Whether it is a secondary character or main character, how do you write their mind set or display them to show their feelings in ways different from guys. How are they different? How do you know when you developed a female mindset for a character different from a guy's? I could base it off of someone I know, but the character would be shallow with many contradictions because I am not deep enough into the mind of that person I base it on. The character would seem shallow if I don't write the girl with a mindset and personality designed for her. So basically how do you write a female character?
2006-08-24 08:19:13 · 10 answers · asked by The One Truth 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
truth is asking for the female opinion is a good idea, but I don't know who to ask since I write a genre that my female friends aren't into anymore because they have grown up.
2006-08-24 09:16:09 · update #1
I often write male characters; in fact I am more comfortable writng men than I am women. However, what it comes down to is this: we are all the same. No matter the gender, ethnicity, personality etc, all people have the same desires and fears and needs. The rest is window dressing.
Realizing that helped me greatly. It might work for you, it might not. Good luck!
2006-08-24 16:14:29 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Macbeth 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It all depends on the character. The beauty of creating a female character or any character is that you can make her however you want. There are no rules. Use your imagination. Women can be just as strong as men and have the same sort of mindset. Don't limit yourself by trying to classify certain feminine attributes. Just write the character and see what happens. I've written several stories from the point of view of a male and have never had any problems or had readers think the character wasn't true to life. I wrote about a guy in love with a girl and about an old man facing death. I wrote them as unique characters with weaknesses that are universal. Make the character real beyond their sex and you will have a successful character. In the end, your readers will ultimately let you know if you are truly successful.
2006-08-24 15:38:08 · answer #2 · answered by Girasol 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Don't write a female character in first person if you lack the insight into femininity. No female would buy the character. A woman that you may consider outwardly superficial may have very important reasons for her behavior that would at least need to be touched on.
2006-08-24 21:35:31 · answer #3 · answered by brandylita 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not about gender.
It's about motivation. Whatever your character's motivation is will predict their responses to situations. Say a female character in a thriller is motivated to keep people from suspecting her. Is she motivated because she is guilty? If so, and if someone suspected her what would her reaction be? If her motivation is based off innocense what would her reaction be then?
Every has a reason for what they do. Find the motivation of your characters life, what drives them to get up everyday and face the world. They become then more people then just characters.
2006-08-24 16:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by zombie_togo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to draw on all your experience and all your empathy, plus some imagination.
But writers must do that on so many occasions besides a male writer creating a female character.
2006-08-24 15:25:57 · answer #5 · answered by johnslat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try and get a female perspective. Unless you're on a deserted island you must have females you interact with on a daily basis.If not observe them without stalking....this might lead to a stint in prison if you are not carefull!
2006-08-24 15:27:32 · answer #6 · answered by guvner_46 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you could ask female friends to help you by asking how they might react in certain situations. or make some more posts here and ask women how they might deal with a certain scenario. At the very least, you might come up with some inspiration.
2006-08-24 15:27:38 · answer #7 · answered by rcsanandreas 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use observation to understand how women tick. We really are not so different but unless you observe and note what you see you will end up writing clichet charactures that no one will believe.
2006-08-24 15:34:11 · answer #8 · answered by patti_felz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you seem to lack knowledge of females. try watching your mom or someone you respect. give her the same attributes you admire in anyone. loyalty, courage, honesty, truthfullness, compassion. study the female.
2006-08-24 15:58:23 · answer #9 · answered by dolly c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a keen observer then you can comfortably describe any woman whom you have observed with an observant eyes.
2006-08-24 15:59:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋