Writing Men

Writing the male point of view when your are a woman author can be challenging. All my stories are the male hero's story. I have only written the Males POV and along the way I have learned a few things. 

Don't give men a lot of words like in women's dialogue. Some men talk but not as much most of the time like women. Give them fewer words that say as much. 

A word on height. We all want to make our heroes big and buff. Afterall they must save the damsel in distress right? But here are a couple I have run across. If you're hero is 6'5 and heavily muscular....he is not riding the bulls in the rodeo. The men who do that are only about 135 pounds and shorter. You're beefcake hero won't last on that eight second ride. Secondly, those very tall men often do not fit in regular size beds...their feet hang off for starters. So height is something to consider. 

Men have emotions too so don't forget that. Not all men are made of steel. They break down and cry too...I added a scene like that in my Wyatt's Bounty and had several comments from readers that they cried too. Give your handsome hero a meltdown. Big impact on story.

Men do not think like women. They may be more quick to respond and consise to answer with little thought. They also aren't apt to run paragraphs of thought through their heads on making decisions. Give them a thought or two and then an action. Men often to not hang with pals to discuss their social life. Others may run in packs but for nothing more than hanging out. 

Guys just bond. I once heard a comedian say if you have a group of ladies hanging out in a bar and a real hot woman walks in that the first whisper heard is "bitch". Yet if a group of guys are hanging in a bar and a real beefcake guy comes walking it they'll be like "yo, Magnum." If find that hysterically funny and so true. 

Not all men lash out when they are hurt. Some hide it or internalize it. And those moments are great emotional times for writing character thought etc. 

And for goodness sake give that hero of yours a flaw. It ads color and fun to a story. One of my cowboys hates snakes. Another doesn't like to be dirty and always wants a clean shirt. One drinks too much. Another holds grudges. 

Try not to stereotype men to the romance hero of your heart. Write them so readers fall in love with the character based on who they are. 

Men are doers. Not talkers. They don't read instructions or ask for directions. They do not like to wait...on anything. Most like to be in charge but that may be a stereotype. So let them think they are in charge. They are more visual than women. They do not ask for advice often and do not admit when they are wrong. They do not respond to commands from those they do not perceive as superior. And they don't mask their thoughts. They say what they think and mean what they say. Men offer solutions not small talk. So don't ask if you don't want to know. Small talk and men....not good writing. Men rarely show deep emotions except for anger. 

So write your men accordingly but give them the freedom to be human and have flaws.