Thread by @Joannechocolat

It's a long train journey, so let's do this one, too. Follow #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/anthoop/status/1049608600224747521

1. This one is for the many men who have asked my advice on this. First, kudos for asking. Second, the fact that you needed to ask at all may be the root of your problem. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

2. Look at the way you interact with women in real life. If you're problematic, sexist or prejudiced in life, then you don't have much of a chance of avoiding it in your fiction. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

3. And don't get all indignant. Everyone has *some* prejudices. The first step is acknowledging them, identifying them, then working to correct them. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

4. Read books by women. Listen to women talking about their experiences. The more you listen, the more you'll learn. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

5. Look at your female characters. What are their roles? If the answer is "eye candy", "love interest" or "to serve the male protagonist'", start again. You can do better. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

6. Apply the Bechdel Test. Does your book have scenes in which women talk to each other, about something *other* than a male character? If not, you haven't created a convincing woman character. Try harder. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

7. Do your women characters reflect your own sexual preferences? If they do, beware. Wanking onto the page isn't a good look for anyone. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

8. If you're finding it hard to avoid cliches, try writing your woman character as male in the first instance, then flipping the gender later. You may be surprised at the result. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

9. If you find yourself using the word "typical", stop. Your female characters need to have: a past, dreams, a job, parents, hopes, flaws, relationships -basically everything that makes a character into a person. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

10. There's no shame in admitting you find writing women a challenge. Get yourself a woman beta reader. And don't argue with her. LISTEN to her. She knows more about being a woman than you do. I promise. #TenWaysForMenToWriteAboutWomen

Lastly, NOT ALL WOMEN ARE THE SAME. They have exactly the same range of personality types, ability, courage, weakness, sexual preference, age, class, race, culture, opinion, intelligence and potential as men. Use it.