Writing: Male characters

I have been writing prolifically for the past decade.

First I started out writing poems, then short stories and then I turned my attention to full-length novels. In the past ten years, I've learned a lot about writing. In fact, I'm still learning, and I don't think it ever stops. A few months ago I tried re-read some of my early work; and most of it I couldn't even read. Why was that? Because it was written so damn poorly that it was unbearable. A cringe-worthy moment for sure.

I've written every genre from romance to sci-fi. I have learned where my strengths are, and I'm in my element when I write crime fiction. In case you haven't worked it out yet, yes, I am a female writer. You might assume that my lead characters are female - but they are not. I have written from the perspectives of both males and females, and I honestly enjoy the challenge of writing as a male character.

My debut novel The Underground is mostly written in first person by a male character named Jordan Kennedy. Until yesterday, I truly believed I'd created a great male character. I've always been a bit of a tomboy, I've played in a band with all guys and I've observed the behaviour of men. So, I figured I had finally cracked the male mind, and I understood how to write as the perspective of a man. However, even though I finished writing the book two years ago, professionally edited and all, I suddenly realized yesterday that Jordan was a goddamn sissy.

My aim was to create an unstable/vulnerable character, but I'd created him too unstable/vulnerable. I realized this when I re-read my book last night. Just two chapters in, Jordan Kennedy cried. Not once, not twice but THREE times in just two chapters. Now, yes, men cry at times, but I can count on one hand how many times I've seen a man cry this year. Sure, Jordan's gone through a tough time and suffers depression, but he was wayyyyy too weak. A female audience probably wouldn't mind, but the male audience would be banging their fists on the table while shouting, "Harden the &#$! up, Kennedy!"

So, two years after completing my novel, I found myself editing The Underground...again. I have had to go back through each chapter and well, "man up" my main character. No, it's not easy, but I now understand what I have to do - I have to think like a man.

Since going back and re-editing my work, I am now pleased to say that Jordan no longer cries three times in the first two chapters, and I've actually given him more of a personality. He still has that bit of vulnerability, but on the whole he is tougher. But, what I really need to do is to find some male friends to proof-read my book. I want The Underground to be appealing to both sexes, and with the latest edits, I think I've achieved that.

See what I mean? The learning process never stops.

- JD