Can you tell if an author is male or female?

[lovecraft68]

Received a pretty long and well written critique on a couple of my stories today. The person made a comment that he generally doesn't send comments because most authors never respond-especially if the entire remark isn't you're the best! (which this one was not) but I always request it in my closing authors notes so he did.

I responded to him on all his points and in his reply(and I have to say I feel bad when people act surprised when an author gets back to them) he made this remark

As a final note, and I hesitated about including this as I'm not sure what, if anything, you'll make of it, but upon reading your response I'll admit I was very surprised to find out you're a female author. A personal hobby of mine when reading is to try and pick up the clues and hints that give a little insight into the author. Several turns of phrase used in your story had me absolutely convinced that you were a male author and just exceptionally talented at writing from the female perspective. If nothing else, I'm glad I wrote you for that reason alone.

So obviously this was a case of always go with your first instinct because I'm not female, but do write the majority of my work from female POV (in fact only my mother/son stories are from male POV)

My question is when reading a story can you tell if the author is male or female? How do you determine? And do you really care one way or another?

So far I had one author here specifically point out that my sex scenes "scream" male, but I seem to have the majority fooled. I suppose the little av of the redhead on my profile page doesn't hurt either

 

[sr71plt]

Sometimes, yes. Always? No.

 

[lovecraft68]

Sometimes, yes. Always? No.

When its yes, what's your "tip off"? phrases? certain descriptions?

A person who "outed me" said it was because I did a scene where the guy went from ass to mouth. According to this person a woman would never write that, its a "guy thing"

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Female authors are obsessed with appearances and cosmetic issues, there's no depth to their characters. I cant imagine any female writer describing panty-lines beneath double-knit polyester pants.

 

[lovecraft68]

Female authors are obsessed with appearances and cosmetic issues, there's no depth to their characters. I cant imagine any female writer describing panty-lines beneath double-knit polyester pants.

Interesting take, I have always felt women pay more attention to little things.

I know one alleged tip off is men say "Tits" and women will usually say "breasts" but I feel those may be generalizations.

 

[jomar]

Female authors tend to write the internal dialog, feelings, reactions and insecurities. See Patricia Cornwell for an excessively brooding example.

Male authors are quippier, females more introspective.

 

[LadyVer]

I can usually tell..I've been wrong once.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Female authors tend to write the internal dialog, feelings, reactions and insecurities. See Patricia Cornwell for an excessively brooding example.

Male authors are quippier, females more introspective.

That's true. I was recently thumbing thru a romance, and its larded with internal dialog

 

[SecondCircle]

A little while back, someone emailed me with feedback on a story and wanted to ask me about it, and after we swapped emails, the person referred to me as "girl" as in "keep it up girl."

I'm not really sure what brought them to the conclusion. There isn't anything in my profile or anywhere else that could be misleading. The story was from a female's POV, so maybe that was it.

After reading this thread, I tend to agree with most of what was said, but honestly I don't think my writing is that black and white, as far as the "internal feelings" and stuff. I try to sort of become the character I'm writing, so I can see through their eyes, react the way they would realistically, and feel the way they would feel. This, by a logic that is not wrong, would make me a female writer. Heh. Nice.

I suppose I still write like a dude though. I've been called out for chicks doing stuff they wouldn't, or not doing stuff they probably would.

I personally can't tell sometimes, unless of course it is obvious by the name, and even that ain't always a good indicator. But I guess it's because I don't normally pay much attention to it.

But if everyone wants I could be a chick. I just don't think I'd be that pretty...

 

[lovecraft68]

A little while back, someone emailed me with feedback on a story and wanted to ask me about it, and after we swapped emails, the person referred to me as "girl" as in "keep it up girl."

I'm not really sure what brought them to the conclusion. There isn't anything in my profile or anywhere else that could be misleading. The story was from a female's POV, so maybe that was it.

After reading this thread, I tend to agree with most of what was said, but honestly I don't think my writing is that black and white, as far as the "internal feelings" and stuff. I try to sort of become the character I'm writing, so I can see through their eyes, react the way they would realistically, and feel the way they would feel. This, by a logic that is not wrong, would make me a female writer. Heh. Nice.

I suppose I still write like a dude though. I've been called out for chicks doing stuff they wouldn't, or not doing stuff they probably would.

I personally can't tell sometimes, unless of course it is obvious by the name, and even that ain't always a good indicator. But I guess it's because I don't normally pay much attention to it.

But if everyone wants I could be a chick. I just don't think I'd be that pretty...

Hence my abuse for the "ass to mouth" scene which I got a few remarks on especially how unsanitary it is. Porn people, its porn.

But as far as what girls will do, some use that as the measuring stick, but c'mon there are girls who will do it all and I mean all, so who makes up that rule anyway?

 

[SecondCircle]

Yeah, it does sorta rub me when people tell me that a guy or girl wouldn't do something, not because of realism cuz I understand that, but because of some generalized preconception of what a woman would do or how a guy would act or whatever.

If someone told me "no woman would do that ass to mouth stuff, not a real woman" I would firstly call bullshit because believe it or not, they exist. Secondly, I would tell them "well I'm giving you one that will. Enjoy it, or move on to the next kink."

In the world of fiction, as long as we write it well enough, anything is possible.

 

[lovecraft68]

Yeah, it does sorta rub me when people tell me that a guy or girl wouldn't do something, not because of realism cuz I understand that, but because of some generalized preconception of what a woman would do or how a guy would act or whatever.

If someone told me "no woman would do that ass to mouth stuff, not a real woman" I would firstly call bullshit because believe it or not, they exist. Secondly, I would tell them "well I'm giving you one that will. Enjoy it, or move on to the next kink."

In the world of fiction, as long as we write it well enough, anything is possible.

What's funny was this was a mother/son incest story during which the mother found out the husband was cheating on her so got even by sleeping with her son.

That they had no problem believing, but ass to mouth? Oh, hell no!

 

[Ironiclaconic]

I think I can tell, but with the Internet you can never be sure. The main thing that jumps out at me is characterization. Authors are typically writing their own sex fantasies. Male authors write women as gorgeous slutty sex goddesses, funny girl-next door types who are hellcats in the sack, perfect submissives, or bitches who need a good strong man to tame them. Female authors write their men as Mr. Darcy, perfect dominants, strong silent types, or brooding intellectual rebels. Conversely, the lead character that is same gender as the author will be a realistic character with a mix of kindness, insecurities, petty grudges, and thwarted aspirations.

 

[mynameisben]

I can always tell. You just pull down their pants.

 

[lovecraft68]

I can always tell. You just pull down their pants.

No thanks, you seen some of the people who post here?

 

[Stella_Omega]

Hence my abuse for the "ass to mouth" scene which I got a few remarks on especially how unsanitary it is.

I have the same thing, but nobody's ever called me out on it-- possibly because the character acknowledges that in the story. She doesn't pretend it's no big thing.

I think I can tell, but with the Internet you can never be sure. The main thing that jumps out at me is characterization. Authors are typically writing their own sex fantasies. Male authors write women as gorgeous slutty sex goddesses, funny girl-next door types who are hellcats in the sack, perfect submissives, or bitches who need a good strong man to tame them. Female authors write their men as Mr. Darcy, perfect dominants, strong silent types, or brooding intellectual rebels. Conversely, the lead character that is same gender as the author will be a realistic character with a mix of kindness, insecurities, petty grudges, and thwarted aspirations.

I've been nodding in agreement with, and admiration of, you quite a lot lately.

Just wanted to say that.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Hence my abuse for the "ass to mouth" scene which I got a few remarks on especially how unsanitary it is. Porn people, its porn.

But as far as what girls will do, some use that as the measuring stick, but c'mon there are girls who will do it all and I mean all, so who makes up that rule anyway?

I know women who do ass to mouth. I know for certain.

I don't write anything I haven't done or seen done, and plenty of folks think I make it up.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I think I can tell, but with the Internet you can never be sure. The main thing that jumps out at me is characterization. Authors are typically writing their own sex fantasies. Male authors write women as gorgeous slutty sex goddesses, funny girl-next door types who are hellcats in the sack, perfect submissives, or bitches who need a good strong man to tame them. Female authors write their men as Mr. Darcy, perfect dominants, strong silent types, or brooding intellectual rebels. Conversely, the lead character that is same gender as the author will be a realistic character with a mix of kindness, insecurities, petty grudges, and thwarted aspirations.

I don't. I write lardos with bad teeth, and all kinds. Its a Faulkner thing. I'm reading A LIGHT IN AUGUST, and he did the same, the women are blemished. Ditto Steinbeck, his women are always damaged.

 

[Ironiclaconic]

I have the same thing, but nobody's ever called me out on it-- possibly because the character acknowledges that in the story. She doesn't pretend it's no big thing.
I've been nodding in agreement with, and admiration of, you quite a lot lately.

Just wanted to say that.

/blush

 

[Ironiclaconic]

I don't. I write lardos with bad teeth, and all kinds. Its a Faulkner thing. I'm reading A LIGHT IN AUGUST, and he did the same, the women are blemished. Ditto Steinbeck, his women are always damaged.

Wasn't intending to be universal, just pointing to the easiest tell. One of my own stories, and one of my favorites, has a lead female deep in the throes of mental illness, more fitting male nightmares than wet dreams. I still think readers could tell my gender on other cues (word choice, male lead not sufficiently alpha, "quippier" tone as others indicated). I think a good author could disguise their writing pretty easily. I am pretty sure I could write a romance under a female pseudonym and pass, but I wouldn't enjoy the experience, which was partly my point. We ain't writing for money here, hence you can usually spot gender by identifying whose sexual fantasies are being worked out on the page.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I don't know whether it's my writing or my avatar or my sig pic but I regularly get emails thinking I'm a chick. Odd . . .

 

[curious12154]

Female authors are obsessed with appearances and cosmetic issues, there's no depth to their characters. I cant imagine any female writer describing panty-lines beneath double-knit polyester pants.

I find that pretty insulting.

Surely its the talent of the writer which would determine the depth of a character - therefore implying women are less talented than their male counterparts?

 

[Tio_Narratore]

I don't know whether it's my writing or my avatar or my sig pic but I regularly get emails thinking I'm a chick. Odd . . .

I suspect it's the "voluptuary" in your nom de plume that gives them the idea that you're female. They don't know what the "manque" refers to, but expectations of concordance would lead them to see the "que" as a feminine suffix (cf Angelique).

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Any time I am reading a story by an author I don't know, I assume the author is male. To overcome that presumption, the story must have female fantasies at the core, include the details that females find important, and avoid the language/details/acts that appeal mainly to men.

How do I make this determination? I ask myself, "what would my wife think of this?"

 

[Cruel2BKind]

In my personal experience,

If it's a good story, you can never tell.

It's only in the lower-quality stories that the zanzo-male personalities shine through (or otherwise the overly female personality)