Who's a better writer, men or women?

[Fee Verte]

"quality of character development" is related to the psychologocal motivation, no? Is there any particular female writer that you strongly dislike? Barbara Cartland? I would suggest that your observations are somewhat predjudiced (although I note you qualify these statements by reference to the thriller / horror genre) and some are certainly perjorative i.e "mumbo jumbo"

[StephenKingman]

"quality of character development" is related to the psychologocal motivation, no? Is there any particular female writer that you strongly dislike? Barbara Cartland? I would suggest that your observations are somewhat predjudiced (although I note you qualify these statements by reference to the thriller / horror genre) and some are certainly perjorative i.e "mumbo jumbo"

You are being a little over-analytical with regard the mumbo jumbo remark. I maintain that, of all the books in the thriller/horror genre that i have read, from Lynda la Plante to Stephen King, i have found that women are overtly emotional when it comes to describing key elements of a thriller like the aftermath of murder, revenge and family connections. All highly emotional issues yes but it takes great skill to describe this without descending into emotional overload and a loss of interest to the reader. La Plante and Sebold have, even though they are both talented authors, crossed this line several times in their novels.

And as i already explained, the quality of character development is something which needs to happen almost without you realising it; you need to connect with the character and support their wishes without ever feeling they are overly emotional or too talkative and should just get on with the job.

[Fee Verte]

nto emotional overload and a loss of interest to the reader.

One man's overload is another woman's character developement Perhaps you have a point with regard to this genre and mine is just a PC reaction.

[StephenKingman]

nto emotional overload and a loss of interest to the reader.

One man's overload is another woman's character developement Perhaps you have a point with regard to this genre and mine is just a PC reaction.

Hey there is no harm in having different opinions, thats what makes debate here so interesting. Who are your own favorite female and male authors and whats your view on which make the superior writer?

[Fee Verte]

I do not really have a favourite author / authoress. I read on the basis of reviews (from reputable reviewers). I must admit there is a class of historical biography that I do avoid for some of the reasons you touched on. However, women make world class biographers / historical researchers. Carmen Callil and Heather Pringle have written admirable studies on very shocking subjects: Louis Darquier de Pellepoix & Ahnenerbe respectively. Both studies have a curious and engaging quality, perhaps becasue they are written by women.

[OrloGina]

well who ever it is men or women they both should know what r they writing they should have those feelings in it that the reader can completely get attracted towards it..

[The Mythwriter]

I'm not sure if it's an issue of who's "Better" than someone else, but men do seem more inclined to write than women, on average. There are a lot more male authors on the shelves than female. In the past that's probably been due to sexism, (not that that stopped some) but even now it's not what I would call balanced.

I would say the reasons for that are that men aren't as open about their emotions and are therefore drawn to express them in more subtle and indirect ways, like through writing. Perhaps not as many women feel that need, as they're usually more able to express themselves openly and directly. (Which is... odd, considering the deliberately cryptic ways in which they interact directly men, but I refuse to go further into that mind maze)

[Kathe]

It all depends upon what you are looking for in a novel.
I don't choose books based upon the gender of the author.
I choose books based on whether they sound interesting to me.
I have read books by men that can be overwhelmingly emotional. I have read books by women that have completely lacked emotion.

This tells me it depends on the individual, and not the gender.

[OrloGina]

amazingly said kathe, it doesn't matters who wrote it but it really matters how it is written..

[soniakhan33]

I think W.W Jacob is nice author.......

[OrloGina]

well all the authors are nice its just that how we the people unterstand its quotes..

[Fran]

I'm not sure if it's an issue of who's "Better" than someone else, but men do seem more inclined to write than women, on average. There are a lot more male authors on the shelves than female. In the past that's probably been due to sexism, (not that that stopped some) but even now it's not what I would call balanced.

Your post reminds me of a quote from Virginia Woolf "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction"

[OrloGina]

well every author has their own feelings and we should understand it while reading there books or a story..

[Alex.uyi]

Written is a talent and it those not matter if you are a male or female, believe me some male author are not as good as some female when it come's to some catagory in book written....... So we should not buy or read books because of the gender of the author.........
When a book is good it has nothing to do with the gender is just the talent of the writer.

[Amelia]

Hmmm.... How long is a piece of string?

I think that gender is reflected in writing style (not always though- who would have thought the author of The Notebook was a man, or, as somebody else said Frankenstein by a woman), but no more so than any other aspects of a persons context, like nationality or social background.

I think saying a man or a woman is a better writer is similar to saying Queenslanders are better writers than Victorians (Australian states for all you non-Aussies). It might impact the style, but not the quality.