Male vs Female – who’s your hero?

I am very much a woman, if the picture on my website doesn’t give it away.  And the boobs.  But I digress….  I am a woman but I write majority male characters.  I have 3 main female characters, but at least a dozen other male povs can come into play.  I had someone comment once that they had to double check what gender I was when reading Blood Memory: Book 1, which I thought was very flattering, because I have zero experience as a male.  This isn’t really my main point, though.

 

When I choose a book to read, I try not to judge the cover, but the synopsis, that 2-3 sentence blurb that’s suppose to grab the reader, will make an impact on me if the main character is male or female.  I lean more toward male heroes, rather than my own gender.

 

Kind of sexist, huh?

 

Maybe it’s because some men really have no idea how a woman thinks? Example: Slither by Edward Lee.  I tried reading this book after seeing it EVERYWHERE back in 2006 when it released.  Every time I walked into a book store, there it was on the end cap being featured.  I’m a huge science fiction fan, so I finally broke down and bought it. Sadly, an incredible storyline of violating, DNA scrambling worms was reduced to the female heroine being preoccupied with another female’s physical (and superior) appearance.  Really? The main character was being catty because the other scientist had nice legs?

 

Women think like this, I won’t lie, but I really do think Mr. Lee had no clue HOW a woman thinks.  Nor did he realize that…no one gives a shit.

 

Viv gave her a strange look, a little surprised at the familiarity, and it made Caitlinn clear her throat embarrassed.

 

“That’s one way to put it. He’s uh…” Viv struggled for the right adjective when Caitlinn offered up her own.

 

“Your mate, right? That means something with your kind. Deeper than wife or girlfriend?”

 

Viv nodded, “Definitely deeper. Very territorial, especially with Brig and his position.”

 

Caitlinn glanced at Viv as she explained, then turned away again. After a moment she chuckled, asking, “Why do I get this ex-girlfriend vibe from you, then?”

 

She was surprised at how blunt Caitlinn was, and how accurate. Viv had considered scoffing at the question, then acquiesced. The least she could be was honest.

 

“Because if it hadn’t been for Brig, it would have been Charlie.”

 

Caitlinn’s disposition immediately changed and Viv caught her scent changing. Wasn’t something she wanted to come right out and say, to anyone, but Caitlinn had asked.

 

“Even now, when he doesn’t love you in the least?”

 

Viv felt the tension building between the two of them and she tried to diffuse it. “I had kind of hoped we could become friends, Caitlinn.”

 

Caitlinn turned to face Viv fully now, her posture tense and angry. “Not when you come at me with a statement like that, and you didn’t answer my question.”

 

“I don’t, I’m not in love with Charlie. It is Brig or nothing for me now – through circumstances I couldn’t control, even if I tried.”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“Charlie, no one’s told you about bound scents?”

 

Caitlinn shook her head.

 

“Our scents are drawn to one another, we’re soul mates. There could never be another, even if I wanted there to be. Not even Charlie.”

 

“So we’re having this conversation to what…clear the air?”

 

“Well I didn’t think we’d be having this conversation so soon, to be very honest.”

 

Caitlinn nodded slowly and turned away toward the treeline again. Viv felt dismissed at that moment, making the wolf in her burn. Although, could she really blame Caitlinn for feeling threatened?

 

“You love him, right?” Viv asked.

 

Caitlinn sighed and slipped her hands into the pockets of her hoodie. “To my genuine surprise, yes, I do. I barely know him but,” Caitlinn shrugged again, a small smile tugging at her lips.

 

“I’m not after Charlie, Caitlinn.”

 

Without looking at her, Caitlinn said with a short laugh, “Do you really think I’d let you have him, even if you were?” The woman turned and locked eyes with Viv, making the threat, and promise, clear from the get-go.

 

Viv grinned as she shook her head. “No, I don’t believe you would, Caitlinn.”

 

“Just so we’re clear, you know, ‘tween us girls.”

 

“There aren’t many of us around the Pipers, so yes, it’s clear. Us brown girls gotta stick together.”

 

Caitlinn’s hard demeanor cracked as she raised her fist up to Viv with a smile.

 

Or maybe that’s how us brown girls handle situations like that. In any case, if the female character’s voice is in any way, shape or form, delicate or self-doubting, I’m not interested. Then you have the flip side where the female is overtly strong, thus being painted as a bitch. Female main characters just can’t catch a break, which is probably why I prefer male characters.  Men seem to think in a more linear point of view. My Pipers range from stoic to comically animated, with similar attributes in their ability to act as a cohesive, single unity that appeals to me as a writer and an avid reader.  I enjoy that pack mentality, territorial and unifying.  Whereas my female characters all stand alone, depending on themselves, but not being so singularly overpowered to the point of ridiculousness.

 

Which voice do you prefer?  Is there a type of hero or heroine you’re drawn to when selecting a book?  I’m interested to know, so feel free to comment.

 

Rosalind Hartmann twitter and facebook