[GUEST POST] Basics of Male POV This guest post is provided by Sascha Illyvich. You can visit Sascha at literalseduction.net and radiodentata.com

In this brief article I’ll be giving you a few tips on creating characters and writing from the Male POV. These tips are pulled straight from my workshop: Writing from the Male POV and Creating Better Heroes.

Most of character creation is just voice. Once we figure out back story, physical attributes and the like, we have a basic character with which to work with. That’s generally the easy part but when it comes to voice, women seem to do well once stories hit publication but during that four to six weeks (or longer) it takes to create the first draft, many writers struggle with opposite sex gender writing.

The problem is, that it’s not as easy as observing the other sex. There is a reason for the way humans of both genders behave. But nobody bothers to ask questions, and if they do, I feel they ask the wrong ones.

We deal with archetypes, whether we realize it or not. Those archetypes are what they are for a reason but unless we’ve taken the time to understand the ones we use the most, then we will struggle with writing in the opposite POV.

In my class, I teach basics such as Emotional Response, Feelings and explanations relating to the previously mentioned things.

The key here to remember is that a person’s behavior is based on the tape in their head, i.e. the belief system they hold onto that was formed in early childhood. Why? Why does he frown, dress casually, wear his hair the way he does?

Probably because he’s a man and that’s the way he likes it. Our first encounter with him may take form in any setting, but one thing should be clear from the start. Don’t mess with me! This applies if your hero is ultra Alpha or even Beta with strong Alpha tendencies. Variations occur.

The tougher question we have is why is his behavior justified by a standard he holds that he no longer needed? In short, what is the why behind his way of being?

A-Ha! Now we’ve hit a key phrase! His method of being is no longer a necessity for survival. This leads us to asking what archetype is he?

For a well-balanced and believable pair, he’s got to respond to the same scenarios in a manner that compliments hers. Even in weakness there are strengths. He cannot react. Why? There is a difference in definition according to professional speaker and the Worlds Greatest Salesman, Zig Ziglar. When you respond to an event, that is a positive. When you react, that is a negative.

Our stories are about balance and acceptance of our sensuality. They’re about (in many cases) a happily ever after. Our goal is often to get a hero and heroine together (or more-some) that distracts the reader from the stresses of daily life that we mentioned earlier.

For those interested in my course, it’s a week long course that details the things we’ve covered here in more detail. I also go into detail on the gay male mindset! You can always email me at thesilverwolfprince@gmail.com and ask to be put on the list for my next course. The fee is inexpensive and is educational, so it’s a tax write off!

I hope this has helped you somewhat in your journey crafting the perfect hero that readers want to die for!  ¶ posted at 9:47 PM by Emily Veinglory