Why men don’t like women authors, and vice versa
The link above leads to an article that discusses the scientific reason behind the different reading preferences of men and women.
In brief, women live in a world of relationships and men don't. This gives men and women different perspectives on life and affect the way men and women choose their fiction.
It also explains the difference between men and women writers working in the same genre. I've noticed that already, that in the work of women writers the character's relationships with one another take on a more prominent role.
Of course, not all men and women are typical of their sex. I've read in a psychology textbook about studies of the brains of homosexual men which showed their brains worked more like the brains of women. I'm sure there are many other individuals who have traits of the opposite gender in their brains.
In addition, women are under pressure from the feminist movement to be more like men. So women writers might censor out their 'girly' writing tendencies out of concern they are not defying 'sexist stereotypes' enough.
I think the important thing for writers is to be true to yourself. If you are a women who writes like a woman or a man who writes like a man, don't try to change it. And if you are atypical, write the way you feel. You only have one brain in your lifetime. Don't try to write like someone whose brain is wired differently from yours.
How about you? Do you like writers of your own sex better than those of the opposite sex? Do you think you write more like a man or like a woman? Does that bother you?
My Facebook writing page:
http://www.facebook.com/NissaAnnakindt
Interesting comparison, Nissa. I read the article and it doesn't surprise me. In scifi especially, there does seem to be a gender preference.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I've noticed is that I can usually spot the female writing due to the emphasis on description and items of clothing.
I like reading both, but I admit I'm not terribly interested in the description of military battles, or the rigging on a sailing ship. I want to know what the characters are thinking.
DG is right that there's a gender preference in science fiction. Which is a shame, as I know so many amazing science fiction authors who are women.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about that before. Some genres, like science-fiction, might be true, but I read much more fantasy, and I could care less about the author's sex than the story the author tells.
ReplyDeleteTimothy
I hadn't thought about that before. Some genres, like science-fiction, might be true, but I read much more fantasy, and I could care less about the author's sex than the story the author tells.
ReplyDeleteTimothy
This question has crossed my mind so many times. As a female fantasy writer, I would hope my work appeals to everyone, but still that niggling feeling tells me that my characters are too girly or it's not gritty enough to keep men engaged. However, I'm happy with how I write and am not going to change that, so if I end up losing readers because I'm female then hey! Other option is to publish under initials as opposed to your name so it's not blatantly obvious for those seeking certain gender writers.
ReplyDelete