The Word Cloud

Girls and boys – Plots & People

Let’s get controversial, shall we?

We don’t think that men write better than women or vice versa. We don’t think that either has the edge when it comes to literary fiction or commercial fiction. But experience tells us that when things go wrong, they do tend to go wrong in gender-specific ways.

More typically, we find that men produce good, strong plots but have troubles delineating character in a sophisticated rounded way. Conversely, women generally find the characterisation side of things easier and more natural but can get into a right pickle when it comes to producing a decent plot.

Obviously there are loads of exceptions to these generalisations ... but by and large and on the average, I’d say this was pretty much spot on.

Now if we wanted to generate about a million comments on this post, we’d probably go on to say things like ...

Is it any wonder that men have a problem with characterisation? I mean can they talk about anything except beer and football? Aren’t all men only a beercan’s throw from full emotional deaf-mute-blindness?

And is it any wonder that women have a problem with organising plots? I mean, have you ever seen the junk they keep in their handbags? And have you ever forced yourself to sit all the way through a chick-flick?

But of course we wouldn’t want to say any such thing. We just wanted to bring the matter to your attention and ask you very respectfully if you have any comment to make. If you can stop thinking about beer that is, and if you can just stop fiddling with that damn handbag ...

Nowadays most of my books seem to have male protagonists but for a number of years I wrote books with teenage girls as the central characters. This used to puzzle people greatly. Whenever I was asked to speak at conferences, female librarians would frown and ask me, ‘How is it, Mr Keaney, that you are able to get inside the mind of a teenage girl so successfully?’ Quite often on these occasions there would be a female author on the same platform who might have written any number of books with teenage boys as the central characters but it never occurred to anyone to ask her how she managed this remarkable feat.

Judging by the number of posts here this isn't such a polemic as one might think unles as I
I suspect, people don't want to be seen to be sexist (Harry might be an exception of course). For my part vive la differance. There are definite neurophysiological reasons why men and women behave differently with specific tasks and it is not surprising it is expressed in differences in writing. I don't adhere to the concept that women can't write a good plot nor that men are bad at describing characters and emotions. I think the real point is that women use their brains in a different way when describing and writing and the diffenence between us enriches rather than detracts.
Well just a thought.
-Fred

this i an interesting point but as a girl I actually find the opposite - I have the plot ideas but struggle with characterization or maybe my writing is just no good!
I know my characters but how do I get other people to love them too?
anyway hand me that beer and did you see the match last night?

I am undoubtedly male. However, I can't write convincing men, and all my work so far has been 100% character-led. But then I have long hair and carry a shoulder bag. Rather than typcasting myself too much, I would say that as a parent and a professional care worker, I find people more interesting than events.

I think good writing is good writing. If a writer writes well, they do need to fine the masculine & feminine in theirself - or at least fake it reasonably well. It's where writing is less than good that you notice these things more, I reckon. Anyone tried the gender genie? See places to vist on the web (one of the forums in the Discussion page) if you haven't. It's fun, if a bit silly.

Well, according to a New Scientist article I read last time I was pretending to look intelligent on the train, women's brains are suited for grazing, men's for hunting. For example, When buying anything as trivial as a sandwhich or a pair of shoes, men have a raised heartrate compared to female shoppers, more adrenaline and are basically ready for the kill.

I like the idea of my 'ancient instincts' tracking and hunting down a good plot...

A girlfriend of mine once took me shopping for scarves. I was ready for the kill after the first hour. (The first of many hours.) I'm now terrified of getting in touch with my feminine side in case it keeps me up talking all night then decides it needs a scarf.

Oh is that why I can't bear shopping? I've lost touch with my feminine side?
I was brought up by a man who only slunk into a shop with me to buy a skirt when the old one had become a pelmet.
"All right, here's skirts," he would say, folding his arms, "which one do you want?" Back then, I was a girly and needed to mow the whole High St.
I once said "Can I have a new blouse, Dad?" He replied with the immortal line "But you've already got one."
And at fourteen, when I'd tried to doll myself up for my first proper disco - nervous, polyester halter-neck, lilac eyeshadow, the works, he looked at me and asked "Have you got a vest on under that?"
These lines will appear in a forth-coming block-buster so my point is that it's all grist to the mill.
Noticing the difference can make for interesting writing and we're all joke fodder for the other species gender (in the nicest, most creative, possible way).
But I've since turned into my Dad.

Well I guess I don't fall into the regular category of how a woman should behave. I would rather boil my own head than go shopping, I prefer a pint to a glass of wine and I would rather camp than spend the night in a posh hotel. I own one handbag and Ihate it. I own three pairs of shoes.

As for writing? I am much more of a people and emotions sort of person. I like to feel what I am writing. I am descriptive in my writing but often fail to put in enough dialogue. I am just learning.

The Gender Genie thinks I am three times more female than male. I'm cool with that, I'm proud of my feminine side. But I smell a rat. The Gender Genie is American. It works by sampling percentages of 'significant' words. I think the average British male would come out feminine in his use of language by this particular test.

Oh is that why I can't bear shopping? I've lost touch with my feminine side?
I was brought up by a man who only slunk into a shop with me to buy a skirt when the old one had become a pelmet.
"All right, here's skirts," he would say, folding his arms, "which one do you want?" Back then, I was a girly and needed to mow the whole High St.
I once said "Can I have a new blouse, Dad?" He replied with the immortal line "But you've already got one."

Sounds like my dad! I was raised by him and for years, I thought the way to fix trousers that were too long was to turn them inside out and stick some strong duct tape. Turn them back out and voila, the trouser legs were suddenly the perfect length. I must admit, it was a great practical idea (and I'd probably do it again next time I buy trousers that are too long hee hee) Dad's are great. I'd be lost without mine.

Anyway, this was about male and female differences in writing. I find that my biggest problem is describing my surroundings. I am ok with dialogue and I think I'm quite good with plot, but I am just learning.

Yes, I had more than one dress hemmed with sellotape - I never thought of duct tape - it would have been so much stronger. Indeedy, practical is the word for them.

I really had a giggle at these comments.. Harry you know how to stir ever so slightly - I like.

I love the Gender Genie! I recently tried it by plugging in odd extracts from the dialogue in my screenplay to see if I was writing along the right lines for both male and female players. It guessed the gender of my characters correctly every single time. But one thing occurs: If you are in touch with both feminine and masculine sides of yourself, what does that make you? A 'literal cross-dresser'?...I'm ever so slightly concerned now. (Loved the comments by the way.)

Dear ever-so-slightly concerned.

Dear Auntie Muriel.

Thanks ever so. But I continue to take the tablets and I've upped the dosage.

Anyone else taking Testoestrogen?

Kim ;o)

Just checked with the Genie again. I'm still resoundingly female. And proud of it.

You carry your handbag well, John... hee he

John, welcome to the knitting bee. I favour raglan sleeves, how about you?

I can darn a sock. Or I could, 25 years ago.

LOL - not a little red cape?

Funny you should say that...