What If The Shoes Don’t Fit

I’m not comfortable teaching other writers how to write, but sometimes I like to have fun writing about writing. If you’re not a writer, this post might give you an idea about the many aspects fiction authors have to take into consideration when writing fiction.

If the shoe fits . . . well, it sure makes it easier to step into the role of your character. What if you’re a male writing about a female? Stepping into her shoes might be difficult.

Lynn Kelley

It can be tricky to balance, especially in spikes. At first it’s awkward. You might fall. Dust yourself off and get back up on those heels. You’ll soon find yourself strutting or prancing through your plot.

Lynn Kelley

Does your character need to move with the poise and grace of a prima ballerina? Impossible? Not if you practice, practice, practice.

 

Lynn Kelley There you go. Much better!

Lynn Kelley

Venturing into a new genre, exploring terrain your psyche never dared to conquer before? Those magic shoes could carry you off into mysterious, mystical realms. Try them on.

 

Lynn KelleyDon’t forget to pay attention to little details. Does your teen female curl her toes when Dreamland Dude flirts with her?

Lynn Kelley

What if you’re a female stepping into a male character’s shoes? What kind of stance does he have? Are you taking note of his features, like those hairy legs? With a little creativity (and some black eyeliner – yes, those hairs are drawn on), you’ll be on the right track.

 

Lynn Kelley

Whether you’re a female writing about male characters or a male writing about female characters, in the beginning you might have to tighten the reigns to head them in the right direction. Once they come to life, you could find yourself wrangling with the keyboard to keep up as they gallop down the trail, daring to leap off the edge of the page. Whoa!

 

Lynn Kelley
Do you find a good fit filling your character’s shoes when they’re the opposite sex or from a different culture? It certainly can be challenging.

“Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were thought up only a little more than a century ago?”
                                                                                   ~ Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

What are your thoughts? Do you like creative writing? Have you ever written in the viewpoint of the opposite sex? Was it easy or hard? 
I’d love to hear from you!
Photo credit: Man with banana – RyanMcGuire at Pixabay

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6 Responses to What If The Shoes Don’t Fit

  1. This is hilarious, Lynn!

    The first book I wrote had two male main characters. It was a western and still unpublished since I made every mistake in the world in it. One of these days I’ll read it again to see how the characters come across.

    Carol

  2. Great way to describe a writer’s life. LOVE those hairy legs too! 😀

  3. I find men pretty easy to write. I once read in an RWA chapter newsletter an article stating that men think about three things: sex, work, and sports. My husband asked what I was laughing at, so I told him. He looked up pensively, then said, “yep, that’a about right – and in that order.” LOL!

    • Yes, you’re great at writing men’s POVs. Those three things listed in that RWA newsletter are right on. Funny conversation with your husband! LOL! Thanks for sharing these snippets with us, Jennette! 🙂

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