and
and
are some of the most fascinating to me, especially when compared to characters like
Ok, so maybe I just prefer the men to the boys, but I've been thinking about it and I think I've found a couple reasons why I tend to write about middle-aged men.
First, I adore and appreciate their loneliness and weathered feel, and those moments when you see that the rugged man is still a scared little boy inside. Their struggles and desires have more meaning, maturity and extent.
I also like that in many of their stories they need to be "saved" in some way, often by a woman, and I like the way being needed by a big strong man makes those women feel about themselves, how it makes them stronger in a lot of ways, at least in my head. Now that I'm trying to explain it sounds kind of weird, but I hope it makes sense.
What do you guys think? Are there certain character types you find yourself drawn to most often? How do you work out and around writing main characters who are a different gender or age then yourself?
Sarah Allen
19 comments:
Its all about writing what you know. I think I have a pretty good handle since I have known most types. Age has its advantages.BTW I love Viggo Mortensen :)
How about Max from "Rebecca"?
And Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird"? Yummy :)
It makes perfect sense and I could not agree more! Maybe because I am no longer a girl I appreciate the prospect of a man vs a boy more. Great post.
guys in their early twenties, women in their late thirties (I love the cool mom characters)
your perspective is interesting and I like the idea of big boy outside, little boy inside.
I love young male characters (but not teenage boys) who are strong, but have big burdens and who sometimes need to be loved like a small boy ^^ (see, same opinion ;) )
Main characters who have plenty of life experience are always the best ones.
Write now I'm working on the creep factor. Smoothing out the many creeps my character Lila's life is twisted in. They all seem to believe that they love her but haven't got a clue what love is. Her true love lies in a coma but body hops to a middle-aged truck driver so he can communicate with and hold her. Weird, I know.
I so agree with you, and you've picked good examples :-)
At my age I am nearly always writing about men (and ladies) younger than myself. My sons are middle aged, my daughter's age is a secret like her mother's.
What I want to know is where my middle age went.
haha. LOVE it! :)
Absolutely, weather beaten and they seem more interesting. Boy's don't have the experience to draw me into anything really.
I write both YA and adult contemporary. When I write adult, I usually write men and women in their 20s or early 30s. Though I can definitely see story and character possibilities with middle-aged men and their mid-life crises.
Great comments guys :) I thought I was going to weird people out with this post, but looks like at least a few people understand what I mean.
@Lauracea, Max and Atticus, absolutely :) Exactly the kinds of guys I was talking about. Rochester, Darcy...beautiful!
Feel free to laugh at me if you like, but who's the man in that second picture? He looks like someone (a Rupert) I've met through Ba.D.
As for characters I'm drawn to, I love prickly, bright, fierce teenaged girls. Three guesses as to why that might be!
That being said? There's definitely a certain appeal to vulnerable aspects of strong men, no matter their age!
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Middle aged-older men have ruled the world for a long time..still, I am drawn to stories that showcase the vulnerability of human beings, whether they are old men or young girls. I love Holden Caulfield and I love Celie Harris..if the story is compeling and human, then it's a good read. And what about Dorian Gray?! My fave! Younger than springtime on the outside, and ancient and twisted on the inside! btw..I love Rupert from Survivor!
I love older men (hypothetically, since I'm married).
I especially dig a middle-aged man with lots of thick grey hair. So handsome and distinguished in my mind.
I don't think it sounds weird! I totally agree. Sometimes the coming-of-age stories are good, and I personally feel more comfortable writing characters my age or younger, but there's definitely something appealing about the middle-aged male characters. Lord Vetinari and Sam Vimes of Terry Pratchett's Discworld? And let's not forget Severus Snape! Definitely a large part of the appeal is that they're weathered and worn and certainly more interesting characters with a lot of depth.
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