How do we write diverse characters in fiction? What are the do’s and don’ts of writing race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, origin, ability, age, appearance, and so on?
Join Bethany A. Tucker and Mariëlle S. Smith as they explore why representation matters and how we, as writers and editors, can do better.
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How do we write diverse characters in fiction? What are the do’s and don’ts of writing race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, origin, ability, age, appearance, and so on?
Join Bethany A. Tucker and Mariëlle S. Smith as they explore why representation matters and how we, as writers and editors, can do better.
In this episode of Doing Diversity in Writing, Bethany and guest host Louvie Tucker talk about writing better male characters. This is the first part of a two-part episode on the topic.
Here’s what we talk about:
Masculinity in terms of definition
How class affects definitions of masculinity
Deconstructing arrogance, emotionality, and protective instincts assigned to male characters
Should we write all male characters with straightforward personalities?
The male character, lust, and ego
Making room in our stories for male characters who aren’t leaders or in search of power
The myth of the capable gentleman
The effects of wish fulfilment writing on men
And here are the (re)sources we mentioned on the show:
May 10th, 2022 Video Tiktok by @marcusterritory “When I stopped identifying with the label ‘man’”: https://www.tiktok.com/@marcusterritory/video/7096216725351337222?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
“The Selfishness of Altruism” by Loretta G. Breuning: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-neurochemical-self/201604/the-selfishness-altruism
“Men and Things, Women and People: A Meta-Analysis of Sex Differences in Interests” by Rong Su et al.: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/38061313_Men_and_Things_Women_and_People_A_Meta-Analysis_of_Sex_Differences_in_Interests
“How to Write a Damn Good Man” by Robert Wood: https://www.standoutbooks.com/writing-male-characters/
Articles that we found problematic but useful for conversation:
“How to Write a Male Character” by Josh Prior: https://www.jeuneauthors.com/post/how-to-write-a-male-character#:~:text=Even%20if%20you%27re%20writing,what%27s%20in%20it%20for%20him.
“On Writing Convincing Male Characters” by Randy Ingermanson: https://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2010/08/13/on-writing-convincing-male-characters/
Films and novels we reference:
The Indiana Jones franchise
Gladiator starring Russel Crowe
The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hunger Games series written by Suzanne Collins
John Wick 1, 2, & 3
The Visitor by Louvie Tucker
The Queen’s Enforcer by Ciara Darren
Find Louvie Tucker’s novel, The Visitor, here. Available in eBook and print form on Amazon, and as an eBook in most online stores.
This week’s episode page can be found here: https://representationmatters.art/2022/07/31/s3e4/
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Doing Diversity in Writing
How do we write diverse characters in fiction? What are the do’s and don’ts of writing race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, origin, ability, age, appearance, and so on?
Join Bethany A. Tucker and Mariëlle S. Smith as they explore why representation matters and how we, as writers and editors, can do better.
