One of the things that I hear most about the novels is how people enjoy the different perspective that each book has. Some have commented on the fact that it is as thought different people were writing each book. In a sense, this is what is happening.
I believe in allowing the characters of each installment to develop naturally. While it is often difficult for me to initially ‘get into’ a character, once I do, they usually begin to write their own story. In two of the books, so far, I have had to be either a teenage or young girl. This isn’t easy for someone that has been neither. And if anyone is wondering, no, I don’t ‘get in touch with my feminine side’ while writing those characters.
The primary difference between writing as a male and writing as a female is the viciousness. I once heard a or read a statement to the effect of, “If you are ever captured by the enemy, don’t let them give you to the women.” While men may be the instigators of violence, my experience is that women are far more primal once it has begun. This would seem to be at odds with the concept of women as ‘caretakers,' but it is not.
I think that too many people have mistaken the word ‘caretaker’ for ‘pacifist.’ They are not the same. Any creature will fight to defend its own, and nothing in the world is more aggressive than the female of the species fighting for their young. This often translates to ‘adopted young’ as well, ask any decent teacher.
While the roles and thoughts of this may be changing for many, the misconception about the roles of men and women may stem from the reason for marriage. I do and will always believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman, anything else is merely a civil union. There is a definite reason for this. Marriage, as an institution has only one real purpose, to procreate and protect the young until they are able to care for themselves.
I can hear the screaming from both sides of the aisle already. I am not saying that love doesn’t enter into it. I am saying that it isn’t the reason for the institution called marriage. If it were about love, there wouldn’t have been (and still are), so many arranged marriages. Let’s follow the logic for just a moment.
What is the purpose of an arranged marriage? One very obvious reason was (is?) to join the fortunes of two families. Buy why? Again, the obvious answer is, to ensure that the wealth and power that goes with it is passed on to future generations, in effect, caring for the young.
I’m not saying people don’t and shouldn’t marry for love. I am just pointing out what most of our history has been and the reasons for it. Today, in most places, if you mention arranged marriages you will get (at the very least), some odd glances.
It’s all about perspective. From a historical one, marriage wasn’t something that was typically left to chance.
When I try to write as a female, I try to start out with some kind of historical precedent. How would and are girls treated and how is it different than boys? Why?
While there are many who would love to deny it, there are biological imperatives that drive the different sexes. Over 90% of the world is still female/male pairings, and there is a good reason for that. It is built into our DNA.
So, where is God in all of this? I think that anyone that has read the Old Testament knows precisely where God stands. His perspective is simple. It is really the first commandment given long before the ten He gave Moses, “Go forth and multiply.”
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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