Male or Female perspective?

[Sneakingsuspicion]

I'm not usually a writer from the male's perspective, but a teacher once told me that sometimes it was best to 'write what you know'. I'm a little uncertain about how well I do with female characters and uncertain how I'm going to work with male characters, but I wanted to know what you prefer to read in your erotica.

So lets see the poll results. If you're not sure or don't really have a preference you're welcome to post about it.

 

[sr71plt]

Hmmm. this is the "Authors' Hangout." And you're asking what folks here like to do with their reading.

I am a [male writer and I write from both male and female perspectives. My best-selling books are written from a female perspective (but not under this pen name, naturally)

 

[JustaSCOUNDREL]

At the moment I'm the only voter in your pole. I voted I am male and prefer to read women writers. That does not mean that I only read women writers. So while I have my preferences I read any story that catches my attention.

Mike

 

[sr71plt]

At the moment I'm the only voter in your pole. I voted I am male and prefer to read women writers.

But . . . but . . . that wasn't one of the choices.

 

[Sneakingsuspicion]

Hmmm. this is the "Authors' Hangout." And you're asking what folks here like to do with their reading.

Bah, you've got me. I apologize, I'm still new. Still, you must read occasionally? In my defense, I am looking to write something, I'd just like a little help deciding on how to do it.

 

[sr71plt]

Bah, you've got me. I apologize, I'm still new. Still, you must read occasionally? In my defense, I am looking to write something, I'd just like a little help deciding on how to do it.

OK. But as I writer, I write because of the perspective I see the story as having, not trying to second guess what "the reader" wants (whoever that is).

 

[Sneakingsuspicion]

OK. But as I writer, I write because of the perspective I see the story as having, not trying to second guess what "the reader" wants (whoever that is).

I get what you're saying. 'Just go with it and let it be what it is.' The reason why I ask is that I'm getting a somewhat misogynistic, "man in power" vibe from what's going on paper, so I thought I'd ask myself (and the forums): "Do men prefer male characters? Or do women? Maybe men would only be able to get into it if it were a female character."

I suppose it's fair to say that I'm a bit afraid of offending the audience that's most likely going to end up reading through it.

Though, again, I apologize for going to the wrong forum. I'll take this to the reader forum shortly if the day is done and I'm still uncertain.

 

[HeyAll]

Male, and I prefer reading from the male's pov.

Mainly because it describes what he's seeing the female character do and so forth.

The main problem I have with some stories that are female pov is that it describes what she's seeing the man do. Sometimes that isn't an issue though.

 

[Noira]

But . . . but . . . that wasn't one of the choices.

I suspect this gentleman is one of the type who believes that if it's in first person, the author must be the gender of the first person character!

And probably thinks everything is a true story too.

I'm female. I have no really prominent preference. Whatever suits the story best. I think I have a preference for decent female POVs though.

 

[sr71plt]

I get what you're saying. 'Just go with it and let it be what it is.' The reason why I ask is that I'm getting a somewhat misogynistic, "man in power" vibe from what's going on paper, so I thought I'd ask myself (and the forums): "Do men prefer male characters? Or do women? Maybe men would only be able to get into it if it were a female character."

I suppose it's fair to say that I'm a bit afraid of offending the audience that's most likely going to end up reading through it.

Though, again, I apologize for going to the wrong forum. I'll take this to the reader forum shortly if the day is done and I'm still uncertain.

If there's one truism on this website it is, I think, that you can't avoid offending a large number of readers here no matter what you write (there's a huge and widely varied readership here). A misogynistic "man in power" story can be a powerfully written story. Your fan base doesn't have to be constructed on a single story. If you really don't like this perspective but that's what's going down on the paper/computer file, maybe you should erase it. Otherwise, I think the good writer response is to go with what's naturally happening and worry about what readers it's targeted to later (but not much at all even then).

I don't think there's much good writing by committee and poll going on here.

 

[Sneakingsuspicion]

If there's one truism on this website it is, I think, that you can't avoid offending a large number of readers here no matter what you write (there's a huge and widely varied readership here).

That's pretty true. I guess if they don't like it, they won't read it.

Thanks for the help and input everyone.

 

[Stella_Omega]

The reason why I ask is that I'm getting a somewhat misogynistic, "man in power" vibe from what's going on paper,

Have her tell him something-- how good it feels, or to shift his tongue a little lower. Something that shows she's an active participant in what's going on.

Don't rely on description of the action alone; add a bit of interior context.

If he's doing that to her, how does he feel about it?

Is he worried that he isn't giving her what she wants? Is it an incredible rush of power? Does it feel so fucking good he loses his mind? Is his mind on her father's money?

 

[Feotakahari]

I'm not sure the POV is exactly the right way to approach it. I favor sexy girls over sexy guys, but I've read stories where the POV character was sexy, as well as ones where they had sex with someone sexy..

 

[Safe_Bet]

I'm not usually a writer from the male's perspective, but a teacher once told me that sometimes it was best to 'write what you know'. I'm a little uncertain about how well I do with female characters and uncertain how I'm going to work with male characters, but I wanted to know what you prefer to read in your erotica.

So lets see the poll results. If you're not sure or don't really have a preference you're welcome to post about it.

What I prefer is WELL WRITTEN erotica. If you're a dude, unless you've got a good female editor and do a bunch of research, FOR ME you'll never be able to credibly write from a female POV because you ain't one. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I am saying that it would take more work, talent & editing effort than most dudes are willing to invest.

Hmmm. this is the "Authors' Hangout." And you're asking what folks here like to do with their reading.

I am a [male writer and I write from both male and female perspectives. My best-selling books are written from a female perspective (but not under this pen name, naturally)

Blow it out your ass, SR! Does the phase "A place for writers and READERS to socialize and discuss the craft of writing" ring any bells???? (Hint: It is written right under this forum's title.)

 

[sr71plt]

Blow it out your ass, SR! Does the phase "A place for writers and READERS to socialize and discuss the craft of writing" ring any bells???? (Hint: It is written right under this forum's title.)

So, this would be one of those examples you talk about about me jumping on your head from out of the blue with a nasty personal attack?

You're such a charmer. I can understand why you wouldn't want to have your own account here and felt you needed to usurp the account of a dead person and pull that name through the mud.

 

[lance gt]

But . . . but . . . that wasn't one of the choices.

Did you go blind when you fell, Humpty? The second choice is what he chose. A male reader from a female chararacter's POV. Duh.

 

[sr71plt]

Did you go blind when you fell, Humpty? The second choice is what he chose. A male reader from a female chararacter's POV. Duh.

Umm, no, I don't think I'm the blind one. He said by a female writer, not from a female character's POV. You think those are the same thing? Hmmm.

Or you just wanted to attack me with more false premise?

 

[lance gt]

Umm, no, I don't think I'm the blind one. He said by a female writer, not from a female character's POV. You think those are the same thing? Hmmm.

Or you just wanted to attack me with more false premise?

It's clearly what he meant, but you just love to show people how stupid they are, don't you. Feeling big and powerful now? Still can't read a sentence and understand what it actually says? There's more proof for you. You read whatever you want into someone's post and attack them, because you thought they said this, when they really said that, but you are such a stunned wonder, you don't see that. Where's the false premise now, Humpty? Open your fucking eyes and read the words written, not what you think the words are. Judging from post after post, you have a serious problem comprehending things clearly. I'd get that checked out.

 

[sr71plt]

It's clearly what he meant,

Oh, so you did just post to attack me--knowing that I had been right, that what he posted wasn't an option.

So, are you going to be bringing the forum down tonight by an across-the-board attack on me? Should I go get a Coke and some popcorn?

 

[lovecraft68]

I enjoy reading from the female point of view and most of my writing is done as the female character. I like to make my erotica descriptive and for the most part the guy is all about his cock and the act. Writing from female POV gives more opportunity to describe more of the subtle things involved with sex.

 

[oggbashan]

I write from both points of view as oggbashan and as jeanne_d_artois.

When I read? The point of view doesn't matter as long as the story interests me. I can't vote because the choices don't include "either".

Whether the writer is male or female? How do I know?

 

[Verdad]

I don’t care who the writer is. If their gender flashes at me like a neon sign, it’s probably not a very good story or at least not one that’s meant to appeal to me.

I don’t care whose POV it is either, in regular fiction. In wank material, I have a slight preference for male POV.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

What I prefer is WELL WRITTEN erotica. If you're a dude, unless you've got a good female editor and do a bunch of research, FOR ME you'll never be able to credibly write from a female POV because you ain't one. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I am saying that it would take more work, talent & editing effort than most dudes are willing to invest.

Good advice.

Last night I read a good approximation of the female POV but the author made it clear he was expressing what the female told him. And it worked well.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I enjoy reading from the female point of view and most of my writing is done as the female character. I like to make my erotica descriptive and for the most part the guy is all about his cock and the act. Writing from female POV gives more opportunity to describe more of the subtle things involved with sex.

I recently learned how to switch POVs within scenes so the experience is closer to 3D.

 

[Feotakahari]

For the record, I do have a female editor, who's called me out on the more glaring errors I've picked up from reading hentai manga.