Hero Vs. Heroin.?

Question

Hello. First of all this isn't a question about my book so don't give me a "What ever you think is best." I want opinions. I'm set on writing about a heroin.

Question:
What do you think males writing books from a females point of view and vice versa? Do you think it weakens the character\book or are our minds similar enough that it makes no difference?

Haha. It's inevitable that I make a fool of myself. I thought that's how it's spelled but.. too late.

Answer 1

The talent of the writer in being able to think believably in the other gender is what makes all the difference. Take Charles DeLint, for instance. He writes a character, Jilly, that is so female, so believable, that any woman reading his works about her can easily and readily identify with the character.
I don't think it has anything to do with similarity of mind, but with empathy for the situation the character finds themselves in. Can you, for instance, understand, empathize with, and connect to the emotions of a woman who is about to do something she fears intensely? If you can, you can write it believably.

Answer 2

Unless your character is based on a real woman who has lived in the past or is alive, I think it would definitely weaken the book. A lot of times Males criticize women for doing something they think is silly but maybe very important for that woman. This may conflict you because your character might start acting manly, you would have a hard time with the feeling of your character unless you definitely know what you want that heroine to appear like. I'm not a great reader or writer, this is my opinion.
(oh, vice versa)

Some writers have been known to write their book in this method and it works out great. Many books like this are best sellers.

Answer 3

Very very good question! The truth is that we have very similar minds. We're all different, but you can write about whoever you want. They're YOUR character.

But, sadly, it takes a very observant writer to know the complex in and outs of the opposite sex. Both genders are mysterious, are ashamed of something, so they put up facades. But what's real? You need to try to see through women and say "How do they feel inside? What are they hiding?"

I personally find it hard to write about a man because I'm not close to many guys that can be totally honest with me, so you might want to get close to a girl and base the character off of her. That's always a good idea.

I find it stupid when people think that only a woman can write of a woman and only a man can write of a man.

If you want to write of a girl, you must understand her. Get into this character's head. Figure out the plot, then think of how you want her to react. Decide on her habits, on her opinion of herself and the world she lives in. Develop her. Then she'll be just the same as any male character. A person is a person, you can write of whoever you want.


Writers are often drawn to main characters of the same gender, because it's familiar. But words can weave an amazing bit of the unknown. What else is the purpose of writing besides to explore!

Best of luck.

Answer 4

I'm really into reading books about heroines. I think that anybody can write about anything from any ones point of view. I've read lots of books that were written by male authors that were from a woman's point of view. I've also found that the heroines in these stories interact with the male characters more realistically.

Good luck!

Answer 5

the fact is, we're all humans and we all feel the same things, even if we react to what we feel differently. if you were to write about a hero/heroine, interview a few of your male/female friends and ask them what theyd do if a particular traumitizing or exciting event happened to them. naturally they would feel the same as you, but they would react differently, so that's really what the difference would be between a hero and a heroine

when i read the "hero vs. heroin.?" part of your question, I immediately thought of writing a book with a hero actually versing [sp?] a heroine, which i think is a great idea. if you dont take it, i will lol

Answer 6

Yes, you can. But it might be a good idea to read stories with female characters, written by female writers. I would suggest "Clan of the Cave Bear". You might also check some of the chick-lit books that are so popular now.
Get an idea of what is believable.

Answer 7

Well, in my opinion, for what it is worth, since no one seems to have given you any constructive criticism, you need to be better at your spelling. Heroine is spelled with an 'e'. It doesn't end in an 'n'. When you end the word like that you just make hero in could be two words with no space. As for writing from the woman's point of view, I would think you would need to talk to many women before you have such an idea ahead.

Answer 8

Yes I would have to agree with Stephinie about writing about a female. And of course you are probally going to model this after some girl but at least with the internet you can throw around some ideas for dialoge and such and see what kind of reaction that you are going to get by using any language and situations for your charcters good luck with your writing.

Answer 9

To quote Jack Nicholson (from the move as good as it gets). For a man to write from a woman's point of view he just has to imagine a man without responsibility or accountability.

To answer you question. I think a good writer has can easily image a fairly good female, male, imp, unick, or goblin's point of view.

Answer 10

J.K. Rowling is a woman and a lot of people say she captured the challenges and awkwardness of being a teenage boy!