Comments on: I need a hero: feminism, escapism and the female gaze

By: Lisa Searle

Lisa Searle — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:01:41 +0000

I have to agree with you Anne. Although I’ll always have a strong female lead I have to have a strong male lead as well, I could never have a book full of just women, I need some mind-candy! And I love writing my male characters, probably more so than the female ones. I tend to be more restrained and restricted with the women but the men I let my hair down with (so to speak). I like having a very strong male lead in my stories and in books that I read, although not to the point where they are overpowering and suffocating (not mentioning any names; Christian Grey…) So like you, I will also continue to write about hot men

By: Francis Knight

Francis Knight — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:24:03 +0000

I concur with Anne – when I read, I don’t (often) identify with the women*, I just want to fall a little bit (or a lot!) in love with the hero. And while I’ve read some great books with fantastic female characters, having a guy to fall for, that’s kind of my default.

* I don’t often come across female characters who are in any way like me. Often, all we share is a similarity in plumbing.

By: Jennie Ivins

Jennie Ivins — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:06:36 +0000

“Or because I don’t identify—and never have—with (stereo)typical female behaviour and hence my self-image is somewhat gender-neutral?”

I know I’m closer to this. In real life I have two girlfriends who aren’t related to me and have had about that many my whole life. To me guys are easier to get along with and are generally more interested in things I’m interested in than girls are. So while I don’t mind reading about female protags, I’m just as happy not reading about them.

By: Paul (@princejvstin)

Paul (@princejvstin) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:01:54 +0000

I’ve been doing some thinking along those lines. And in some cases, a minor or underdeveloped female character has, to me, been someone I would rather see the story from. This is more true in movies, but it applies in novels too.

For example, the new Total Recall. I would have been happy to have seen it entirely from Lori’s point of view. That would be interesting. And I would have liked it.

The book I am reading now has a female protagonist, and I am having no difficulty in reading it even if its not a man to identify with per se…

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:33:08 +0000

Oh, I’m not against writing female characters at all – but I can’t see myself focusing on a female protagonist with no guys in the mix. To me that would be very dull indeed!

By: Jo

Jo — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:43:32 +0000

I’m in love with all my male protagonists just a little bit, even the evil / repulsive ones! You can’t write a novel about someone you don’t care about. But Coby is an excellent character