Are men better writers than women?

Perks · Aug 12, 2014

When I meet people and it comes out that I'm a writer, I can't tell you how often people say, "Oh, do you write children's books?" or sometimes it's Romance.

Since the answer is crime fiction, I do wonder why the question isn't "What do you write?" if they really wanted to talk about it.

Bufty · Aug 12, 2014

Funny- I sometimes am surprised to learn a particular member is one gender when I assumed they were the other. No idea why- I thought you were male. Maybe the 'Jacksen' sound. Sorry. :Hug2:

jaksen said:
Ima gonna jump in before this thing gets locked and you'all throw aways the key!

When I got my award from the MWA and I was congratulated by other writers, several of them came forward to shake my husband's hand. Yes. I am a female writer with a husband, but many in the mystery-writing community assumed I was male. Why? Dunno.

Oh! Cuz I write so great, is why.

quicklime · Aug 12, 2014

Bufty said:
You mean you all type with your members
- and they talk as well?

we are an admittedly talented bunch

robjvargas · Aug 12, 2014

Wicked said:
A good writer is a good writer. It takes hard work to get there, and has nothing to do with what bits are between the author's legs.

Well... I wouldn't say *nothing*. It's one facet among many that makes each of us unique, and that's a good thing.

But it certainly does *not* define how good we are (or can be).

Wicked · Aug 12, 2014

robjvargas said:
Well... I wouldn't say *nothing*. It's one facet among many that makes each of us unique, and that's a good thing.

But it certainly does *not* define how good we are (or can be).

Hair splitter! I have no interest in playing in the straw. Take it to P&CE. :tongue

Yes, everything about a writer can be broken down into the individual. The whole of our lives, learning, and experiences inform our work.
Which doesn't support the "men v women" argument.

Perks · Aug 12, 2014

Wicked said:
Hair splitter! I have no interest in playing in the straw.

Why do you bring up hair when the conversation is about crotches? BRAIN BLEACH!!!!!!

quickWit · Aug 12, 2014

Wicked said:
Yes, everything about a writer can be broken down into the individual...

Well... I wouldn't say *everything*...

:e2bouncey

Alpha Echo · Aug 12, 2014

I haven't read all these posts, but my $.2 - I really don't pay attention to the author.

If I see a title and/or a cover that interests me, I read the blurb and maybe a few pages, and I'm still interested - I buy the book.

Then, once I'm finished, if I really enjoyed it, I may finally pay attention to who the author is to see whether or not he/she has more books out there.

But most of the time, unless I've purposely read an author I have already decided I like, I don't know what gender the author is.

Wicked · Aug 12, 2014

Perks said:
Why do you bring up hair when the conversation is about crotches? BRAIN BLEACH!!!!!!

And thank you, now my mind is officially in the gutter. :roll:

Beautiful mental image.

Does anyone else hear the mods breaking out the padlocks?

Wicked · Aug 12, 2014

quickWit said:
Well... I wouldn't say *everything*...

"You're killin' me, Smalls."

Damn those blanket statements.

In general, speaking from my experience, . . .

KTC · Aug 12, 2014

Perks said:
When I meet people and it comes out that I'm a writer, I can't tell you how often people say, "Oh, do you write children's books?" or sometimes it's Romance.

Since the answer is crime fiction, I do wonder why the question isn't "What do you write?" if they really wanted to talk about it.

Yep. Gender specific biases are bizarre. They sometimes ask me if I write action or mystery or stuff like that. Contemporary YA here...with Romantic elements. Like I said WAY up thread...trying on dresses. I mean, we have to fit the stereotypes, right. ARGH!

Bufty · Aug 12, 2014

Perks · Aug 12, 2014

KTC said:
Yep. Gender specific biases are bizarre. They sometimes ask me if I write action or mystery or stuff like that. Contemporary YA here...with Romantic elements. Like I said WAY up thread...trying on dresses. I mean, we have to fit the stereotypes, right. ARGH!

Kevin, you great, talented manly-girl or girly-man or whatever you are - keep doing you. We love you for it.

Cyia · Aug 12, 2014

Wicked said:
Does anyone else hear the mods breaking out the padlocks?

They've got to get the inmates back into the asylum somehow!

Wicked · Aug 12, 2014

Cyia said:
They've got to get the inmates back into the asylum somehow!

Damn. And I was hoping they wouldn't notice I was missing.

shelleyo · Aug 12, 2014

Sesselja said:
There's a debate going on here in Norway now, about whether men are better fiction writers than women. In an article in a paper over here, one-book author Ole Idar Kvelvane argues that publishing houses should be more restrictive in publishing new female writers, so that more male writers could get a chance to be published. Apparently, Kvelvane has known for a long time that male writers are better than female writers, and he cannot think of one single female writer he has read.

The arguments that are presented in the article itself can be picked apart as easy as Lego, and the writer has mostly succeeded in alienating readers by his immature analysis. But the question remains: Are men better writers than women?

Why does the question remain? I don't think it does. It's a stupid ass question.

Are men better painters than women? Are they better dancers? Are men better flossers than women? Can men write their names in the snow easier? Okay, that last one's ones a yes. The rest of the questions are loaded, patriarchal, misogynistic, subjective bullshit that don't warrant answers.

KTC · Aug 12, 2014

Perks said:
Kevin, you great, talented manly-girl or girly-man or whatever you are - keep doing you. We love you for it.

lol. And, hey you! Don't go changing! (-:

KTC · Aug 12, 2014

shelleyo said:
It's a stupid ass question.

+1

FTW

Haggis · Aug 12, 2014

So, let's take a temporary break until the forum mods get a chance to make a decision.

Sage · Aug 12, 2014

No, I vote that we give this zombie thread no more brains to eat.

Are men better writers than women?

Perks

delicate #!&@*#! flower

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

quicklime

all out of fucks to give

robjvargas

Wicked

Outcast Rogue

Perks

delicate #!&@*#! flower

quickWit

Totally Ninja!

Alpha Echo

I should be writing.

Wicked

Outcast Rogue

Wicked

Outcast Rogue

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Perks

delicate #!&@*#! flower

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Wicked

Outcast Rogue

shelleyo

Just another face in a red jumpsuit

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Haggis

Evil, undead Chihuahua

Sage

Supreme Guessinator