This blog is for educational purposes (although I feel like I learn just as much from your comments). Dig into the male POV (point of view) for hero and supporting cast, for good guys, bad and inbetween. Find gems or alternate ways of writing male POV.
This blog has changed. I will be writing about what I fancy.
Ask a male author about your male character traits or thoughts.
Amazon links to my stories: The Chess Master, Cinnamon & Sugar, Autumn Breeze, A More Perfect Union, Double Happiness, The Wolves of Sherwood Forest, Neanderthals and the Garden of Eden can be found down the right side of the blog. Another site very useful in categorizing books in their proper order is:https://www.booksradar.com/richard-rw/richard.html
I was driving my 7 and 10-year-old grandsons home from
school and wondered what I could say that would get their attention even while
they were playing on tablets. I always ask them what one thing was the most memorable
or interesting that they did in school that day. Then, I told them about how
people don’t remember much when they’re twenty and trying to recall what
happened in school when they were kids. I related the story from my kindergarten
about the little girl who was standing in line, had to go, wasn’t allowed out
of the line and dribbled down her leg. I mentioned how little I remembered before
I was five and I offered a remedy for any memory they’d want to keep. Just like
in a dream, if you don’t repeat it back to yourself, the contents of the dream
will disappear.
Later that day the 10 year old stopped playing on the TV,
without warning reeled off the entire day’s activities at school and gave me a
hug. You think that didn’t get me? Just as I asked them to treasure life’s
experiences, it was my turn to repeat this story. I’ll never forget
it. and didn't need repeating.
Happy Thanksgiving.
ooooo
Generally, I put a YouTube video here, but I couldn’t
think of anything. Any ideas? I’ll place it here: [Your idea.]
Why do I use videos? So that you’ll remember my blog by
association (and be entertained), much like repeating a story to yourself from a dream or an
experience, you’ll have a multi-faceted remembrance.
About the male POV: well this story describes the way I think!
I never quote someone without checking.
I talked earlier today with this fellow author to get permission to publish his
email to me. I present the letter to you because I find it instructive. I
decided not to name the author not because he cared but because I want it to be
an everyman letter. Everyman being your readers and mine.
Hi Bob,
I keep missing you and forgetting to tell you. Again
this morning.
I had difficulty getting into the first 16 pages of
your Novel [A More Perfect Union],
something that is not unusual with me. On the third attempt, everything fitted.
I enjoyed the characters and the plot. You have introduced imagination and
original scenes that kept me engrossed.
I apologize for my delayed response, but I just have
that problem, remembering who, what and where at the start of each book; with
The Vacationers, by Straub, it took me three beginnings also.
Congratulations, a super job.
Best regards, Author X
Hi
X,
Thanks
for the note. It took me a while to assemble some thoughts on the matter of
rereading. I struggle the same way you do. Although we are separated by a
common language (X is from London), we get each other. I enjoy your stories and
I'm glad you enjoy mine as well. I think trying to get used to another author's
style is a struggle for me (and you) because we are at an age when we know what
we like or prefer, and don't much need to expand or change. I suppose flexing
our minds, trying new reads, being eclectic will forestall Alzheimer’s LOL. But
it certainly won't be boring.
Yesterday
I went to a writers’ conference. The speaker, Brenda Novak, a New York Times bestselling
author gave the first fifty who attended a copy of one of her 55 books. I have
haltingly made my way through the first chapter, reading during commercials of
a Hallmark movie. Even though I know she's crystal clear, I needed to get used
to her voice. It is a labor of love to pick up a new friend, make room in my
intellectual life for another voice, perhaps different than who I’d normally
read. I don't know yet how long it will take to finish her story. I am busy and
as you know a slow reader. I want to because she's acclaimed and oh yes, I like
her story (The Heart of Christmas).
We will do no less for each other, right? Even if we aren't on the NYT list,
just yet.
Bob
Brenda
has found ways to build her audience, making it personal, I suppose, opening
her heart to her readers. I sense and know she writes what she enjoys, not what
she thinks will impress.
“Tonight,
Tonight” from West Side Story (movie version, 1961)
presents a cacophony of POVs about what each person or group wants or fears the
most for one night in their little piece of New York City. Opening yourself up
to each voice during the movie is due to the masterstroke of great writers and
composers. Create your work with the same excitement.
EXTRA CREDIT
My
first writing coach once asked me if I was writing for an audience or myself. I
now know that to be a false choice. In the beginning, you only have yourself to
please. If you don’t write using brain and heart—well, who else will follow
you?
Brenda
also said she was an eclectic reader. Let’s all pick up something today we
would not normally read. Wade through it if you have to, but definitely, in the
end love what you read as much as the author loved writing it.
Years
ago I contracted with NBC for a screenplay and got the bug. Many years later I decided, as a
male romance writer, to differentiate myself by writing stories that were hopefully unique and of
interest to me. There’s a price. I have sent full
manuscripts on request to publishers and agents and they typically say, love your
voice, but the story won’t suit our readers.
Autumn Breeze (a romance) leads off in
the mind of a thirteen-year-old girl with the opening scene in New York City on 9/11. Sorry, maybe the thirteen-year-old POV, but no real disasters please.
In
Seven I write about a gal who has one
boyfriend for every day of the week. Perhaps I have six too many boyfriends,
even if I do kill them off. We’ll see on this one if I land an agent or
publisher.
I
won’t write any other way. I’m a guy, maybe stubborn. I'll read well written stories with tropes
but enjoy the less traveled path more. Perhaps this preference is similar to
literary versus genre argument.
"Am I Wrong", music and music video by Nico & Vinz, 2013 needs no explanation
EXTRA CREDIT: There’s
a great article in this month’s RWR (Romance Writers Report) called When She is a He by Janet Tronstad.
Janet wrote about the struggles and history (or in the beginning the lack) of
writing in the male point of view. I highly recommend it. I know no more about
the subject than you do! We’re all human beings and students of the human
heart. Hey, throw in a dog here and there. Regarding male POV, sometimes I write
about anomalies and sometimes it’s straight.
I chose to take the best of both covers and created this one.
I need your help. This fine story is not selling much. Any Goodread or Amazon honest plug you can do would be so appreciated.
Funny thing is. My first story (you know - before I learned how to write) Neanderthals and the Garden of Eden is still selling and has crossed the 5000 uunits sold mark.
A More Perfect Union, supposedly my best, has sold 10 units (so far).
For the first time, I have used Amazon's/KDP pre-order feature. It is forcing me to focus on final edits for Double Happiness rather than do a million other tasks. Ever been there?
I have recently published A More Perfect Union and my critique group critiqued the bleep out of one of these covers. Please let me know which one you like best and why. Anybody who comments will get a free copy or if you already have one, an initialed (by me) Italian Crystal rose. The Amazon link is: A More Perfect Union
Previously, I had written about movement of any kind,
including using expressions or body language as (much) more attractive than static
beauty. The same goes for love. It may be fine for some to carry a torch, love
from afar, have a crush, obsess. But it’s much too easy and comforting to the
one doing it. Perhaps because it gives the person a cause or something to think
about, and don’t we all at times (think and not do)? Dare ask this person to
change things. It takes far less energy to sit and stew than stand and brew.
A mature love (and plot) is all about give and take. No
energy into a relationship equals no relationship. This is one reason some long
time married couples drift apart. They’re far too comfortable, sometimes comfortable
in their misery.
Work at it.
Oops, male POV. Yes, yes, the theme of the blog. Okay, what’s
the difference between a man and a boy? A man accepts and revels in responsibility.
A boy hides behind his fears. I’m not saying a hero who is anywhere from nerd
or geek to stalker is not writable. He needs an arc which should include
internal and external change, a big arc.
Here's the trailer for the 1988 movie, Big, with Tom Hanks.
I have forgotten how this movie resolved the romantic conflict. Anybody?
