Male or female MC?

[Neeli]

I was thinking about this from a marketing standpoint, and wondered if a story written with the MC as female would limit its market to mostly a female audience?

I keep seeing publishers wanting strong female leads, but I wonder if men read, for example, fantasy stories in which the lead character is female. I'm sure there are some who do, but in general doesn't a female lead limit the demographics to a female audience? Whereas a story with a male lead, depending on the genre, would be picked up by either gender?

[swvaughn]

Publishers are looking for strong female leads because females buy more books. :D

Doesn't necessarily mean they read more or less, just that they buy more. I know a lot of guys who read, but won't actually go and buy a book.

[Haphazard]

Hmm.

My main character is neither (but is being acknowledged as female for the majority of the story, as in using female pronouns). I wonder if that's a turn-off to the market? XD

I remember hearing that Harry Potter was originally going to be about a girl, but it was changed for marketing purposes. It's really sad that Rowling had to do that. Harry would have made a swell girl, I think.

It really depends on what would fit best with the story. If the story was really good (or at least made it big, like Memoirs of a Geisha), then it's not going to matter.

[JoNightshade]

I think there's more leeway in the sci-fi fantasy genres. In other genres I think a female MC will indicate a female readership fairly strongly. But I know lots of guys who read sci fi and fantasy who wouldn't think twice about a female lead. Females in sf/f tend to be very strong and almost, dare I say, masculine. If not that, then they're sexy... which guys like. :) So I'd say it depends on what your female is like.

[Begbie]

As a male reader, I'm guilty of selecting books that feature a male lead.

[JAGiunta]

I read Fantasy almost exclusively, and I've seen many with a female MC. It made no difference to me really. As long as the story is entertaining, I can live with either.

[ClaudiaGray]

What SW Vaughn said -- I've had my agent gently suggest that I backburner one of my projects because it's a male MC, and women buy most of the books. Of course, as a woman, I buy books with male MCs all the time, so I'm not sure whether this is reality or publishing's take on reality.

[NeuroFizz]

Your first concern should be what works best for the story--what will give the richest, three-dimensional characterization and the best of sub-plots. If the story doesn't demand a specific gender, try one out and see how it goes.

[swvaughn]

What SW Vaughn said -- I've had my agent gently suggest that I backburner one of my projects because it's a male MC, and women buy most of the books. Of course, as a woman, I buy books with male MCs all the time, so I'm not sure whether this is reality or publishing's take on reality.

Me too. I enjoy male MCs quite a bit. But them there publishers' marketing people shall not be swayed by our opinions, alas. :D

Major bummer about your backburner project, though. I hope that you get a ginormous name for yourself, so you can publish anything you want. :)

[Willowmound]

I remember hearing that Harry Potter was originally going to be about a girl, but it was changed for marketing purposes.

That can't be true, since Rowling has repeatedly told the story of how Harry Potter walked into her head "fully formed" one day she was riding the train.

I do think a lot of men wouldn't want to read a book with a female protagonist. This sucks a little since the MC of my WIP is a girlie, but I refuse to get hung up in details like "sales". ;)

And as has been said, women read more than men anyway.

So bring on the girlies!

[Xx|e|ph|e|me|r|al|xX]

Xx|I wouldn't be surprised, after reading this thread, if I had to change all my babes' genders for "marketing purposes". I swear, if they say that, I'd sooner forgo publishing at all than change it. :tongue

My story has four males as the MCs. All females are SCs, in the form of one of the antagonists and the former lover of one of the MCs, another MC's kids' nanny, and his daughter, mother, grandmother, and great aunt. I wouldn't be surprised if they asked me to change the antagonist/ex-lover to male and all of the four mains to female.

It's strange, those stereotypes and marketing things, yeah? XD|xX

[JohnDavidPaxton]

You can have female protagonists!?

[Varthikes]

I'm a guy, and one of my favorite books, Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey, as a female MC. But then, I'm far from normal...

[Simon Woodhouse]

As a reader, I tend not to dwell on things like the lead character's gender or what they look like. It's the whole story experience that draws me in.

When I write, I try to choose a character that first and foremost interests me. So far I've created two female MCs and one male. I chose their genders based on what seemed best for the story, and what felt like the most interesting to write.

As I'm writing, I try not to think in terms of what is and isn't marketable, because that seems like it would kill the story.

[swvaughn]

You can have female protagonists!?

*snerf*

If you must. :D

[JBI]

From a marketing standpoint, I would say that for a younger audience, a female protagonist will generally lack acceptance from a male readership.

You mentioned fantasy, whereupon generally you have a standard protagonist of a Caucasian young male farm boy going off on adventures. Of course, this cliché can be broken around, as seen by writers like Ursula K. LeGuin (though she didn't break out of the male protagonist until her second book of the Earthsea). From my perspective, I would say if you intend to draw male readership, with the intention to sell as many books as possible as your main objective, then try to keep a male protagonist. If however you feel like innovating/expanding on the standard archetypes of fantasy, then go ahead. Just warning you however, if your intention is to conquer the male audience (younger male, aged between I would say 12-25) then be careful.

[Wolvel]

Gender doesn't matter to me as long as the story is strong enough, who cares.

As for my WIP my MC is male but really I have several MC's and one of them is a major influence on the main MC and it's a female MC.

So what I'm saying is if you want to use a female or male MC it's your book do as you want to.

[Shady Lane]

I'm a girl.
I don't read books with female protagonists.
I don't write books with female protagonists.

Sexist?
Yep.

[reenkam]

I rarely notice gender except to visualize the character. Or if they have some kind of sexual experience...then I guess it might matter.

Now that I think about it, I guess gender's important. Otherwise we wouldn't talk about it. But I think they can both work, though I guess more girls do read, in general. But, depending on your genre, like everyone's saying, it might not matter then.

If your book's good, then it probably should matter anyway. Though...I guess there are good books that one gender loves but the other doesn't...

This was quite possibly my most unhelpful post ever.

[WorldPlanter]

Publishers are looking for strong female leads because females buy more books. :D

Doesn't necessarily mean they read more or less, just that they buy more. I know a lot of guys who read, but won't actually go and buy a book.

Sounds like me a bit. Fortunately my wife and I have similar reading interests so I'll often just read what she bought after she's done with it.

[Esopha]

I always thought it was the publisher's job to worry about marketing? In my opinion, the character comes with the story, because the novel is inevitably about the character's story. Trying to change the gender of one of my MC's wouldn't work (because they would revolt, tie me to a spit and roast me over a fire).

[chartreuse]

You know, reading is one of my main passions in life, and up until this second it never occurred to me to choose a book based on the MC's gender. It is a complete non-issue.

That being said, thinking back, I'd have to say that the books I favor do tend to have male MCs. Not all the time, but a good majority of the time.

Which makes me wonder why, of my two WIPs, both have female MCs.

[ZannaPerry]

The story I'm writing the female is the main character, but I've also read books where it can be either/or. Both male and female have strong points in the book, but who's book do you really call it? From the female's perspective, the male's? Does it all depend on who's telling the story?

[JEMcGee]

I think it's easier for women to relate to men than for men to relate to women so if you want a male readership it has to be male - unless, as someone mentioned, it's fantasy/sci-fi where the woman is strong/sexy.

This is true with movies as well... movies with a female protagonist are usually 'chick flicks' unless it's sci-fi fantasy where the woman wears very little and kicks vampire butt or something.

In my novel right now I have 2 female MC's and 3 males... one of the MC women is a bit of a player with two of the MC men in the novel in love with her and possibly a third or forth secondary character as well as the antagonist... it crossed my mind that it was a bit much - that most women who act like that are not the protagonist, they are the antagonist... and then I thought about James Bond.

So now, I'm going to do what works for the story and the character...

[RRK]

The MC of my first WIP is a female, and the MC of my second is a male, since I was trying to mix it up. I had no idea that people actually decide what to read based on the MC's gender! As a reader I don't care as long as the character is well-written, and my bookshelves sport a mix of the two.

[Tasmin21]

MC for my fantasy is female. For my urban fantasy, it's male.

I don't think I've ever paid any attention to the MC's gender when selecting a book.

[JanDarby]

Standard wisdom is that females will read a book with either a male or female protagonist, but males (particularly young males) will overwhelmingly choose to read only books with male protagonists.

There are exceptions, of course, and you have to factor in that women do the vast majority of the book-buying and book-reading.

Also, market demand changes. Bob Mayer wrote an action adventure book some years ago with a female protagonist, and uniformly got rejections stating that the market for action-adventure wouldn't read a book with a female protagonist. And then along came Laura Croft and some other female action heroines, and the market changed somewhat, and Mayer re-submitted, and the book got snapped up, and I believe there's a sequel out now too.

JD

[Azraelsbane]

I have 4 MCs and an antagonist that is trying his damnedest to become a MC too. 4 men and 1 woman.

I've never picked a book based on the gender of the MC, and as others have said, it never occurred to me that people judged before finding out whether the character was strong or not. Hmm, color me naive.

[JoNightshade]

but males (particularly young males) will overwhelmingly choose to read only books with male protagonists.

Young females do this, too. Choose books with male protags, that is. Er, at least I did.

When I was little it just seemed like all the books with girl MC's were about... GIRLIE things. BOYS got to have adventures, and that's what I wanted, too.

[Sassee]

Normally it doesn't matter to me what the gender is for the MC, although I obviously identify more with female MC's since I'm a girl.

Although, I would like to see more males walking into the urban fantasy realm with first person PoV. Not many of those (or not that I've found anyway... I'd love to be corrected). That particular niche seems to be flooded with females. Are we just better at expressing ourselves through first person?

[swvaughn]

Normally it doesn't matter to me what the gender is for the MC, although I obviously identify more with female MC's since I'm a girl.

Although, I would like to see more males walking into the urban fantasy realm with first person PoV. Not many of those (or not that I've found anyway... I'd love to be corrected). That particular niche seems to be flooded with females. Are we just better at expressing ourselves through first person?

Ooh! I'm writing one of those! (First person POV urban fantasy w/male MC, that is).

And I'm a female.

I'll have to correct you if I get it published, huh? :D

Also -- Jim Butcher's Dresden Files is 1st-P UF w/male MC (didn't want to type that out again :D)

[Shady Lane]

Young females do this, too. Choose books with male protags, that is. Er, at least I did.

When I was little it just seemed like all the books with girl MC's were about... GIRLIE things. BOYS got to have adventures, and that's what I wanted, too.

*points to self.* Yep.

[Chasing the Horizon]

I think it probably depends on the character. I suppose maybe not for initial sales based on the back cover blurb, but for word of mouth it would.

I know that despite the fact that the MC in my fantasy series is male, the appeal is almost entirely to female readers. Male readers don't really like my hero, because he's sensitive rather than being a 'tough' guy. Men always seem to focus on my one female character, who's a secondary MC. She's a very sexy tough-as-hell fantasy warrior heroine. So my characters actually appeal mainly to readers of the opposite gender from their own.

I don't pay much attention to gender when selecting books myself, though thinking back, I do generally gravitate to male MCs unless the books are romance, and even then I hate it when it's more than 50% the heroines POV.

[GeorgeK]

I think it's easier for women to relate to men than for men to relate to women ...

I disagree, I've met just as many chauvanistic sows as boars. Some people have some empathy, and some don't. The gender doesn't matter there.

However I would guess that on a percentage basis more women buy books than men, and that men who read fantasy, generally aren't the Nascar/ Big time wrestling crowd. (It still irks me that the SciFi channel has big time wrestling. What's next...news or god-forbid "Reality TV"?"

As long as the female MC wasn't waving an estrogenic wand around and was nice to nice people, I don't see a problem. But then I'm not a publisher either.

[Neeli]

... And then along came Laura Croft and some other female action heroines, and the market changed somewhat, ....

No kidding. But Laura Croft is the kind of "girl" that the guys want to read about. Or is it salivate about?

As a female I find the same true about male MC's: I like the ones written by female authors because they know how to make a man that I can cheer for, identify with, and still dream about. I guess that's one of the reasons why I'm writing with a male MC. The other is of course that the story required a male MC because of the sexist nature of the time and place. Realistically, you wouldn't have a lone young woman going on adventures in 16th century western Asia.

Maybe the publishers need to do more marketing research. I think women want to read about men the way they'd like them to be, not just "strong women." I can't stand those "strong women" stories. Yuck. Give me a real woman who cries when she has a bad day, gets PMS, etc. That's what I like about Stephanie Plum. She's a real woman.

[HourglassMemory]

Until now I've only come up with a story in which the Mc is a girl.
I could change any other story though, to make the MC a girl.

[Zoombie]

When I was little it just seemed like all the books with girl MC's were about... GIRLIE things. BOYS got to have adventures, and that's what I wanted, too.

Am I the only one who reads Tamora Peirce around here?

Well...I seem to end up with female leads more often than not. Maybe it's because I secretly wish to be a woman?

No, that's not likely.

Maybe it is because I'm a man all the time and I want to see what it's like to be a girl for a short time?

Possibly...

Is it because I'd rather imagine someone attractive and enticing while I read a book?

Aha! That's it!

It's the same reason I only make female characters in CRPG's and MMO's. Because if I'm going to look at this character's bottom for 20 hours straight, as most CRPG's and MMO's are played from the third person (Just like how I write, now that I think about it), I at least want it to be a female bottom.

So, yes, my current WIP has 2 female leads and 2 male leads, so it's pretty even. Sure, three of them are cats and one of them is a nerdy teenager who plays way too much Starcraft, but he's still a male.

My last WIP has...3 male leads, 3 female. Hmm...

The WIP before that was...2 males, 1 female...but it was in first person, from the female's point of view. So that would make it more leaning towards the female, wouldn't it?

I think so. What do you think?

Yes, you! You in the back...with that silly hat on!

[Xx|e|ph|e|me|r|al|xX]

<snip for space's sake>
I think so. What do you think?

Yes, you! You in the back...with that silly hat on!
Xx|Moi? This hat is not silly! It is a black pinstripe fedora! [/really has a hat on]

Um...yeah. I do think so. XD What was the question?

Oh. Yeah, it does. Well, it depends. Sometimes not. Like when the first-person POV guy/gal is focusing on the others. Like my Michel. XD

I agree with you, though. I like reading about someone I love, can relate to, feel for, and be attracted to. My WIP is heavily male-leaning. It focuses mainly on the four MCs, all male. Then one of the other most important side characters is male (although another of the same variety is female). Michel has two sons (one daughter; but they're all young. 12 and under young). And the antagonist for the first arc and a half (er...like, 10 chapters, not counting the first four) is female. I try to slip the gals in, but the (rather effeminate oftentimes, granted,) guys FLOCK to me. xD

Wait, didn't I post in this thread? :flag:Lol oh well.|xX

[Zoombie]

Though, I'd have to mention that, on occasion, I will be attracted to male leads in stories. Most of Wen Spencer's stories, actually. Odd, isn't it?

And on a completely different topic: Why are all your posts center aligned like that?

[Xx|e|ph|e|me|r|al|xX]

Though, I'd have to mention that, on occasion, I will be attracted to male leads in stories. Most of Wen Spencer's stories, actually. Odd, isn't it?

And on a completely different topic: Why are all your posts center aligned like that?

Xx|Meh, exceptions to every rule.

'Cus I'm weird. Don't worry. It'll change when I change my signature (asap, I hope; This should be post 50, which means I can get my own avvie [as cute as the kitten is], which means i can restyle the entire posting routine). I just like having everything work together. Posting style, signature, avatar. A little OCD-ish, I suppose. It draws attention to the post and makes it look bigger though, so it is starting to get on my nerves, no matter how much I like how it looks. :Shrug:|xX

[Zoombie]

'Cus I'm weird.



Well, that's the BEST ANSWER I'VE EVER HEARD!

Ironically, all the men I've been attracted too in books have been hetro.

Bummer, no?

[triceretops]

I'm switching to females leads recently for marketing considerations and for my own practice, kind of like OJT for a male, macho bastid. I've always had very strong and intelligent secondary female characters, but now I'm inclined to give them the conductor's wand and let them have at it. My most recent thriller involves an 18-year-old, who was kicked out of the house and discovers that she has the capability of Gate-Walking, or time traveling. It's fun. But my agent told me to "dumb her down" a bit. I have her speaking like a female Spock. So...I'm learning about all this.

Tri

[Zoombie]

Uh...I'd only call her a female Spock if she pretended she didn't have emotions. Becuase we all know Spock doesn't really not have emotions.

But, then again, I am not your agent. If I was, I'd get myself published instead of you...no offense, but I really need the money ;)

[Xx|e|ph|e|me|r|al|xX]

Xx|Well, that's the BEST ANSWER I'VE EVER HEARD!

Ironically, all the men I've been attracted too in books have been hetro.

Bummer, no?

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n140/FallenAgain/smilies/lmao.gif Why thank you. :3

That's too bad...*fakesad face*...:D Oh well! More for me. ;) XD

Granted, they're probably not at all my type. Unless they were like this (http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n140/FallenAgain/Mayonaka02Mana.jpg) (or an Olde English Gentleman, or Michael Jackson, or a combo of the three)...

*fell behind*
Ha, if I can't get published, I'm taking up a career as an agent. Good idea. (whatdya wanna bet they have rules about agents representing themselves? XP)|xX

[triceretops]

But, then again, I am not your agent. If I was, I'd get myself published instead of you...no offense, but I really need the money

Was wondering if you could clarify that statement. Can't figure out if it was an attack on my tongue in cheek, or if I'm supposed to pay you money for something.

Tri




;)

[Zoombie]

Tongue and cheek, my good sir. Agents can't self represent...I think.

[Sassee]

Tri - don't "dumb her down." Bleh. Was it her speech pattern that your editor didn't like, or her actual level of intelligence? IMO, if you give her more personality, it won't matter that she speaks like Spock.

And isn't the expression "tongue in cheek?"

[Sassee]

Maybe the publishers need to do more marketing research. I think women want to read about men the way they'd like them to be, not just "strong women." I can't stand those "strong women" stories. Yuck. Give me a real woman who cries when she has a bad day, gets PMS, etc. That's what I like about Stephanie Plum. She's a real woman.

Stephanie Plum is a very strong woman, or she wouldn't be in her profession at all. There are different kinds of strengths - a woman doesn't have to be emotionless to be strong. It takes a lot more strength than you think to let yourself (or your character) be in tune with your feelings.

[Sassee]

Ooh! I'm writing one of those! (First person POV urban fantasy w/male MC, that is).

And I'm a female.

I'll have to correct you if I get it published, huh? :D

Also -- Jim Butcher's Dresden Files is 1st-P UF w/male MC (didn't want to type that out again :D)

Dresden is the only one I can think of. That's my point ;)

[Esopha]

Am I the only one who reads Tamora Peirce around here?

I read Tamora Pierce for that very reason. However, knight-and-dragon fantasy isn't everyone's cup of tea.

I've read plenty of books that have a strong, solid female MC. Libba Bray's series (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels) is very good (and theres sex!), as is In the Shadow of the Ark, East, and Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series (Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen).

I could list more, but I'm away from my library.

[mscelina]

Just out of curiosity, why in the world would anyone think about marketing considerations BEFORE they write their story? Hmmm? Doesn't it make more sense to write the story AS IT COMES TO YOU and then try to market after copious amount of work, etc. I have to admit that I'm not sold on the 'conventional wisdom' of the publishing industry. Okay, granted, specific agents/editors are looking for specific types of genre work, characters, elements--but seriously...trying to tailor something to a specific preferred type before you even have the story on paper? Sounds like a pain in the pooty to me.

[maestrowork]

Just write your story. It's not something you should worry about.

Some genres do favor one sex over another (thrillers are male-dominated, but there are exceptions). But again, let your story decide.

I'm a male and the last thing I worry about when picking up a book is the sex of the protagonist. I really don't care. I want a good story, and a PERSON I can relate to. If someone tells me "I can't relate to the MC because she's a girl" I would think something is not quite right with that person.

The thing that you SHOULD worry about is whether you can convincingly write about someone who is of a different sex than you. I've seen some of the best writers messing it up because they rely on sexual stereotypes and cliches.

[Stew21]

write the story with the best character for the job. Let your eventual agent and editor determine the marketing of it.
I believe there is plenty of room for both male and female MC's on the shelves. I don't think it matters that a book doesn't reach both male and female audiences. Some well established authors write both interchangeably (Stephen King has a number of female leads and a number of male leads, not to mention children as leads). If the story is good, it doesn't matter.

[Zoombie]

There aren't that many dragons.

[triceretops]

Tri - don't "dumb her down." Bleh. Was it her speech pattern that your editor didn't like, or her actual level of intelligence? IMO, if you give her more personality, it won't matter that she speaks like Spock.

What he said was that her speach patterns were not typical of an 18-year-old girl. "She sounded like a middle-aged woman." I think the dialogue was too stilted and contrived. She's highly intelligent, and has earned a scholarship to Harvard, so I thought I was doing the right thing. I think I have to strive for "realistic" dialogue and conversation.

Yes, it is tongue in cheek.

Tri

[Sassee]

Tri - don't "dumb her down." Bleh. Was it her speech pattern that your editor didn't like, or her actual level of intelligence? IMO, if you give her more personality, it won't matter that she speaks like Spock.

What he said was that her speach patterns were not typical of an 18-year-old girl. "She sounded like a middle-aged woman." I think the dialogue was too stilted and contrived. She's highly intelligent, and has earned a scholarship to Harvard, so I thought I was doing the right thing. I think I have to strive for "realistic" dialogue and conversation.

Yes, it is tongue in cheek.

Tri




That might be a case of what she's talking about rather than how she's saying it... or was that what you just said? OMG, I need a nap.

[triceretops]

Well, I think it was a combination of both. I think her diction might be too formal. Maybe it's also a case of author intrusion, in where my theories are popping straight out of my head and flying right out of her mouth. Doh! When he gets back from vacation, we'll hash this out and It'll be made more clear to me what he means.

Tri

[Esopha]

There aren't that many dragons.

...you realize now I have to count them.

...Nine...ish! (Skysong, Skysong's mom, the two old dragons, the two young dragons, the one cranky dragon, blind dragon, other cranky dragon, various other dragons.)

[Danger Jane]

My writing goes from mostly female characters, like one of the five characters is a guy, to pretty balanced. But I've not yet written a male protag because boys are confusing and sometimes kind of yucky. (Why did I ever watch that stupid movie on MTV? I never watch MTV!) I'm lame.

But I don't care when I'm reading if the MC is male or female.

[RainbowDragon]

Hmm.

I remember hearing that Harry Potter was originally going to be about a girl, but it was changed for marketing purposes. It's really sad that Rowling had to do that. Harry would have made a swell girl, I think.


Do you have a source for this? I saw her on an interview say that the character appeared to her as Harry (there was never a Harriet Potter :)

Sounds like one of those insidious rumors...

[maddythemad]

I read young adult and adult books with MCs of both gender. However, from around the age of 5-11, I was only interested in a book if there was a female protagonist. Harry Potter was the exception to that rule, because, well, it's Harry Potter. Nuff said.

[rosebud1981]

Do you have a source for this? I saw her on an interview say that the character appeared to her as Harry (there was never a Harriet Potter :)

Sounds like one of those insidious rumors...


Harry was always Harry. However JK Rowling wrote under initials so that people wouldn't know that she was a woman writing about a boy. It was thought that it might put off boys from reading the story

[wayndom]

I don't read fantasy, but I sure wasn't put off by the femality of the MC in The Silence of the Lambs...

I also find that I'm more comfortable writing stories with female MC's. I heard an interview with Sydney Sheldon once, in which he was asked why so many of his MC's are female. He said, because women are more interesting than men. My own experience agrees with his statement.

And yes, women do buy far more books than men. And anything that women put on the bestseller list is going to be read by men, too.

[triceretops]

"I also find that I'm more comfortable writing stories with female MC's. I heard an interview with Sydney Sheldon once, in which he was asked why so many of his MC's are female. He said, because women are more interesting than men. My own experience agrees with his statement."

I kind of agree with this. I find that a female's emotional depth is easier to access than her counterpart. I usually have to beat the emotions out of my male characters, whereas my gals give up a certain amount of complexity much earlier on in the storyline.

Tri

[Shady Lane]

"I also find that I'm more comfortable writing stories with female MC's. I heard an interview with Sydney Sheldon once, in which he was asked why so many of his MC's are female. He said, because women are more interesting than men. My own experience agrees with his statement."

I kind of agree with this. I find that a female's emotional depth is easier to access than her counterpart. I usually have to beat the emotions out of my male characters, whereas my gals give up a certain amount of complexity much earlier on in the storyline.

Tri

That's funny, because I have such the opposite problem. Girls bury everything; they think they're being upfront, but it's all under a layer of niceties and low self esteem. Boys are so much easier to figure out. Boys are either emotional or they're not; girls are always emotional, but they're rarely the emotion they're actually feeling.

[Wolvel]

In mine my MC is male But I have several MC's actually, and one of the strongest is a female.

[Xx|e|ph|e|me|r|al|xX]

"I also find that I'm more comfortable writing stories with female MC's. I heard an interview with Sydney Sheldon once, in which he was asked why so many of his MC's are female. He said, because women are more interesting than men. My own experience agrees with his statement."

I kind of agree with this. I find that a female's emotional depth is easier to access than her counterpart. I usually have to beat the emotions out of my male characters, whereas my gals give up a certain amount of complexity much earlier on in the storyline.

Tri

Xx|I haven't had that problem with my guys. Angel's the only one really guy-like in that sense. And even he shows emotion when around Symph or Alfie, because he knows them so well, and Michel, because, well, Michel has a way of dragging it out of people and onto himself. All my guys, there, are pretty emotional. But I know Alfie's fiance-of-times-past, Frida, was pretty much in constant PMS. The antagonist for the first part of the book, she's a bottle-it-inside kind, and ends up killing herself. So actually I think they're all pretty emotional...

Musing over.

Point being that I have no trouble in reaching the "emotional depth and complexity" of my guys. XD I'm going to treat that realization like it's a good thing. :3

Anyway, I mainly ventured back in here to add that, while Whisper features four male MCs, my newest WIP is about, primarily, two guys and an "it". I'm still playing with the plotline, but I'm pretty sure there's a gal later on that the "it" befriends. :tongue

[/pointless post]|xX

[amber_grosjean]

My first book was from the female POV most of the story. Men have been reading it. The second is from the male POV but it does have a sexual nature so I'm sure men will enjoy this one too. It hasn't come out yet so I'm not really sure either way.

But with Cursed Blood, I have this gentleman who has been emailing me everyday trying to set up a time for me to meet him and sign his copy. He wants to be penpals lol. There are a few others who didn't enjoy reading but after picking up this book, they couldn't put it down. Even my husband who only wants to read the paper or something to do with sports, read the book.

For some, it does matter what gender you use, for others, as long as the story is good no one will care. You can't please everyone but you can try to please as many as possible lol.

[Dhewco]

I don't care about the gender when I'm searching for something to read. If I'm looking for something from a new author, I usually care more about the age of the character. I love books that put kids in unusual positions. Like Firestarter, The God Project, Lightning, and others of that nature. I feel I recover something of my youth reading these books. Another plus, those types of books are not YA, so I don't feel like a weirdo for being a 33 yo man reading a book with a kid protagonist.


I must be crazy, LOL.

David