s how godly men should be. I think it just creates unrealistic expectations/comparisons. Just my .02 there.
I have 9 younger siblings in the following order: girl, girl, girl, boy, girl, girl, boy, boy, boy. So I grew up with girls. The sister right under me was practically my best friend for much of my life. I tend to observe people because I find them interesting, so when I have to write from a girl’s perspective, I think, I have 5 sisters with vastly different personalities. Knowing how they respond/react and talk, etc, how would this character act in a way that was similar? Usually though I stick to a predominantly male POV because it’s what the books call for. (I have written an entire short story from a female pov, which my sisters really enjoyed, and another from a mixed gender pov which I received mixed responses from- yes from female readers, a few plot Qs from a male reader) Maybe I have an unfair advantage, but it seems to be working.
Usually I don’t have to think about it, sometimes I do.
Wow, that’s a lot of girls to get feedback from, Nathanael
My wife and I do a ton of marriage counseling at our church, so one of my hopes is that the conversations from those sessions will help me to represent a feminine perspective a bit better.