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NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 03:52 pm: | 
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Okay, this might ruffle some feathers, but what the heck. 
In general, do you find your interactions with male authors to be more positive or negative in comparison to the interactions with female authors?
Do you think female authors gravitate more toward their own gender, and vice versa?
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Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 05:22 pm: |
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NeeCee:
Okay, I'll bite. I find my interactions with authors to be generally positive--I find, as a male, my interactions with male authors to be rougher, more abrasive, as my interactions with males as a whole tend to be more like that--we butting heads and all that.
As for female autors gravitating more toward their own gender--I think that it depends on what kind of writing they are doing--and then too, it depends on whether females as a whole are gravitating toward them. I once out of curiousity attended a reading by a black romance author--I was the only male there. I was treated ok. I guess the same might hold for male authors.
I generally find authors of both sexes open regardless of gender--in the settings I have usuallly seen them in they were trying to sell themselves and they were on or at their best.
I remember one famous poet who was interested only in talking to females present--we drew some conclusions afterward that might not be accurate or fair. I remember one of the most brutal sessions I was ever at was with a female poet and writer, now dead. She conducted a workshop in which she cut several poor poets to shreds right in front of everybody, regardless of gender. |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 05:52 pm: |
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For some reason, I seem to put male authors on the defensive. They usually choose their words very carefully when I question them, and they seem to be a little sensitive. On the other hand, female authors are more receptive to my comments, and I prefer interacting with them. Just a sista thang, I guess. |
InPrint
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 09:37 pm: |
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An interesting question. I don't think I've ever noticed a gender thing in relation to attitudes. I've met some writers who've been very nice, and some who are monsters, but I haven't really noticed a trend. My list of worst people among writers is pretty mixed across gender and genre lines.
The ones to beware though are always the ones who take themselves too seriously. |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 06:21 am: |
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Cynique:
Wow, thanks for your reply. I think (or am learning) that men in general are more sensitive than what I've previously believed. So that's some insight there regarding guys and not just male authors. Also, in general, maybe both male and female are sensitive, or defensive, about their work. Just my guess. |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 06:26 am: |
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Chris Hayden:
Now your comment is enlightening as well. I didn't realize that male authors could be abrasive with other men. Maybe it is that defensive thing going on? Or maybe guys enjoy debating or passionately presenting their point of view?
I believe female writers are also passionate about their work, but we might behave more gently with females so they aren't as defensive. There's more support or understanding regarding their stories/characters. |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 06:28 am: |
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Everyone:
I also wanted to say that women express themselves differently than men. A female author probably can take compliments better than guys, they'll say 'thanks' and go on and on with gratitude; a man, on the other hand, might feel happy that you like what they do, but don't know how to express that. So they can grunt, (just kidding), or ice the conversation and all the praise, even though they love the kind words. And you'll think the guy is rude or something, but he just doesn't know how to respond. |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 06:30 am: |
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InPrint:
I agree with not taking yourself too seriously. Literature is too objective for everyone to like or get something out of the work, yet it goes back to a writer's passion about what they've written, and how they understand their story even if everyone else doesn't.
But I think encouraging the dialogue about people's work is very important because both of us will learn things we hadn't thought of before. |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 06:31 am: |
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Woops, I meant literature is too SUBJECTIVE. (slapping myself in the face). Sorry for the typo. |
Brian
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 09:03 am: |
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Everyone:
From my dealings with authors, I find the men to be more sensitive to comments and criticism. And, in one case, one male author (no, I'm not going to call him out) was pretty nasty and rude to me... |
Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 10:32 am: |
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NeeCee and Brian:
You ever see those nature films of two rams butting heads? One way or the other, that is the way it is with men. It may be very subtle--a joke, a comment, a statement, a look, a statement to someone else--there is some form of testingof feeling out---once territory is staked out then proceed from there. I think it is unconscious a biological thing. |
Susan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:13 am: |
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All:
Rudeness is sprinkled amongst both writers and readers. (Ever seen how some readers behave at signing/readings ... pushing, shoving and hogging the author's time no matter how long the line is behind them?) And, both male and female. No one group has a monopoly of such traits, even aggressiveness. I've experienced both male and female writers where the interaction was less than positive but I figured they would behave in the same manner, if they were school teachers, doctors, or store cashiers.
Susan |
NeeCee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:27 am: |
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Chris Hayden/Susan:
Very good points!! Well taken too. |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:54 am: |
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Chris, I find your observations about the subtle interplay between men interesting. I've noticed it, too. It would seem that the masculine ego just can't divest itself of a need to be the Alpha Male. LOL |
Cecil
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 03:22 pm: |
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As an aspiring author, I haven't found one gender to be nicer or meaner than the other. What I have noticed is that male authors tend to advise me more along the lines of goal setting and persistence, while female authors tend to give advice about developing one's own style and expression---and persistence. In general, I think women authors tend to be a little more intimidated by me because of my size at first, but will warm up once they realize I'm not going to mug them (LOL).
Cecil
http://www.cecilwashington.com |
solomonjones
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 04:57 pm: |
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NeeCee -
Black folks spend over $350 million a year on books, and most of that money is spent by women. As male authors, we'd better be nice, because our female readers have families to take care of, bills to pay, kids to feed, and they have to prioritze how their money is spent. If a sister is holding it down by herself (and in many cases, women do), and still has time to take an interest in my work, I should be nice. I should be more than nice. I should be grateful. Because the bottom line is, that same $23.95 she's spending on The Bridge could have been spent on Pampers for the baby. That $13.95 she's spending on Pipe Dream could be formula.
Of course, there are some male authors who are not nice. I've met some of them. But I hope that I never get to the point where I think more highly of myself than I do my readers. Because without readers - female readers - there would be no need for me. |
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