The female perspective.

[ElectricBlue]

Lol. Dumped by a playlist.

At least you got the cassette tape. They're de rigueur apparently, so dust off your demagnetiser and celebrate the memory of the bitch!

 

[stickygirl]

I guess the assumed audience plays a role in how well your work should give a realistic image of your characters' perspectives.

Do you really think all of those people watching lesbian videos on the web are interested in the (lesbian) female perspective? I'm quite sure many of those videos are fully aimed at hetero-men and their fantasies, and shaped to cater them.

No doubt, the same goes for many successful stories; I'm quite sure a lot of 'good' stories are written in the way their audience want their characters to think and act, and reality is subservient. Without judgement, 'Fifty Shades' comes to mind.

If you're aiming for Lit's top-lists, for most (if not all) categories you might want to be flexible in getting into your characters' minds. Some people might complain whereas others might silently enjoy your stories, or even vote and comment.

I don't disagree, but surely this view is retrospective? I can't write a genre for an audience - I can't only write in the moment, as the whim takes me. But I'm an amateur in the true sense: I write because I love how words can flow onto the page. It's for others to judge after the event, but that's just me.

 

[stickygirl]

I guess my main point is, you don't always have to write psychologically perfect people.

If you enjoy your characters, others might do so as well. And if they don't, they might not be the right audience for your work.

That's where the magic lies doesn't it? Being able to connect to people and stir emotions in them

 

[SimonDoom]

I guess my main point is, you don't always have to write psychologically perfect people.

.

I agree. You should try to write psychologically INTERESTING people, whose motivations, while perhaps uncommon in and/or not corresponding closely to anything real in the nonfiction world, nevertheless cohere and work in the context of the story.

I've said before that I have a Zen Garden theory of writing fiction. The world you create in your story doesn't have to be realistic, and it probably shouldn't be, because the real world has too much repetitive and dull and irrelevant stuff to be interesting in fiction. Too many weeds. Fiction requires the artful placement of key elements that give the appearance of a kind of reality that captures our attention and sense of delight. Building a compelling character in a fictional story is, to me, the same way.

 

[Athalia]

I guess my main point is, you don't always have to write psychologically perfect people.

God forbid that we should restrict our writing to psychologically perfect people. Were we to do so, our total literary output would fit onto a floppy disk, and have lots of room left over.

 

[HappySpouse]

Since your wife is keen on helping you out. You could try writing her as a 1st person character in a story. If you are like me, that's your best chance at actually knowing what any other person would think, say, and do. Then she can read it and red pen everything that your dick wrote without consulting her brain first.

I'm kind of weird, but, to me, written characters are real in their fictional world. So, if you write that they thought this or that or that they felt this or that, then they did. The more people can relate that character's thoughts and actions to the conventions of the real world, the less disconnection they will feel to the character in your story. That is an inelegant way of saying that your writing of a female perspective will be true to the experience of the female in your story no matter what you write. So, create the character, put them in the situation, let them think and feel, and then tell us about it. If you go putting thoughts in their head then you're changing the character in the middle of the story.





As a general response to many of the comments on this thread, I can't really say that I agree with the "woman are emotional, mental and men are visual, mechanical" idea.

I have found the female critiques of my stories (thanks again to any of you who have helped me) to be surprisingly functional. Like, they read a whole female masturbation scene and the first comments is, she should clean that toy.

A perfect example is Jada59's description on the first page where she talks about bringing him a rag because the tissue was sticking when they were cleaning up.

Also, everyone is just so damn different. By those measures me and my wife are unrealistic. She is goal oriented and is often just getting off. I am much more about the indulgence of the experience and the privilege of being with such a magical creature. She prefers penetration while I want to spend most of the time with mouths and hands or toys. I often can't cum if there is any chance of some getting on or near her pussy because I'm terrified of having an "oops" baby. We are only one couple, but we are not unique and most the the "women are _________, but men are _________" discussed here doesn't apply to us.

 

[Syzoth]

Female volunteer editor

I am a relatively new author. I have been trying to expand on my abilities as a writer and was wanting to do a story from the woman's point of view. I of course have no idea what a woman feels during sex. The emotions, the physical sensations, everything from her perspective is relatively foreign to me. I have tried to bring these questions to my wife, but she couldn't describe it in words. I was wondering what other male authors have done in this situation, or if there was a woman out there who would be willing to answer said questions. I have tried reading other submissions from the female point of view but don't necessarily want to borrow from the work of others. At the end of the day, I just want to do a fair and honest representation. Suggestions?

As a male writer, I found that having a female editor is very helpful. I dont necessarily write from a female's POV, per se, but the perspective is very helpful. Especially during my earliest submissions when I was trying to write romantic and believable sex scenes.

 

[46n2]

I am a relatively new author. I have been trying to expand on my abilities as a writer and was wanting to do a story from the woman's point of view. I of course have no idea what a woman feels during sex. The emotions, the physical sensations, everything from her perspective is relatively foreign to me. I have tried to bring these questions to my wife, but she couldn't describe it in words. I was wondering what other male authors have done in this situation, or if there was a woman out there who would be willing to answer said questions. I have tried reading other submissions from the female point of view but don't necessarily want to borrow from the work of others. At the end of the day, I just want to do a fair and honest representation. Suggestions?

Why don’t you have any idea what a woman feels during sex?

No offense but - yer borked right there, mate.

You’ve never thought about it? You’ve never felt Her feeling You?

Hmm… brought it up to the wife but she’s mum. Okay.

Nope, there it is again, “I would read what other women have written but I don’t want to…borrow?”

That’s why the wife doesn’t share it, bro. Go out on a limb. Insist upon it. Or else, next time you’re inside of her? Tell her to open her eyes. And LOOK at you. Then tell her to tell you what she feels. Then FEEL her feeling that.

She doesn’t actually have to say anything. The benefit of being a dude - we are ACTUALLY inside her. She might have no idea what WE feel. But we are inside of her. Try to feel it, mate.

Actually, there’s your answer (or one of them). How do women feel? They wish we could feel them more… than we do.

>I don’t mean to be rude about all that. Just… rethink it, mate. You want to. So put the work in.

From a strictly literary perspective? Why are you wanting to write? Cuz something’s left out? Then go all in on that and make your discoveries. Go at it, mate. If you want them, they’re there.

Otherwise? There’s no advice on this.

“How do I write from a females perspective when I have no understanding of it at all and don’t want to “borrow” from them.” Ass out, bro. That’s what.

 

[MColton84]

Why don’t you have any idea what a woman feels during sex?

No offense but - yer borked right there, mate.

You’ve never thought about it? You’ve never felt Her feeling You?

Hmm… brought it up to the wife but she’s mum. Okay.

Nope, there it is again, “I would read what other women have written but I don’t want to…borrow?”

That’s why the wife doesn’t share it, bro. Go out on a limb. Insist upon it. Or else, next time you’re inside of her? Tell her to open her eyes. And LOOK at you. Then tell her to tell you what she feels. Then FEEL her feeling that.

She doesn’t actually have to say anything. The benefit of being a dude - we are ACTUALLY inside her. She might have no idea what WE feel. But we are inside of her. Try to feel it, mate.

Actually, there’s your answer (or one of them). How do women feel? They wish we could feel them more… than we do.

>I don’t mean to be rude about all that. Just… rethink it, mate. You want to. So put the work in.

From a strictly literary perspective? Why are you wanting to write? Cuz something’s left out? Then go all in on that and make your discoveries. Go at it, mate. If you want them, they’re there.

Otherwise? There’s no advice on this.

“How do I write from a females perspective when I have no understanding of it at all and don’t want to “borrow” from them.” Ass out, bro. That’s what.

Thanks for your insight. I have thought about it. And I had the Idea of asking for other authors ideas in regards to writing about it. I see your point and thank you for your answer.

 

[jehoram]

As a male writer, I found that having a female editor is very helpful. I dont necessarily write from a female's POV, per se, but the perspective is very helpful. Especially during my earliest submissions when I was trying to write romantic and believable sex scenes.

I wrote about that very thing:

https://www.literotica.com/s/the-right-editor

 

[ImiGirrst]

Why don’t you have any idea what a woman feels during sex?

No offense but - yer borked right there, mate.

You’ve never thought about it? You’ve never felt Her feeling You?

The benefit of being a dude - we are ACTUALLY inside her. She might have no idea what WE feel. But we are inside of her. Try to feel it, mate.

Actually, there’s your answer (or one of them). How do women feel? They wish we could feel them more… than we do.

This is INCREDIBLY insightful - and I wish more people with APPENDAGES THAT GO INTO BODY CAVATIES would understand this.

Do you not get what you are being allowed to do, when I allow you into my body??? So many seem to take it for granted. But I'm letting you INTO my body - just think about what means for a moment. I'm going to surround you.

I can't HELP but be aware of you. And you are CLUELESS about me???

Now do you start to get why RAPE is such an incredibly big deal?


Thank you, 46n2, for this post. You really nailed it. Plus double scrabble points for bork'd.

As a male writer, I found that having a female editor is very helpful. I dont necessarily write from a female's POV, per se, but the perspective is very helpful. Especially during my earliest submissions when I was trying to write romantic and believable sex scenes.

And I feel the same way about having a male beta reader for making sure I do the male POV justice as well. Plus I've learned a few tips and tricks to try out that I hadn't previously thought to consider, so bonus for my next partner!

 

[Superjeebus65]

Deleted

Deleted by poster.

 

[stickygirl]

Hmm.. I've always been told 'no such thing as a stupid question'

There was nothing offensive in the OP's post - he said 'relatively foreign to me' not 'I haven't got a clue'. His expression ‘I of course have no idea what a woman feels during sex.’ can hardly be described as anything other than unpresumptuous. If he’s have come out and said ‘I’ve got a pretty good idea of how a woman feels’ you’d have "borked" him right away.

Wind your necks in guys - it may have been a naive question from your pov, but there's no need to give the guy a kicking.

 

[Wifetheif]

I am a relatively new author. I have been trying to expand on my abilities as a writer and was wanting to do a story from the woman's point of view. I of course have no idea what a woman feels during sex. The emotions, the physical sensations, everything from her perspective is relatively foreign to me. I have tried to bring these questions to my wife, but she couldn't describe it in words. I was wondering what other male authors have done in this situation, or if there was a woman out there who would be willing to answer said questions. I have tried reading other submissions from the female point of view but don't necessarily want to borrow from the work of others. At the end of the day, I just want to do a fair and honest representation. Suggestions?

I've been praised by female Lit. Com readers for my female characters. Like you, I am male, I'm also white, although I have dated women of every race which helps with creating ethnic characters. Writing like a woman means, to an extent, thinking like one. Read one of those online tutorials on how to write female characters and DON"T focus on breasts! Women give as much thought to those during the day as men do to our cocks while we are doing normal activities. There are creative ways to give a breakdown as to looks. Have your heroine viewed through the eyes of another character, for example. DON'T do as Eric Cline does in "Ready Player Two" "I was someone who had long black hair falling into their eyes. Someone with brown tanned skin wearing a bikini. Someone with breasts!" -- THIS is an NYT bestseller?
Anyway, plunge in, bounce it off one of your female friends to gauge if you are on the right track. The First-person provides the most intimacy for the reader but is sometimes impractical. Drive things with dialogue. That really gets the personalities going and makes them easier to write. Try my most recent story "School Daze" about a teacher hooking up with one of her former male students. It is only marred by two major typos I THOUGHT I caught.

 

[Hypoxia]

Ask about the first bra. See here.

 

[ImiGirrst]

Quote:

nobody likes the dumbass who asks questions when he doesn't understand something. If you don't already know the answer, stop wasting everyone's time by trying to learn. Apparently the only way to overcome your ignorance is to accept it.

Says the dumbass who doesn't like getting held accountable on expecting people to have common sense in the first place. Oh, so sorry. Here's a key, what do I do with it? - hmmm, I need directions on how to put that key into a lock. Where else might that Key go??? Hmmmm...

Okay, got it. From now on, no one gets to use ANY KEYS WHATSOEVER IN ANY PLACE EVER WITHOUT HAVING A COURSE ON KEY USAGE. AND THAT MUST BE PASSED SUCCESSFULLY.

Now, maybe you might say I just made your point because he was ASKING. Well, if figured it out in the first place, ya'll can continue to extrapolate. And then you can have a FREAKIN' dialogue.

I can tell you, beyond any shadow of a doubt, as a woman, I'm getting tired of doing the work for men. Y'all are damn lazy.

And yes, I'm a bit prickly about it and yes, I've got an attitude - I'll readily admit it. Sticky girl is right about jumping on the guy right out if he said he knew, but you don't do that if someone actually is trying. At least ask honestly -> Did I get this correct? Am I in the ball park? Start a dialogue - get a conversation going.

But to leave it completely open ended? That's just plain lazy. You haven't done any more - you're getting someone else to do your work for you. I hate that, no matter the circumstances.

 

[MColton84]

Says the dumbass who doesn't like getting held accountable on expecting people to have common sense in Now, maybe you might say I just made your point because he was ASKING. Well, if figured it out in the first place, ya'll can continue to extrapolate. And then you can have a FREAKIN' dialogue.

I can tell you, beyond any shadow of a doubt, as a woman, I'm getting tired of doing the work for men. Y'all are damn lazy.

And yes, I'm a bit prickly about it and yes, I've got an attitude - I'll readily admit it. Sticky girl is right about jumping on the guy right out if he said he knew, but you don't do that if someone actually is trying. At least ask honestly -> Did I get this correct? Am I in the ball park? Start a dialogue - get a conversation going.

But to leave it completely open ended? That's just plain lazy. You haven't done any more - you're getting someone else to do your work for you. I hate that, no matter the circumstances.

Okay, I'm not sure where all that came from. I'm asking questions trying to expand my knowledge. If this causes you offence then I apologize, and if it causes anyone else offense I apologize to them. I don't know exactly what it is you want from me, other than for some reason probably a personal one you're angry at men. That's perfectly Fair. However, I'm not the man that you should be saying these things to. You want to call me lazy without knowing anything about me that's your business. I truly hope you find the peace that you so desperately need.

 

[KeithD]

Okay, I'm not sure where all that came from.

Right, this isn't the first angry unhinged attack by that poster. Just shun her until she either tones it down and settles into the atmosphere of the AH or takes her attitude outside.

 

[SimonDoom]

Okay, I'm not sure where all that came from. I'm asking questions trying to expand my knowledge. If this causes you offence then I apologize, and if it causes anyone else offense I apologize to them. I don't know exactly what it is you want from me, other than for some reason probably a personal one you're angry at men. That's perfectly Fair. However, I'm not the man that you should be saying these things to. You want to call me lazy without knowing anything about me that's your business. I truly hope you find the peace that you so desperately need.

You don't need to apologize for your original post, and that last response was not appropriate. I'm not sure what prompted that. People can disagree without talking that way.

 

[ImiGirrst]

Okay, I'm not sure where all that came from. I'm asking questions trying to expand my knowledge. If this causes you offence then I apologize, and if it causes anyone else offense I apologize to them. I don't know exactly what it is you want from me, other than for some reason probably a personal one you're angry at men. That's perfectly Fair. However, I'm not the man that you should be saying these things to. You want to call me lazy without knowing anything about me that's your business. I truly hope you find the peace that you so desperately need.

MColton, YOU did not offend me. I wish you would have gone out on a limb a little more like 46n2 suggested, but in my mind, small potatoes. For me, it was a bigger thing that a guy called another guy out on something that everyone ought to be doing. YES!! I felt like cheering, so I did. Please, more of this!! You ARE capable of being more observant, please try. If women can be, so can men. It's possible. And has nothing to do with personal peace. You can't go ask a vampire or a werewolf or a Klingon or a fish or a fucking lamp their opinion what it is like to live like them, yet writers have figured out how to write their POV. Guess what? You can take a shot at a woman's POV AND THEN ask if your understanding is anywhere close to ours in order to have a dialogue.

The response from Superjeebus65 and SimonDoom and KeithD is what offended me. That was the damn cop out.

Just more of the same reason that Y Chromosome bearing people get to group XX chromosome people together as being BITTER when we get loudly frustrated for attempting to hold the group of y'all accountable for refusing to be more aware of your actions, your sensibilities, your understandings of others.


And then because I happen to have the BALLS BIG ENOUGH TO CONTINUE the conversation, you want to stick me in the corner and say, Hey lady, I don't know what your problem is, but go talk to the guy who screwed you in the first place but don't take it out on me.

Do not pass go, do not collect $200 - it's not my problem, I didn't do it to you. I wash my hands of it - Signed Pontius Pilate.

And that was the point that 46n2 had brought up. And unfortunately, was reinforced by some very kind other female authors on this thread that were taught that they can't hold men accountable either because that's not what you do to men. They always get the "Get out of jail' card, because boys will be boys. They don't know any better. They don't have the capacity that women do for empathy.

Well BULLSHIT. Because Lit has taught me that there are plenty of men that are fully capable of thinking of, and projecting, what women's POV is. I've not only talked to them, but met them here. I consider it a privilege to call them friends. And No, they aren't gay.

And I'll give you one last piece of advice before you go get your head chopped off again while you are deciding that I really need to go get laid and I really have it out for my ex, this is exactly what you will be told if you attempt to write a character who is NOT your skin color. So unless you change your attitude - Don't even ATTEMPT to ask anyone who isn't white a question with this attitude. You won't survive. Black people aren't doing the work for white people anymore either

 

[MColton84]

MColton, YOU did not offend me. I wish you would have gone out on a limb a little more like 46n2 suggested, but in my mind, small potatoes. For me, it was a bigger thing that a guy called another guy out on something that everyone ought to be doing. YES!! I felt like cheering, so I did. Please, more of this!! You ARE capable of being more observant, please try. If women can be, so can men. It's possible. And has nothing to do with personal peace. You can't go ask a vampire or a werewolf or a Klingon or a fish or a fucking lamp their opinion what it is like to live like them, yet writers have figured out how to write their POV. Guess what? You can take a shot at a woman's POV AND THEN ask if your understanding is anywhere close to ours in order to have a dialogue.

The response from Superjeebus65 and SimonDoom and KeithD is what offended me. That was the damn cop out.

Just more of the same reason that Y Chromosome bearing people get to group XX chromosome people together as being BITTER when we get loudly frustrated for attempting to hold the group of y'all accountable for refusing to be more aware of your actions, your sensibilities, your understandings of others.


And then because I happen to have the BALLS BIG ENOUGH TO CONTINUE the conversation, you want to stick me in the corner and say, Hey lady, I don't know what your problem is, but go talk to the guy who screwed you in the first place but don't take it out on me.

Do not pass go, do not collect $200 - it's not my problem, I didn't do it to you. I wash my hands of it - Signed Pontius Pilate.

And that was the point that 46n2 had brought up. And unfortunately, was reinforced by some very kind other female authors on this thread that were taught that they can't hold men accountable either because that's not what you do to men. They always get the "Get out of jail' card, because boys will be boys. They don't know any better. They don't have the capacity that women do for empathy.

Well BULLSHIT. Because Lit has taught me that there are plenty of men that are fully capable of thinking of, and projecting, what women's POV is. I've not only talked to them, but met them here. I consider it a privilege to call them friends. And No, they aren't gay.

And I'll give you one last piece of advice before you go get your head chopped off again while you are deciding that I really need to go get laid and I really have it out for my ex, this is exactly what you will be told if you attempt to write a character who is NOT your skin color. So unless you change your attitude - Don't even ATTEMPT to ask anyone who isn't white a question with this attitude. You won't survive. Black people aren't doing the work for white people anymore either

Are you on any kind of medication? When did race come into this? How did I put anyone in a corner? I have been careful to respond to comments with respect and dignity for the individual. I see that as long as I have this chromosome that you have so much disdain for, you will not be capable of maintaining a conversation. I would never suggest that you go out and get laid. That would be especially cruel to the poor man who had to jump on that grenade.

Think what you will. Like me or don't. Not my problem. Good luck to you and your writing but I'm now officially washing my hands of you.

 

[SimonDoom]

Am I the only person who is completely confused by the direction this thread has taken? Apparently, I offended someone, as did others.

I don't understand what's been written enough to even respond.

Peace, friends.

 

[MColton84]

Apologies

I'm sorry, I honestly don't know what is happening. I don't usually lash out, especially online. I'm going to call it a night. I again apologize for the juvenile exchange. Hopefully I will be more of an adult tomorrow.

 

[MsNatalie99]

I'm sorry, I honestly don't know what is happening. I don't usually lash out, especially online. I'm going to call it a night. I again apologize for the juvenile exchange. Hopefully I will be more of an adult tomorrow.

No need to apologize. You've got nothing to apologize for. Just ignore the trolling, ask questions, even if others consider the pursuit of knowledge a cop-out, and try to be the best you can be. You're a great guy. Just don't let it get to you.

 

[SimonDoom]

I'm sorry, I honestly don't know what is happening. I don't usually lash out, especially online. I'm going to call it a night. I again apologize for the juvenile exchange. Hopefully I will be more of an adult tomorrow.

I can't figure out anything you need to apologize about. This is one of those threads that went sideways and I'm not sure what happened. But it's not your fault. Don't feel shy about posting questions. Keep it up, even if you don't know what's going to happen!