Are you a gender-blind reader?

[HeyNonnyNonny]

I've little doubt this topic has come up on the AH before, but I couldn't find it with a brief search, so I thought I'd give in an(other) airing.

I've realised recently that I prefer writing stories which I believe to be written by women. Not because I think they're better, or even because I think they're more suited to my tastes. Probably because I'm less likely to allow myself to be turned on by men. It's a shame, because I'm well aware that I don't read as much as I could of some of Lit's best authors.

I'm aware that makes me very shallow, and borderline homophobic. What I'd like to know is, does it make me unusual? Is the gender of the writer a factor in whether you read a story? And if so, why?

 

[TxRad]

Gender isn't a problem... it's more a who over a what.... A writer of either sex might write about anything so....

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I have said many times before that I don't normally like reading stories written in first-person from the male perspective. I find it to be more of a turn-on to be written from a woman's point of view.

I never contemplate if the author is male or female though. In most cases I never even look at who wrote what (unless I am looking for a previous eppisode, or a sequel).

 

[Weird Harold]

I'm aware that makes me very shallow, and borderline homophobic. What I'd like to know is, does it make me unusual? Is the gender of the writer a factor in whether you read a story? And if so, why?

It's not a factor in whether I read a story, book, or article, but most of my favorite auhors just happen to be female -- by a factor of about two to one.

That doesn't make me homophobic, or shallow because It's the writing that makes them favorites, not the gender.

 

[Tom Collins]

For my own part, no. To be perfectly honest, half the time I don't even know the gender of a given author, unless I know them from here in the AH, and it's still not a guarantee. Hell, all the AHers thought I was a dude for a long time because of my name, I write in the gay male category and my flirting isn't gender specific.

I have noticed that there is a difference between male and female authors' writing, but it's not always consistant, so you can't always go by a story being more touchy-feely than hardcore. There are a few things that male writers do in a story that I've never, to the best of my knowledge, seen a woman writer do other than myself. For instance, nuzzling and licking of the pits. Guys seem to really dig that and I've seen different ones put it into any number of stories, but I've never seen it in a tale written by a chick.

Perhaps, rather than asking us if it's normal that you avoid anything you suspect is written by a man, you should be asking yourself why it would be so bad to read something not written by a woman. If it's homophobia, maybe you should question why it would be the end of the world for you to discover an interest in the male gender. Men are as beautiful as women and should be admired by everyone. Just a thought.

 

[HeyNonnyNonny]

Perhaps, rather than asking us if it's normal that you avoid anything you suspect is written by a man, you should be asking yourself why it would be so bad to read something not written by a woman. If it's homophobia, maybe you should question why it would be the end of the world for you to discover an interest in the male gender. Men are as beautiful as women and should be admired by everyone. Just a thought.

You're right, of course, and I imagine that's part of why I was thinking about this. I don't think it would be the "end of the world", indeed, it would probably make life far more interesting!

I've been coming to this site for about five years, reading avidly, and I started writing about three years ago, although I only starting writing erotica/porn about a year ago. The time I started avoiding male authors dates fairly closely to when I started writing. I think it's because the way I read has changed, and I now think of reading as far more like a conversation, "listening to" an author. For the same reasons I wouldn't jack off with another guy in the room, it feels slightly weird getting turned on by male authors. I do still enjoy the occassional story by guys, of course (and no doubt lots of the "women" I read are in fact men), I'm just less comfortable with it.

As I say, I really don't know if that's homophobia. If it is, I don't think it's a particularly virulent strain - it's only me suffering! Hopefully it's something I'll grow out of. I guess the reason I ask if its normal is the same reason everyone asks that question - reassurance.

This answer was far longer and more defensive than I intended. I really only wanted to thank you for your thoughts

 

[Zeb_Carter]

The gender of the writer, no. But sometimes the POV I prefer is that of a female as opposed to a male.

As a writer I have done both POVs.

 

[Dr_Strabismus]

No, it's common, and probably works as often against male authhors as it does female authors. If you try to write in a field that is traditionaly the domain of the opposite gender, you run into this prejudice. I have a female pseudonym for my romance stories.
And it took me a long time before I got round to read Ursula LeGuin, because I assumed (rightly, in her case, but not in general) that women can't really "do" science fiction.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I've little doubt this topic has come up on the AH before, but I couldn't find it with a brief search, so I thought I'd give in an(other) airing.

I've realised recently that I prefer writing stories which I believe to be written by women. Not because I think they're better, or even because I think they're more suited to my tastes. Probably because I'm less likely to allow myself to be turned on by men. It's a shame, because I'm well aware that I don't read as much as I could of some of Lit's best authors.

I'm aware that makes me very shallow, and borderline homophobic. What I'd like to know is, does it make me unusual? Is the gender of the writer a factor in whether you read a story? And if so, why?

I've had that exact same reaction at times in my life- for the exact same reason-- except it wouldn't be homophobia, it would be... um... heterophobia! But my gender identity shifts all the time, so I enjoy men's writing as often as not. I will say that it takes a damn good writer to make me happy, male or female.

I am almost always very uncomfortable reading D/s written by men with a male top, female bottom. I keep thinking; "I could do her so much better..."

(edited to add) Doc, LeGuin can "do" SciFi, IMO-- she can't do endings.

(edited again to say)

I think it's because the way I read has changed, and I now think of reading as far more like a conversation, "listening to" an author.

That is an excellent observation!

 

[rgraham666]

When it comes to reading smut, I'll say I prefer women writers to men writers.

The best explanation I can come up with is that male writers are often 'coarse'. Very often there's a delicacy missing from the stories. A delicacy that adds depth and emotional breadth. A lot of male smut writers write as if the story was a SWAT assault.

In general reading, no. I'll read any damned thing. One of my favourite historians is Barbara Tuchman.

 

[wehstar]

I've little doubt this topic has come up on the AH before, but I couldn't find it with a brief search, so I thought I'd give in an(other) airing.

I've realised recently that I prefer writing stories which I believe to be written by women. Not because I think they're better, or even because I think they're more suited to my tastes. Probably because I'm less likely to allow myself to be turned on by men. It's a shame, because I'm well aware that I don't read as much as I could of some of Lit's best authors.

I'm aware that makes me very shallow, and borderline homophobic. What I'd like to know is, does it make me unusual? Is the gender of the writer a factor in whether you read a story? And if so, why?

I often feel exactly the same way.

Somehow a hot fantasy can be added to by the thought that it is the fantasy of a hot woman. There are loads of male perverts. A female pervert is an elusive catch. Sorta thing.

 

[DerelictionOfSanity]

I generally care about gender in characters for erotic literature and not very much for non-erotic.

I don't generally care about the gender of the author. It was a bit of a surprise to find some women writing gay male stories, but so far the ones I have read have done it pretty darned well. As TC mentionned, there are some gender specific tendencies, but they're far from universal and easy to miss (I never noticed the armpit thing myself, partly because it doesn't do anything for me)

As for regular fiction, if I look at the books on my shelf, I'd have to say that most of the ones I like are in fact by female authors. There are certainly some by male authors, but not as many. Wow! On second inspection, it's almost all women (and I didn't even realize it). I guess I'll have to write a book myself to reclaim the dignity of the male author.

I suggest:
*Elizabeth A. Lynn, *Diane Duane, Tanya Huff, Gael Baudino among others. And yeah, I find that LeGuin is uneven. Some of her stuff is wonderful and original and some is just lacking. I loved the Left Hand of Darkness, but I find I couldn't really get into the Dispossesed

 

[Agnol]

I have found that I enjoy some of the more 'juvenile' stories on this site, which I have always assumed were by male authors. (Perhaps its time to go and take a look, hmm) By juvenile I mean the ones where they pull out the same three devices for their story (oversized genitalia, lots of unbelievable dirty talk, and rapid succession of partners.) I'm actually kind of embarrassed that I like these stories because I could never write one and submit it just out of sheer pride, but hey they get me going for some reason.

The stories that I really like are the ones that realize that the getting to the sex is usually a lot more exciting than the sex itself. I think more women get this than men.

I get annoyed with first person point of view stories, especially the ones where they switch back and forth between two people. I won't read the story twice just because you couldn't write it once. My first submission was actually a first person pov story and it felt easier at first to write that way because it's just someone relaying events. I have since changed my mind.

 

[cantdog]

You know the ones I hate? The second person ones. "Then you gently pushed me down on the seat. 'Take 'em off, baby,' you told me..." Disturbing being told what you did and said. Icky. And the writing usually is poor, besides.

 

[TE999]

Makes no nevermind the sex of the author if it's a good story--good writing is good writing.

Or more simply, if it feels good, read it.

Or should that be the other way 'round?

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Is the gender of the writer a factor in whether you read a story? And if so, why?

Nope.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I'm sort of rough around the edges, so I can write either way. As far as reading, it makes no difference - the story and writing ability is the thing.

 

[DerelictionOfSanity]

You know the ones I hate? The second person ones. "Then you gently pushed me down on the seat. 'Take 'em off, baby,' you told me..." Disturbing being told what you did and said. Icky. And the writing usually is poor, besides.

Oh, I know. I can never read those; they make me feel like the author is stalking me or something. Also, there's the whole instantaneous reflex of: "No I didn't! Why would I do that ? I wouldn't do that!"

 

[Stella_Omega]

Oh, I know. I can never read those; they make me feel like the author is stalking me or something. Also, there's the whole instantaneous reflex of: "No I didn't! Why would I do that ? I wouldn't do that!"

 

[Tom Collins]

You're right, of course, and I imagine that's part of why I was thinking about this. I don't think it would be the "end of the world", indeed, it would probably make life far more interesting!

I've been coming to this site for about five years, reading avidly, and I started writing about three years ago, although I only starting writing erotica/porn about a year ago. The time I started avoiding male authors dates fairly closely to when I started writing. I think it's because the way I read has changed, and I now think of reading as far more like a conversation, "listening to" an author. For the same reasons I wouldn't jack off with another guy in the room, it feels slightly weird getting turned on by male authors. I do still enjoy the occassional story by guys, of course (and no doubt lots of the "women" I read are in fact men), I'm just less comfortable with it.

As I say, I really don't know if that's homophobia. If it is, I don't think it's a particularly virulent strain - it's only me suffering! Hopefully it's something I'll grow out of. I guess the reason I ask if its normal is the same reason everyone asks that question - reassurance.

This answer was far longer and more defensive than I intended. I really only wanted to thank you for your thoughts

No worries, Nonny. I didn't take it as being defensive, per se. More explanatory than anything. I some how doubt you're a homophobe in the stricktest sense or you'd've gone off at me deliberately trying to push your buttons.

It's no biggie for you to find it creepy to be turned on by reading a male author since you're hearing what you imagine is the author's voice while you're reading. Seems like a natural reaction to me. If you're not into guys and you're hearing a masculine voice in your head that isn't your own while you read a sex scene, that's going to be creepy. I wouldn't worry about it were I you.

If you want an interesting experience try reading some of the fine GM stories that have been written by the Ladies of Literotica. That'll definitely narrow down what you do and don't like for you. *cheeky *

 

[Tom Collins]

When it comes to reading smut, I'll say I prefer women writers to men writers.

The best explanation I can come up with is that male writers are often 'coarse'. Very often there's a delicacy missing from the stories. A delicacy that adds depth and emotional breadth. A lot of male smut writers write as if the story was a SWAT assault.

In general reading, no. I'll read any damned thing. One of my favourite historians is Barbara Tuchman.

I think that "delicacy" you're talking about would be what i think of as "poetic". I really like your discription of a lot of men's writing as being like a SWAT assault, that's good, Sir Rob.

 

[Stella_Omega]

No worries, Nonny. I didn't take it as being defensive, per se. More explanatory than anything. I some how doubt you're a homophobe in the stricktest sense or you'd've gone off at me deliberately trying to push your buttons.

It's no biggie for you to find it creepy to be turned on by reading a male author since you're hearing what you imagine is the author's voice while you're reading. Seems like a natural reaction to me. If you're not into guys and you're hearing a masculine voice in your head that isn't your own while you read a sex scene, that's going to be creepy. I wouldn't worry about it were I you.

If you want an interesting experience try reading some of the fine GM stories that have been written by the Ladies of Literotica. That'll definitely narrow down what you do and don't like for you. *cheeky *

That would be the ladies of Lit that are out of the closet. I know of several men who write GM who are no more male than I am.

In fact, I'd bet that the ratio of women to men who write slash is somewhere near 75% if not more...


But, really- don't expect a dood to want to read about doods screwing each other, no matter who wrote it!

Write him a straight blowjob, Tommy!

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I am almost always very uncomfortable reading D/s written by men with a male top, female bottom. I keep thinking; "I could do her so much better..."

lord yes!

 

[Tom Collins]

That would be the ladies of Lit that are out of the closet. I know of several men who write GM who are no more male than I am.

In fact, I'd bet that the ratio of women to men who write slash is somewhere near 75% if not more...


But, really- don't expect a dood to want to read about doods screwing each other, no matter who wrote it!

Write him a straight blowjob, Tommy!

Now that would feel like slash to me. *snerk*

I don't actually expect him to read any, just thought I'd make the suggestion and see how open minded he is.

What can I say? I'm feeling cheeky today 'cause WIEAS Ch4 got fixed this morning and Ch 5 will be hitting the new list within the week. I'm getting near the end of this sotry and it feels good.

Also, the new story I'm working on is going well. Though I have kind of hit a wall. Any suggestions on how to portray two guys who both desperately do and don't wanna fuck a third guy and have it be realistic?

 

[oggbashan]

You know the ones I hate? The second person ones. "Then you gently pushed me down on the seat. 'Take 'em off, baby,' you told me..." Disturbing being told what you did and said. Icky. And the writing usually is poor, besides.

Second person can be well done, but it is difficult.

First and third person are easier for most of us.

Og (and jeanne_d_artois)