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Robert Appleton | When a Man Writes a Woman
February 4, 2011
Hi everyone! It’s a real treat to be here at Fresh Fiction. Before I start, I’ve a quick
question to ask you: How often do you read authors outside your own gender? Based on my formative reading material, I should by rights be the worst
chauvinist author imaginable. I’m not kidding when I say the first time I read a
complete book by a female writer was THE LOVELY BONES in 2005.
And before that, most of the female literary characters I’d read were either
barbarian queens or damsels-in-distress, women locked away in modes of male
fantasy inside stories written about men, for men. I know the hero journey
inside out, sideways, jutting jaw to bloody hilt. Growing up with the tales of H
Rider Haggard, Edgar Rice Burroughs and JRR Tolkien will do that to a boy. And
it was wonderful. Wonderful...and incomplete. Then something bizarre happened. Carl Sagan’s rambling but
extraordinary novel, CONTACT, introduced
me to a larger-than-life heroine in a traditionally (at least in my SF) male
pursuit. Ellie Arroway didn’t just dream of becoming an astronomer and
discovering the secrets of the universe, she went out and made it happen. She
had flaws, deep scars from her childhood, and seemed incredibly real to me. But
not only that, she was chasing my dreams, my fantasies and achieving them
with cool intelligence. No simpering pleas for help; no OTT aggression: Ellie
was a genuine woman with a sense of herself in the universe. She was more
complicated than most of the heroes I’d ever read. I was hooked. Later, I devoured Alice
Sebold’s haunting tale of a murdered teenage girl watching her family from
the hereafter, then made a point of sampling work by female authors in every
single genre, including romance and erotica. And somewhere along the way I
discovered my secret for crafting a compelling heroine. Snatch her dream away from her. Now make her find a new one. Knowing a person in real life and knowing how to write her on the page are oddly
incongruous. Describing a person objectively is pretty straightforward. What
you see of her is all she needs be. But getting inside her head, assuming
her subjectivity—her view of herself and the world—is a subtle but vital tweak
of that observation. It requires a shift of perspective, the surrender of one’s
preconceptions. Whether in reading or in writing, you must let the character
walk apart from your own experience enough to discover her. And that was what
Sagan gave me with Ellie Arroway. A woman that, while feminine and nurturing,
didn’t necessarily have to come from Venus. She became my literary template for how to write a three-dimensional
heroine. In my first published book, THE ELEVEN HOUR FALL, I took that
experience and crafted a strong but repressed heroine fighting for survival on a
barren alien world. The man of her dreams, unconscious in her arms, needed
rescuing for half the book. When he finally woke up, Kate Borrowdale wasn’t
about to let him call the shots like he was some Edgar Rice Burroughs hero. No
chance. My Kate stood her ground and took her licks ahead of him over two
subsequent books, becoming my first and still-favourite heroine out of all my
published stories. Over half of them focus on a strong female lead. In my latest, THE MYSTERIOUS
LADY LAW (out now at Carina
Press), steampunk Victorian London is the setting for an unusual battle of
wits between two strong but (appropriately for the era) feminine characters.
Here’s the set-up: In a time of grand airships and steam-powered cars, the death of a penniless
young maid will hardly make the front page. But part-time airship waitress and
music hall dancer Julia Bairstow is shattered by her sister’s murder. When Lady
Law, the most notorious private detective in Britain, offers to investigate the
case pro bono, Julia jumps at the chance—even against the advice of
constable Al Grant, who takes her protection surprisingly to heart. Lady Law puts Scotland Yard to shame. She’s apprehended Jack the Ripper and
solved countless other cold-case crimes. No one knows how she does it, but it’s
brought her fortune, renown, and even a title. But is she really what she claims
to be—a genius at deducting? Or is Al right and she is not be trusted? Julia is determined to find out the truth, even if it means turning sleuth
herself—and turning the tables on Lady Law… I’d never have predicted it before I was published, but editors, reviewers and
fellow writers alike now remark on the consistent balance I achieve in my female
characters: “the heroine is a strong woman without being a Wonderwoman clone. She is
assertive without being strident and emotional without being shrill.” I think one of the main reasons I enjoy writing women is because, in a literary
sense, they were a mystery to me for so long. And in genre fiction, they have
more of an underdog quality; in some ways, they have to endure much more to
achieve the same heroic status as a male hero. I can write a strong hero in my
sleep; but a heroine as admirable, driven and complicated as Ellie Arroway—well,
let’s just say I thrive on a challenge. Here are a few of my science fiction women and their day jobs: Kate Borrowdale (The Eleven Hour Fall Trilogy)—deep space terrain scout, survivalist Godiva Randall (Godiva in the Firing Line)—paratrooper, NCO Varinia Wilcox (Sparks in Cosmic Dust)—ex-model turned deep space prospector Steffi Savannah (The Mythmakers)—deep space smuggler, captain of her own vessel Julia Bairstow (The Mysterious Lady Law)—airship waitress, music hall dancer Harriet Law (The Mysterious Lady Law)—a notorious private investigator Bianca Burnett (Grandiloquence)—pop starlet who hides her high IQ Evelyn Lyons (Claire De Lune, co-written by Sloane Taylor)—beauty queen with a
dark secret
What is your experience of men writing women? Or men women writing men? Robert Appleton
Buy THE MYSTERIOUS LADY LAW at Carina Press Comment to win your own copy of THE MYSTERIOUS LADY LAW
Comments
56 comments posted.
Re: Robert Appleton | When a Man Writes a Woman
would love to win a copy of this book sounds great
(Lilian Gamble 3:38am February 4, 2011)
This book sounds fascinating and very deep.
(Joanne Reynolds 6:19am February 4, 2011)
Wow, does this sound terrific! I like the Victorian time frame aspect and strong women are appealing in a story.
(Karen Gervasi 6:38am February 4, 2011)
As long as the characters are compelling, it doesn't matter who is writing them! James Patterson's Murder Club is a whole series with women protagonists. Agatha Christie never seemed to have a problem writing Hercule Poirot, either. Thanks for an interesting column and good luck with the book.
(G S Moch 11:10am February 4, 2011)
I love the setting for this book. I look forward to reading it. Thank you
(Barbara Ryan 11:37am February 4, 2011)
I think a good writer can do either---I like light mysteries when I'm stressed out and Lillian Jackson Braun did a super job with characterization of Jim Quilleran--I felt like he was a real person.
(Sue Farrell 11:54am February 4, 2011)
This book sounds really interesting. I definitely will read it.
(Cheryl Lynne 11:54am February 4, 2011)
Looking forward to reading this novel.
(Sally Lincoln 12:13pm February 4, 2011)
This sounds like a book I would enjoy reading.
(Anna Speed 12:40pm February 4, 2011)
I definitely enjoy trying out different genre and authors that I wouldn't expect to. Often I have found that pearl lurking where I wouldn't otherwise have looked.
(Heather Pearson 12:47pm February 4, 2011)
I tend to read anything that catches my fancy at the moment. It seems to me that a good writer does need to explore all parts of them selves, and write accordingly. Men writing women or women writing men, what difference does it make?
(Elizabeth Parzino 12:48pm February 4, 2011)
When I read She's Come Undone, I kept having to look at the cover to convince myself that, yes, Wally Lamb is a man! And I LOVE Nicholas Sparks - he always manages to get inside a woman's head so beautifully!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 12:49pm February 4, 2011)
Oh, a STEAMPUNK!!! I'm devouring everything in this genre, it's so exciting.
You know, I don't really mind which gender the author is as long as it's a good book!!!
Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 12:57pm February 4, 2011)
I would love to win a copy of this novel. It sounds very intriguing!
(Amy Siggelow 1:05pm February 4, 2011)
I'm a little surprise to realize that when it comes to fiction I read almost exclusively women. My main concern is that the characters ring true.
(Maria Munoz 1:21pm February 4, 2011)
I do read more novels by women authors, but some of my favorite series are by men.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 1:23pm February 4, 2011)
As long as the characters are believable and the story a page
turner, I don't care if a dog does the writing.
(Lisa Richards 1:41pm February 4, 2011)
I wonder why women are mysterious to men. It's men that I don't understand! I would love to read your book.
(Carol Wong 1:57pm February 4, 2011)
It's funny that you asked that question. I just got done reading the book Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. When I chose the book, I didn't pick it because of the author. I'm not familiar with him. I looked at the story line. Anyway, the book was so good that I couldn't put it down, and I was amazed that a man could write a book which revolved around romance so well. I didn't notice the author at the time I got it. When I have the time to read, and I'm in a hurry, I'll take books off the shelf that suit my mood, without looking at the authors. I've found some good new authors that way, being of both sexes.
(Peggy Roberson 2:06pm February 4, 2011)
I read both (characters and authors) who are men and women. Some are better than others.
(Shannon Scott 2:40pm February 4, 2011)
I believe some authors can write characters really well, and some just can't. Even though I really like Cormac Mccarthy, I don't think he writes woman characters very well. On the other hand, I think Stephen King, can do female characters extremely well. I think it just depends on the auther.
[email protected]
(Debbie Penny 2:44pm February 4, 2011)
I really enjoy a good suspenseful mystery. I want a good read and find that men and women authors have a good sense of drawing in the reader with the story line which is the main object. I enjoy Joseph Finders books which offer a different type of suspense. When I need to get away from the mystery mode, I tend to draw on a modern romance or classic to even my reading genre.
(Rosemary Simm 2:48pm February 4, 2011)
I would like to read this book. Sounds really intring. I sort of read a little of both women and men.
(Diane Castiglione 3:05pm February 4, 2011)
I have't read one your books, it sounds interesting. Thanks for giving me a chance to win it.
(Linda Hall 3:45pm February 4, 2011)
I think writing the opposite sex is like so many other things.
Some writers do it well and others...well, not so well. I've
never read steampunk and everyone tells me I must try it so
hopefully I win your book.
(Jodi Webb 3:52pm February 4, 2011)
I've never really paid attention to whether or not the autohor was male or female and how that might affect the way a particular gender is written. I just go along with the ride the story is taking me one and enjoy it or don't.
I like the synopsis for your book and I hope I win so that I can read it soon.
(Tamara Burks 4:54pm February 4, 2011)
I love steampunk stories, your book sound interesting. To answer your question-when I read male authors, their main characters are usually men.
(Yuka Liew 5:06pm February 4, 2011)
With a good plot and unforgettable characters, it doesn't matter which gender is writing about them!
(Lisa Garrett 5:15pm February 4, 2011)
When a man writes a woman fantasies MUST creep in.
(Mary Preston 5:23pm February 4, 2011)
I read a ton of books by men. Some of my favorite are: Jim Butcher, Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston and Joe Lansdale. I read sveral female authors whose main characters are male and I wonder why never a female (Rob Thurman for one). Dean James writes a mystery under a woman's name about a female waitress which I enjoy. I also like his vampire series where the main character (male) writes bodice rippers. I don't care what gender writes about what gender as long as it's a good story.
(Anne Muller 5:45pm February 4, 2011)
Gender does not enter into my reading. I look for good plot, strong characters
and limited sex and violence and a book I don't want to put down and, when I
do, the next in the series ready for reading NOW.
(Sandra Spilecki 6:21pm February 4, 2011)
You can't tell the sex from the name of an author; both men and women can use pen names of the opposite gender. Sometimes, the gender of the author name is a clue to the outlook of the book. I don't pay a lot of attention to the sex of the author. I'm more interested in the plot synopsis.
(Carol Drummond 6:59pm February 4, 2011)
I generally read femal authors, but if the book is in Fresh Fiction I'd love to try it.
(Diane Sallans 7:01pm February 4, 2011)
Please enter me in your drawing. I could care less if an author is a male or female. I just love good books!
(Linda Townsend 7:08pm February 4, 2011)
I just like to read :-). Count me in on the draw!
(Zita Hildebrandt 7:22pm February 4, 2011)
I too, write a female protagonist in my upcoming series, and honestly, I think I have more fun writing a female character than a male one. Perhaps it's the women's studies courses from college or the fact the best friends I've had in life have been women. At least from the male perspective, I find women more compelling and intriguing to write about. Have I done a decent job of it? Readers will tell me in April, hopefully.
(Jim Duncan 8:33pm February 4, 2011)
Yes SIR. Need a good book. Thank-you.
(John Fry 8:39pm February 4, 2011)
I want to think it's an equal opportunity thing to cross paths and embody the opposite sex at least in writing. I'll leave it to the imagination, because that's what writers do. Stories help shape communication and understanding about relationships if you look at motivations, intentions and just human nature in general.
(Alyson Widen 8:41pm February 4, 2011)
Putting this on my "to read" list!
(Denise Malia 8:52pm February 4, 2011)
I would love to win this book! Please count me in!
(Brenda Rupp 8:54pm February 4, 2011)
From a librarian in Michigan: Fiction is #1 at my branch library, especially if you add mystery and historical to the book's description!
(Jackie Merritt 9:01pm February 4, 2011)
In memory of all the years I spent as a lady in law, I'd sure love to win this book .... thought I surely don't miss those jailhouse visits!
(Mary Lou Loyanich 9:04pm February 4, 2011)
I would love to win this book. I am always on the prowl for new books.
(Chris Noe 9:24pm February 4, 2011)
I'm not driven to read a book based on an author's gender, although if I look back on it, I'd say that most of my reading-by-choice books, as a young person, were written by women; most of my assigned-at-school books were written by men.
I do find books by female authors generally easier to read.
Good topic!
(Deborah Rosen 9:51pm February 4, 2011)
This sounds like a very interesting book! I thought Stephen King wrote a great female lead when he wrote Lisey's Story.
(Renee Pajda 9:59pm February 4, 2011)
I read both genders about equally. Reading is my passion! As long as the story is interesting enough to let me escape reality for awhile, that is enough for me. Love a good mystery and trying to figure it out before I get to the end. Thanks for the contest. Look forward to reading this soon.
(Teresa Ward 10:23pm February 4, 2011)
On of my favorite female characters written by a man is Cassiopeia Vitt by Steve Berry. She tends to be in many of the Cotton Malone stories and she's strong, sassy and very dangerous. She's amazing!
(MaryAnne Banks 8:54am February 5, 2011)
I've never been into stories with too much sex in them - I find it distracting. It's my experience that men don't write the mushy page after page love scenes in their stories that many women thriller writers do. I like that!
(Molly Wilsbacher 9:00am February 5, 2011)
I like new authors- i don't really read a lot of stories by men because i just haven't noticed them - thank you for bringing them to my attention- I love strong women characters.
(Audra Holtwick 11:17am February 5, 2011)
I have never bothered about the gender of my authors as long
as they write a good story.
I've just recently started reading steampunk and this one
sounds wonderful.
(Ilona Fenton 2:01pm February 5, 2011)
I also do not care if an author is male of female as long as the store is good and the characters have depth.
(Vickie Hightower 4:47pm February 5, 2011)
I grew up on many of the same books and found most female characters to be exactly as you say. Older authors, such as Alexander Dumas, however, make it plain that poor, honest, direct-thinking males are subject to manipulation by all manner of women! Conan Doyle's strongest ever character was forever incomplete without his Irene. Is it possible that the faint away females that perpetually need saving were an early 20th Century phenomenon? I do enjoy your books and am looking forward to the next one(s).
(Susan Driskill 10:22pm February 5, 2011)
I read books by both men and women. As long as the book is good, the gender of the writer doesn't matter.
(Ginger Hinson 11:44pm February 5, 2011)
I think it would take a very sensitive and special man to be able to write about a woman and vice versa. I read books by both female and male authors. I do get angry with my stubborn husband who won't read books by women as he says some of them tend to have too many gossip sessions and crying by the main characters. But if that is part of the story, then so be it! Congratulations on your sensitivity to the female species! I do look forward to reading your book.
(Connie Fischer 11:59am February 6, 2011)
I generally read historical romance and mystery of all types. My husband definately won't read the romance novels but loves the Brother Cadfael mysteries by Ellis Peters (who is a woman).
Since he loves to read I often read Clancy, Archer and Dan Brown (who didn't love the Da Vinci code). Of course when the occasional movie is released we are usually disappointed because they don't meet the expectations of the books.
I'd love to win The Mysterious Lady Law because it sounds like a book we'd both enjoy reading and discussing.
(Jeanne Miro 2:54pm February 6, 2011)
I read many authors that aren't the same gender as myself. I haven't read too many books where the author doesn't connect well.
(Leni Kaye 6:38pm February 6, 2011)
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