The Doctor Is In

Every Friday I turn my blog into a couch and invite Dr. Sue O’Doherty to dole out some Writer’s Therapy. Today’s question is very close to my own heart and I love the doc’s advice. Please write to Dr. O’Doherty with your own questions at dr.sue at mindspring.com

WRITING LIKE A MAN

“There are two types of people in this world, human beings and women. And when women start trying to act like human beings, they are accused of trying to be men.”
—Simone de Beauvoir

Below, a writer struggles with the meaning of an ambiguous compliment:

Dear Dr. O’Doherty,
I'm a woman. I like being a woman. I like other women. I'm a feminist—or, at least, my own kind of feminist. But here's the deal. Whenever someone tells me that "even men would like your book" or "I didn't think I'd like your book because I thought it was more women's fiction" I bristle first. But then - and this is the part I'm embarrassed to admit - I'm thrilled.

And I hate myself for it.

But the truth is I don't want to be thrown in the girl ghetto. Am I a traitor to my sex for wanting to be out there with the big boys, too?
Wannabe Escapee

Dear Wannabe,
For most of the history of literature, it was understood that the ability to create high quality works of lasting importance depended on the production of testosterone and the possession of a Y chromosome. Naturally, no one believes this anymore—or, at least, no enlightened person will admit to this belief in mixed company. Even so, the playing field remains far from even. Books about concerns that have traditionally been labeled “feminine,” such as relationships, parenting issues, and the exploration of emotions must prove their legitimacy and seriousness in ways that books about business, war, and politics generally do not, and women who write about these “male” topicshave a harder time gaining a foothold. Writing by men dominates newspapers and general-interest magazines. And the disparity begins early: the majority of children’s books are geared toward a male readership.

Given that “men’s writing,” and books that are thought to appeal to males, remain the gold standard, it is understandable that you would be gratified by the remarks you quote. Don’t waste energy hating yourself for this perfectly understandable response. Instead, congratulate your readers on their open-mindedness and fabulous taste, and suggest that they continue expanding their worldview with other books penned by women. Then pat yourself on the back for writing books with universal appeal, and get back to work.

Susan O’Doherty, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with a New York City-based practice. A well-published author herself,she specializes in issues affecting writers. Send your questions to her at Dr.Sue at mindspring dot com.

Comments

[Susanne Dunlap]

Great post, Dr. Sue. I would add to that another observation: in the world of historical fiction, that written by men is somehow allowed to transcend the classification of "historical romance," whereas even works by women who do not fall into that category are assumed to belong there whether they do or not. It's infuriating.

[Susan O'Doherty]

Susanne, that is a fascinating point. It would be surprising to find Gore Vidal, Edward P. Jones, and Shakespeare shelved under "historical romance," wouldn't it?

[katharine weber]

Jonathan Franzen's Corrections would be considered a "domestic novel," had it been written by a woman, I am pretty sure. (Also the talking turd episode would have been edited out, but boys will be boys.)

[Dr.Sue]

That's true, Katharine. Much of Chekhov, too, I think.

[Diane davis]

But now, isn't it far more women that write for children than men? Look at the conferences. Women out number men by amazing numbers.... I've known several who have written under their initials rather than let out that this was another book written by a woman.
It seems to me that I've heard many people say that the tide has turned and that the complaint is that there aren't enough books focused towards boys or with boys as the main character.
"And the disparity begins early: the majority of children’s books are geared toward a male readership."

Are you talking here about older novels, historical fiction or what? I just can't see it being so for picture books or board books.

[Dr.Sue]

Diane, another writer voiced a similar objection on Readerville. The two surveys on children's literature I linked to confirm my own experience as a parent, that the "standard" kids' books (starting with Curious George, The Cat in the Hat, Thomas the Tank Engine, etc., up through The Hobbit, Harry Potter, Holes, and now Eragon, are fairly andocentric. It's amazing, though, how easy it is to find data backing up one's own preconceptions. I'd love to hear more about your experiences, and other readers'.

[Hank]

It's interesting to note that the National Endowment of Art's "Reading at Risk" study showed that women are considerably more likely than men to read literature. It may be that male writers will need to begin writing more about the subjects that have traditionally been the purview of women in order to be read in the future.

[The Happy Feminist]

This post has been featured on the Carnival of Feminists at

http://happyfeminist.typepad.com/happyfeminist/2005/12/holly_at_self_p.html