The Ladies in my Life.

I was prompted to write this post by a comment I recently received.

In it, the person asked me how I could possibly justify writing female characters, as I was male. The tone made it seem almost as if they considered I was breaking some sort of unwritten rule.

As it happens, I really enjoy writing about all my character’s adventures and consider that each of them is as important as any other, irrespective of any physical characteristics or personality traits they might possess.

Or which gender they identify as.

For the ability to get inside a female mind, I have to thank the ladies in my life.

By that, I mean my wife and my three daughters. After all, I named my imprint, 4Star Scifi, after them.

Living with them all and watching them as time has passed, witnessing my daughter’s antics and behaviour as they grew into incredible women, has been the source of so much happiness in my life. These ladies have inspired and underpinned my female lead characters.

Characters like Andorra Pett or Kalyn Deere. Or Suzan Halford in my soon-to-be-released novel, I Remember Everything.

Then there are the supporting cast members, women such as Grace and Jessamine from my Steampunk novels.

Dave Travise’s love interest, the ill-fated Myra.

Fliss, Lydia and Hester, who are all women living on the planets Gallix and Fallop in my adventure The Hitman and the Thief.

Or Layla Balcom.

And, with the ones I haven’t written yet, I suspect that the list is endless.

When I think about it, I suppose I probably write more female than male characters.

This hasn’t been deliberate, it’s just the way it’s worked out. I seem to be able to channel the female mind at least as well as the male one.

Apart from the comment that prompted this post, I’ve had a few negative reactions, where I’ve been called out for various alleged offences against the sisterhood. However, the majority of my readers are supportive and enjoy reading about the exploits of the females I’ve written about.

I’m not seeking anyone’s approval.

Nor do I want to cause any offence. Although that seems easier to do these days.

I write what I enjoy writing, what I see in my head. If it involves men or women, it makes no difference to me. It’s their story that I concentrate on.

The fact is, I love writing about people. I especially enjoy it when my characters discover things about themselves, like how strong they are or that they can do what they never imagined they could.

As far as I’m concerned, however they see themselves, they all deserve equal billing.

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