Rebloggable by request: Write People.

neil-gaiman:

Hi Mister Gaiman! I’m a young, 22 year old writer currently working on a novel that I intend to feature a strong, female lead; however, as a male, I often find myself out of my element. I was wondering if you had any suggestions—are there any books/authors you might recommend that you feel write strong females rather well? Preferably in the sci-fi and/or fantasy genres. Thanks!

–eglouis

I don’t know how to answer this, other than, go and talk to women. There are lots of books you can read with strong women characters but ten minutes talking to a woman will give you more than you’ll get from a hundred books, whether the books are written by men or by women.

Talk to them about what they like and don’t like about the way they are represented in fiction. Talk about hopes and dreams.  Ask any interesting but embarrassing questions you’ve ever wanted to ask but were too male or too shy or too sensible to ask. 

And then, when you’ve done all that, remember that the most important thing to do is to write people who feel like people, and that women are people.

(Also, find out what the Bechdel test is. It is your friend.)