phurst

Since you buy 75% of all books I would appreciate your feedback on

http://www.writingforums.com/critiqu...e-comment.html

and

http://www.writingforums.com/writers...tle-stuff.html

It appears that men critique more of the stuff I see and women read. I want to know what you like. Please don't be offended at this. I just would like some women to critique my stuff.

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KangTheMad

*blinks* Wow. Thats borderline sexist. Im a guy and I read like mad. There are tons of girls here who critique...

Metok' Ha'esh!

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lilacstarflower

I critique...

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Serendipity

Hello there!

I read Ulasiga - Chapter One and the comments already posted. While I didn't really focus on the technicalities of writing, I focused more on "would I be interested in this story enough to buy it?"

I will be honest, I'm not one for horror books. I would venture to say that there is a population of women out there that are. However, unless I had a guy give me the book and tell me I just had to read it, I probably would not buy it. (It might be a good idea to focus on one market segment though, go for guys with gusto if it is for guys.)

The upside:
I actually read the entire chapter and was interested enough to finish it. Your initial storyline is intreaguing and I think you have a pretty decent mix of dialogue and description.

The downside:
I hate to say it but those names just chop up what you have written. I personally don't like to "focus" so much on the pronunciation of character's names, so if you need to keep it Native American, find names that are more simple to read.

Short and sweet: If you want more women to read this book, you'll have to give a female a larger role, or introduce a female character that women can identify with. The only female so far is the mother and she has a very limited role.

Hope this helps

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phurst

You are correct. Women like women protagonists and women victims. Still, I value women's opinions just as much as men's but I seem to get an abundence of men's critiques and very few women. Your input is appreciated. Thanks.

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Foxee

I'm finding your generalizations a bit wearing. I know lots of guys who read voraciously. And I like male characters just as much as female characters (if not more, honestly). I think that some of the widespread use of female protagonists is somewhat faddish.

Write what rings true and let the chips fall where they may.

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phurst

Just what I was told at the writer's conference by many agents and writers, several best sellers, includingTess Gerritsen (If I can't trust her then...). If I can't believe them, then who am I to beleive. I apoligize for wearing you down. I always strive to take each individual as an individual and not catagoize anyone. There are always exceptions, ALWAYS. Please try not to be so sensitive, it wasn't directed at you but the audience in general.

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Foxee

Sensitive? If this is the way you respond to my opinion you may have to really work at writing believable female protagonists. All I'm saying is that writing something because there is a trend in the market is an iffy thing. You have to be good enough to make it believable and quick enough to ride the trend.

I've read female characters (main and not) in major authors' books (Robert Ludlum springs to mind) that read as though they were only there because someone told the author the same thing you're hearing. Not because the story called for it.

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dhyre

The wording in your question needs work because gender roles are changing and maybe the things you are reading are more commonly read by males than females.So, maybe your are getting biased results because of your own bias. I would also not claim that women by 75% of books, I think it is unfair to make such an assumption.

I critique, when what I have to say has not been posted. I find critiquing makes me more creative.

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*** correction: Writing is about individuality, breaking the rules, testing new grounds, listening to ourselves. That's why we do it, to show we are individuals, we are human and because everyone's idea deserves a chance, even if you don't think so.

dhyre

I totally agree, I am sick of reading books where the female is there because the protagonist wants someone to murder, rape and pillage. I started reading Sara Douglass "The Troy Game Series." and Anne Bishop "The Black Jewels Trilogy." I would recommend those books for anyone looking for a strong flip of gender roles.

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*** correction: Writing is about individuality, breaking the rules, testing new grounds, listening to ourselves. That's why we do it, to show we are individuals, we are human and because everyone's idea deserves a chance, even if you don't think so.

phurst

I never said I write in anybody to fit any market. All I said is that I want some female opinions on my writing and responded to Serendipity's comment. I really don't know where you are coming from. Maybe reread the entire thread and see if amybe you read more into it than it did or PM me so this thread don't turn inot some mix up. I really don't mean to offend anyone, I just wanted some women to critique as 90% of my previous critiques were from men. Please, I apologize if I have offened you in any manner. And again, the number 75% comes from agents and authors and publishers from the SFWC. I didn't make them up. Not that they are correct but I trust them.

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Foxee

LOL, sorry dhyre, while I agree with what you just said I'm referring to something different.

I've read some female characters (not all by a long stretch) who are protagonists or at least major characters and their only aim is to sell books. There is a subtext that says, "Look! I put in a strong female character! She's darned near invincible so buy the book!"

One notable example is Janet Evanovich's 'Metro Girl'. While I really enjoy the Stephanie Plum character who's funny, insecure, and tomboyish when it suits her (and not weak, incidentally, though she is thankfully allowed to have weak moments) the character from 'Metro Girl' was just waaaay overblown. She was doing things that were completely outside the realm of possibility by the end of the book and it threw me out of the story big time.

Write female protagonists if you want to but make them real. Sycophantic writing doesn't do it for me.

Edit: Phurst, stop apologizing. These are my opinions. You asked for them. You got them. I'm not offended but gave you my thoughts.

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