Comments on: Anatomy of the Male Mind: Women Writing in the Male POV

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 27 May 2009 02:01:28 +0000

Milton (and Adrienne), Thank you for this post it contains some wonderful offerings to take, think though and work with. Your answers have produced more then insight. You make your words entertaining to read and I for one will make an opportunity to read you further. (Not sure about the horror — I scare easily, I’m happy ever after through and true). —– Eric

By: Kit Donner

Kit Donner — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:46:29 +0000

Hi,
I know I’m late here, just read the blog. Thank you so much for explaining the male POV in a short concise manner. It will truly help this female writing.

By: Milton Grasle

Milton Grasle — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:53:35 +0000

Hi, Rod Raglin. Thanks for the opinion. As with the other people who commented, you have given me food for thought. Best, Milton

By: KelseyBrowning

KelseyBrowning — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:48:14 +0000

Comments included here are from Rod Raglin.

Dear Milton,

I write romance (yet unpublished) and am one of two male members in an RWA chapter that numbers about 90.

I’ve had members ask me to critique their work from a male POV. I always tell them that I cannot speak for my gender and that a person’s POV has so many other influences and being a male is just one, and maybe not even that significant.

I appreciate that you had to come up with something for this project but your descriptions of men’s use of language, their decision making process, and their relationship flaws is clichéd and stereotypical. Women writer’s following your advice are likely to come up with a hero that is inarticulate, intransigent, and incomplete – as in one dimensionable.

Women know men – sometimes better than men know themselves. Most know what motivates us though they may not appreciate why. The problem I see with women writing a male POV is the point you mentioned, they are uncomfortable with certain aspects about the male psyche – our competitiveness, our perceived insensitivity, and our testosterone fueled machismo. They want to create a hero that does not have these unflattering characteristics – in reality, not a real man, from a literary point of view.

As writer’s – male or female – we need to dig deep, look beyond the superficial for what’s unique not what’s common, push the boundaries to create realistic, complex, one-of-a-kind characters – just like the people we interact with every day.

There is, however, one distinct difference between men and women you fail to point out, but is evident in the responses to your comments. Women are not as critical as us guys.

Thanks, Milton, for sticking your neck out, and thanks to the creators of this forum for giving me the opportunity to comment.

Rod

By: brwniydgirl

Thu, 21 May 2009 18:46:31 +0000

Great post! I agree with Jennifer M, I love articles regarding male POV.

By: Jennifer M

Jennifer M — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:29:11 +0000

Another great post. I love articles regarding male POV. This one was very helpful and informative as were all the wonderful comments. Thanks.

By: Milton Grasle

Milton Grasle — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:49:52 +0000

Hi, Candace Hillier. I’d written a spy espionage novel with a father and daughter team as Government agents. Their relationship was the typical ‘father critiquing and teaching his daughter the savvy ways of the Agent. I think I made it easy on myself when writing in the female pov with the daughter. She was pretty much the average woman when it came to everyday things. But when the going got tough she transformed immediately. I basically almost gave her a male pov when it came to fighting and weapons and the extremely hard decisions some agents have to make. I also consulted with my wife and other women to make sure that kind of male pov would work with a female character. Believe me, I made my share of mistakes. I think that’s why critique groups and stuff like we’re doing here today is so important. I probably learned as much today, if not more than anyone else. The questions from the group were really thought provoking. I wish I had a better answer for men writing in the female pov. I guess we just need to hang together and help each other. Best, Milton.

By: Tracey Devlyn

Tracey Devlyn — Thu, 21 May 2009 00:31:37 +0000

Thanks, Milton, for your insight into these thought-provoking questions. I’m sure you’re really busy, so we appreciate you taking so much time answering our questions. Adrienne’s always singing your praises, and now I know why!

Take care, Tracey

By: Candace Hillier

Candace Hillier — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:33:41 +0000

Hi Milton, thank you for taking the time to help us ladies with the male mind.

It seems books stores are filled with the female mind and very little with the male,so it’s great having this input. I find when I write in the male POV, I often ask myself WWHD? What would hubby do? Luckily I have a soldier/small town newf/espionage/father/geeky man boy for a husband. But when times call for a little more class, I try to put myself as the man and turn off that “oh but what if” gene. I guess what I am curious about is when you write in a female POV, what methods do you take to capture her essence?

By: Milton Grasle

Milton Grasle — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:44:50 +0000

Hi, Margie Porter. I agree with your take on men appearing simple and keeping the complex out of sight. Thanks, Milton.