tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post4367234468875687681..comments2024-03-28T10:41:26.999-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Men Are Not Women With Chest Hair - Terry OdellDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-9427510982065049572013-12-29T19:37:55.003-07:002013-12-29T19:37:55.003-07:00well....I think that each character needs to be th...well....I think that each character needs to be their own. Some of us are women with chest hair---errhemm so to speak.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-67858856030906463362013-12-19T10:47:00.598-07:002013-12-19T10:47:00.598-07:00Terry, a second reading of this magnificent post i...Terry, a second reading of this magnificent post is just what I needed today - it's more in the context of my writing since I have a male protagonist on my hands in this romance novella. Such lovely affirmation - thank you!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-86496397500705504332013-12-19T09:17:51.795-07:002013-12-19T09:17:51.795-07:00True -- and I wish I could remember the reference,...True -- and I wish I could remember the reference, but at a workshop, the presenter quoted physiological data about a "hormone wash" that takes place in utero that has a lot to do with determining the levels of sexuality. However, as writers, we can't stray too far afield from reader expectation without a good deal of setup. We've all read books where we say, 'that author can't write men/women worth beans" and it's usually when they're writing the opposite gender. Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-17529611509527244792013-12-19T09:04:04.971-07:002013-12-19T09:04:04.971-07:00There are varying levels of masculine and feminine...There are varying levels of masculine and feminine and I find the personality traits to be more reflective of how people really are. I think society has promoted the male/John Wayne, female/Mae West stereotypes for so long that people take them for granted. Humans are far more fluid and variable than gender stereotypes allow for. I know men who make far better homemakers and hands-on parents and women who are happier out in the field drilling oil pipelines. The variation of personality types have their own unique way of looking at romance, relationships, and sex. Some women prefer diamonds, others prefer diamond drill bits. To some sex is a physical release, to others it is a sacred ritual. That's why I'm so passionate about my books series and blog. I hope to help writers build more believable, three-dimensional characters.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-17872288511519215502012-02-23T18:33:43.857-07:002012-02-23T18:33:43.857-07:00Kathryn - there are no absolutes, and with people,...Kathryn - there are no absolutes, and with people, there are lots of variables. We have to deal with generalizations, but we also have to be aware when we're going astray so we can make sure we explain everything to our readers when we go against type.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-56492022375979373482012-02-23T18:30:09.400-07:002012-02-23T18:30:09.400-07:00Sorry—Blogger has autocorrect? That was supposed t...Sorry—Blogger has autocorrect? That was supposed to be "begging" for distraction!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-84133691796443758842012-02-23T18:24:26.160-07:002012-02-23T18:24:26.160-07:00Terry, sorry I'm late to the party but I had t...Terry, sorry I'm late to the party but I had to go underground to finish up some novel edits. You wrote:<br /><br />Some observations: Men tend to focus on one thing at a time. She compared them to a rifle: one shot, one direction. Women tend to be more like shotguns, with shells scattering their contents in a wide array. Men are less likely to get sidetracked. <br /><br />This is absolutely not true in my marriage (refer to "went underground to finish novel," above). My husband is the most distractible person I know, almost begin for interruption, where I love nothing more than to shut out the world and sink deeply into a project. In a similar fashion, it's fun to go against type when creating characters.<br /><br />Although I totally get it about different reading styles and desires. Anyway, I really enjoyed reading this thoughtful post, and I'll NEVER forget its title!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-47316607722551075952012-02-22T19:57:31.161-07:002012-02-22T19:57:31.161-07:00Thanks, Karen. Our old bed was a water bed with in...Thanks, Karen. Our old bed was a water bed with individual tubes, and Hubster's side was very soft, while mine was firm. But he'd still come over to my side after I got up. And I guess nobody messes with Linda Howard.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-5259636852231486212012-02-22T19:41:08.699-07:002012-02-22T19:41:08.699-07:00I always come away with new and interesting inform...I always come away with new and interesting information when I read your posts, Terry. We have a sleep number bed with a pretty big variance on each side, so we may 'encroach' but don't actually end up on either side! Loved Linda Howard's way of settling the argument.Karen Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01879661976460705463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-49601444570003571122012-02-22T08:43:03.962-07:002012-02-22T08:43:03.962-07:00Kathy - thanks, and I'm glad you enjoyed the p...Kathy - thanks, and I'm glad you enjoyed the post and my books!Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-32181825908685701032012-02-21T22:33:43.587-07:002012-02-21T22:33:43.587-07:00I loved your post Terry how funny. I have another ...I loved your post Terry how funny. I have another author that has tips on writing from a male point of view that is Keri Arthur. She's Austrailian and writes paranormal romantic suspense. I love your books by the way.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05983209367295987926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-69457565898979301052012-02-21T20:40:17.539-07:002012-02-21T20:40:17.539-07:00Maryann, research is always good! I do have a coup...Maryann, research is always good! I do have a couple of contacts--one SWAT, one army, who have been very helpful in keeping me on track.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-10580559029972321292012-02-21T20:38:40.626-07:002012-02-21T20:38:40.626-07:00I think it is a good idea to read out of the genre...I think it is a good idea to read out of the genres we write in. Not only does it stretch us as readers it can help us understand the POV of the opposite sex. I have read some men's action adventure books so I could get a better sense of how to write action scenes.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-10752616614992169322012-02-21T20:14:08.473-07:002012-02-21T20:14:08.473-07:00Stephsco - there's a reason they call some mov...Stephsco - there's a reason they call some movies chick flicks.<br /><br />Heidi - thanks. Hope you got something to think about.<br /><br />Lynne - true. Since I write romantic suspense, it's virtually a "law" that I have to show both male and female POV characters. And I want to make them as true to their gender as I can. Of course, there's a long continuum of behaviors, but I don't want readers saying, "A guy would never do/say that."Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-37312381352795812172012-02-21T19:45:35.157-07:002012-02-21T19:45:35.157-07:00LOL! You know, I live with three men (two are my s...LOL! You know, I live with three men (two are my sons, so not as exciting as it sounds). I hadn't really thought about it, but you're right. The boys can go into excruciating detail about all things related to war, death and destruction. They make my eyes glaze over sometimes. Guess I'd better grab a cup of coffee and some toothpicks to prop open my eyes next time they start talking about gun calibers and such. ;)<br /><br />And here I thought hubby rolled over to my side of the bed because he's a bed hog. :)<br /><br />Thanks for the reminders. It's good to think about when we're writing, especially when we're writing from the POV of the opposite sex.Lynne Kensingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18300820774042407264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-5783901841930736032012-02-21T13:56:16.941-07:002012-02-21T13:56:16.941-07:00This is quite interesting--I hadn't realized t...This is quite interesting--I hadn't realized the difference, but it makes sense. Good post!Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-70264901584185684742012-02-21T12:10:51.720-07:002012-02-21T12:10:51.720-07:00This touches on why Twilight caught on so much wit...This touches on why Twilight caught on so much with female readers. Even I got swept away in the first book; it took me back to high school with that feeling of longing for the gorgeous and unattainable boy, the conflicted emotions, the self-doubt. <br /><br />The books describe in excrutiating detail every facet of Bella's crush on Edward - which really is a deep, epic devotion. But translated to a movie, it lacks a bit of punch. While I connected to the book, in the movie I wanted to see more bad vampires, fights or something. The movie trailers showed an action packed racing through the woods thriller, so I get why guys felt duped when they got 2 hours of teens pining for each other.Stephscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-70733951729696708862012-02-21T10:32:55.763-07:002012-02-21T10:32:55.763-07:00I've joined a book club since moving up here, ...I've joined a book club since moving up here, and it's pushing me WAY out of my comfort zone as a reader. Not sure I could WRITE very far out of my comfort zone--not if I wanted to sell, anyway.Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-59492075641725866022012-02-21T10:19:55.734-07:002012-02-21T10:19:55.734-07:00I confess along with Terry - no Sparks for me eith...I confess along with Terry - no Sparks for me either. Er... maybe I should rephrase that. ;D I wonder if we should have a theme month challenging our readers to get out of their comfort zones - whether in writing or reading. Could be interesting, and I'd gain from it. What do you think?Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-82469098503330952932012-02-21T08:52:15.283-07:002012-02-21T08:52:15.283-07:00Linda - I'll confess here in public that I'...Linda - I'll confess here in public that I've never read him.<br /><br />Stacy - glad this could prove usefulTerry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-46211632496167704292012-02-21T08:05:25.461-07:002012-02-21T08:05:25.461-07:00Great post, Terry! It's good to read these rem...Great post, Terry! It's good to read these reminders every couple months to keep it in the front of my mind while writing. I'll have to flag this post for when I start my next RS.Stacey Joy Netzelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13908548379784017162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-41876493379938143912012-02-21T08:02:19.153-07:002012-02-21T08:02:19.153-07:00And then we have Nicholas Sparks.And then we have Nicholas Sparks.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06686488133905538811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-60194876626805347822012-02-21T07:22:21.130-07:002012-02-21T07:22:21.130-07:00Larry - we write what we're comfortable writin...Larry - we write what we're comfortable writing. It's learning how to get out of that comfort zone that presents the challenge.<br /><br />Mooderino - of course, you have to take your readership into account, but there's a way to remain true to your character and not turn off readers. I'd skirted an action scene in one of my books, and my editor insisted I put it on the page, so it helps to be able to "see" things from both angles.<br /><br />Christopher - I've been told I handle the male POV well. Maybe both our chains are being yanked!Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-70960302241698811772012-02-21T06:47:57.477-07:002012-02-21T06:47:57.477-07:00Writing scenes from a woman's POV is challengi...Writing scenes from a woman's POV is challenging for me, but my female editor says they ring more or less true ... she could be just jerking my chain ... I'm not sure I can trust her.Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-57754209085220567982012-02-21T02:25:15.122-07:002012-02-21T02:25:15.122-07:00Very interesting post, Terry. I think what you say...Very interesting post, Terry. I think what you say is true, but as well as how men/women prefer to write a particular type of scene, there's also how they prefer to read said scene. <br /><br />There's no point writing a very accurate male pov if it turns off you female readership, so finding a balance and a way to integrate that voice into the tone of your story is important, I think.<br /><br />mood<br /><a href="http://moodywriting.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Moody Writing</a><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/mooderino" rel="nofollow">@mooderino</a><br /><a href="http://www.scoop.it/t/the-funnily-enough" rel="nofollow">The Funnily Enough</a>mooderinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523337588830695638noreply@blogger.com