ADVERTISEMENT

Writing a captivating piece takes way more than putting pen to paper. The author spends countless hours developing the plot, writing and rewriting it, crossing out hundreds of unnecessary lines, and doing the research—lots and lots of it. Some writers could work more on the two, wiping out some of the information or researching it better. Otherwise, they might end up being shamed for some of their inaccurate, unrealistic, or plain foolish lines. As these male writers depicting female characters did.

The subreddit “Men Writing Women” is dedicated, as the description suggests, to “how men who create films, books, TV, and graphic novels characterize women”. Members of the community clearly don’t shy away from sharing their finds, and we have gathered some of their best examples into this list today. If you feel like it’s too short, check out our previous pieces about “Men Writing Women” here and here.

#1

Who Doesn't Love To Bleed And Writhe In Pain Once A Month?

Who Doesn't Love To Bleed And Writhe In Pain Once A Month?

Haebak Report

Add photo comments
POST
Firstname Lastname
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anything, I look forward to celebrating that I'm not pregnant, and then hate the other 99% of it.

View more commentsArrow down menu
RELATED:
    #2

    Jane Goodall Should Just Go Ape S*it

    Jane Goodall Should Just Go Ape S*it

    Faenix_Wright Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can show you something motherly and nurturing *starts regurgitating what was food once*

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #3

    “Let Them Puppies Free!”

    “Let Them Puppies Free!”

    ThorinSmokenshield Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    as a woman, me writing: "These stupid irritating blobs on my chest that swell every 28 days, hurt for 3-5, mean I need two whole different sets of bras, that do nothing all day..."

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    A Jack of all trades is a master of none, they say. That rings true, as there’s hardly a person who knows the ins and outs of every subject out there. And writers are no exception; no matter how well-read they are, writing about specific topics usually requires specific knowledge, which they might not have.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Similarly, writing about certain groups of people calls for knowing what they might be like. Or the basics of their anatomy, at least, if that’s what’s important for the story. Otherwise, you might end up sounding ludicrous to those who have a better understanding of the topic, not to mention the experts.

    #4

    [clans Of The Alphane Moon By Philip K. Dick] How To Assert Your Dominance Over Other Women: Scare Their Nipples Off

    [clans Of The Alphane Moon By Philip K. Dick] How To Assert Your Dominance Over Other Women: Scare Their Nipples Off

    snugglyaggron Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Groundcontroltomajortom
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is so much wrong with this I can't even begin to.... but deburgeoned....I.... what??? You're certainly not Shakespeare mate, you can't just put a "de" in front of something to make a new word.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #5

    What Else Could A Woman Want After Coming Out Of A Coma? Beyond The Darkness (1979)

    What Else Could A Woman Want After Coming Out Of A Coma? Beyond The Darkness (1979)

    FreudsteinLives Report

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Grammar Factory suggested a rule of thumb for doing enough research for your writing. According to them, you should analyze it enough to be able to write your first draft with no holes, without it becoming a reason to put off the writing process itself.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    In his book, ‘On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft’, Steven King pointed out that even though the research shouldn’t outshine the story itself (well, unless it’s a research paper you’re working on), it’s crucial for fixing any possible errors in the story and adding some credible details.

    #6

    Scientology, A New Slant On Life - By L. Ron Hubbard (1965)

    Scientology, A New Slant On Life - By L. Ron Hubbard (1965)

    friends-waffles-work Report

    #7

    Til That I, A Virgin, Have At Least One Kid. (Once Gone, By Blake Pierce)

    Til That I, A Virgin, Have At Least One Kid. (Once Gone, By Blake Pierce)

    schrodingers_cat42 Report

    #8

    I’d Like To Imagine This Was Done For The Male Characters As Well

    I’d Like To Imagine This Was Done For The Male Characters As Well

    Lwannagothere Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    starsailor (they/he)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Annabelle...brown eyes, E cup... Lauren...blue eyes, S cup... Katherine... hazel eyes, Z cup-OKAY WHY IS THIS GUY SO F*****G HORNY"

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    In order to avoid sounding foolish, you can always turn for help to experts or outside sources that are brimming with factual information. Grammar Factory emphasized just that by suggesting using books, the internet, or expert interviews as ways of researching information for your book.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    In Death, I Hope All My Friends Remember Me For My Great Rack [1q84, Haruki Murakami]

    In Death, I Hope All My Friends Remember Me For My Great Rack [1q84, Haruki Murakami]

    mustardleaves Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    TheElderNom
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My friend did die, I'm ashamed to admit I never mourned the loss of her breasts. But seriously what kind of garbage is this?

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #10

    I’m Surprised No One Has Posted This Guy Yet?? From Jpod By Douglas Coupland

    I’m Surprised No One Has Posted This Guy Yet?? From Jpod By Douglas Coupland

    Picklebaby626 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Rider
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I prefer my a*s kicking boots on my non makeup days, so every day.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Unless it’s total fiction you’re writing about, fact-checking is important. Certain claims made by authors can raise disputes, or have consequences bigger than being cited in a certain subreddit. The author Lisa Bickmore pointed out that when a writer wants to use factual material, it’s also crucial they find good, quality information. Not only that, it’s vital to present it in a way that’s understandable to the reader.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    Women Have Useless Faces (A Happy Death By Camus)

    Women Have Useless Faces (A Happy Death By Camus)

    2460_one Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    (Tw: Physical Violence) [nana By Zola] Zola's Nana, Or How To Stop Worrying And Learn To Love Physical Abuse

    (Tw: Physical Violence) [nana By Zola] Zola's Nana, Or How To Stop Worrying And Learn To Love Physical Abuse

    Adloud Report

    #14

    The Amount Misogyny In This One Was A Bit Shocking. The Lake Of The Dead By André Bjerke

    The Amount Misogyny In This One Was A Bit Shocking. The Lake Of The Dead By André Bjerke

    crucified_cat Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Misogynists are in fact more popular among the weaker sex. Women, on the other hand, don't care for them at all.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Despite being important to the integrity of the piece, facts can be too much for some readers. Unless it’s a manual—in which case, you know what you’re getting yourself into as a reader—having to deal with an abundance of detailed information can get tiresome or even boring for the regular bookworm.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #15

    Hell's Angels By Hunter S Thompson. Men In The 1960s Just Understood Women, You Know?

    Hell's Angels By Hunter S Thompson. Men In The 1960s Just Understood Women, You Know?

    jbeldham Report

    #16

    There Are Many Different Types Of Arm Folds, I'm Glad Robert Cleared That Up For Me

    There Are Many Different Types Of Arm Folds, I'm Glad Robert Cleared That Up For Me

    SwaggyP997 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    XenoMurph
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After a certain age, that might not be possible without a hoist. Oh c**p, did I type that out loud?

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #17

    Liana Finck, Women In Literature, 2022

    Liana Finck, Women In Literature, 2022

    beroemd Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Imagine a woman writing a story were male characters are minor characters only, whose pert testicles can be seen through their filmy underwear

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    In order to prevent the prospect of tiring out the reader, writers often turn to a more detailed, exciting way of writing. That in itself is not a bad idea at all; however, it’s important not to go overboard with such embellishments.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Some of the examples on this list, for instance, describe certain characters in a detailed way, which is simply incorrect. That’s when facts can turn against the writer, and make them the butt of the joke at times.

    #18

    Ah Yes, The Kind Of Giggles That Spill From Your Breasts. Of Course The Girl Is “Just Turned 16” As Well. (Hospital By Han Song)

    Ah Yes, The Kind Of Giggles That Spill From Your Breasts. Of Course The Girl Is “Just Turned 16” As Well. (Hospital By Han Song)

    Doing_Ok_Tomorrow Report

    #19

    That Natural Womanly Instinct To Love Cooking (Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? By Philip K Dick)

    That Natural Womanly Instinct To Love Cooking (Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? By Philip K Dick)

    cacti-pie Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    DustTea
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Um. I can’t cook to save my life. I THOUGHT i was a woman?

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #20

    "But Whatever" (The Night Shift, Alex Finlay)

    "But Whatever" (The Night Shift, Alex Finlay)

    absolute_boy Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda

    Other examples in the “Men Write Women” collection portray women in a way that is not factually correct, nor amusing. They are often based on stereotypes, which can be offensive to some female representatives, or emphasize certain “truths” that not a lot of them would agree to, such as the “magnificent uselessness of a woman’s face”, for instance.

    #21

    Lake Of The Dead By André Bjerke

    Lake Of The Dead By André Bjerke

    BreadstickBitch9868 Report

    #22

    Lots To Unpack Here [the Road Back By Erich Maria Remarque]

    Lots To Unpack Here [the Road Back By Erich Maria Remarque]

    LegerDomain Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, misogyny and bodyshaming all in one! And something about children being pathetic as well

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #23

    I’m Sorry, What?!? The Body Keeps The Score By Bessel Van Der Kolk

    I’m Sorry, What?!? The Body Keeps The Score By Bessel Van Der Kolk

    Glum-Lavishness-4485 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda

    Certain views towards women in these snippets are not only displeasing but outdated as well. They often sound like something from the 19th century—the time when gender bias was so strong, some women authors chose to write under male pseudonyms. (George Eliot, who was actually Mary Ann Evans, or George Sand, a.k.a. Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, just to name a couple.)

    #24

    Breast Roll By "It's Kind Of A Funny Story" By Ned Vizzini

    Breast Roll By "It's Kind Of A Funny Story" By Ned Vizzini

    maramara18 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #25

    Nod By Adrian Barnes

    Nod By Adrian Barnes

    aliensleftmehere Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    "A Fine Porch Door"... From The Stand By Stephen King

    "A Fine Porch Door"... From The Stand By Stephen King

    guitarguy12341 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lily Robertson
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Post Apocalyptic theme...old "God fearing woman" is definitely going to be assessing baby making potential in young women. I give this one a pass.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    I Feel Christopher Pike’s Spellbound Could Fit

    I Feel Christopher Pike’s Spellbound Could Fit

    ravioliriveroli Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Abrufal
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another out of context blurb. Cindy is one of two main characters in the novel. This blurb was taken from a longer section were Cindy is flirting with a guy she thinks murdered his friend to get info. Pike is actually praised for his accurate portrayal of teenagers and writing female characters (he was a YA author from the mid 80s)

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #28

    Coast To Coast Murders, James Patterson

    Coast To Coast Murders, James Patterson

    arrow1500 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    The Immortalists By Chloe Benjamin. A Genuinely Good Book With The Worst First Paragraph!

    The Immortalists By Chloe Benjamin. A Genuinely Good Book With The Worst First Paragraph!

    womanadrift Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    bread lord
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    first paragraph is describing a 13 y/o's naked body. Red flag for sure

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Go Home Everyone About To Post Stephen King. Alizee Yeezy Has Trumped All Of You

    Go Home Everyone About To Post Stephen King. Alizee Yeezy Has Trumped All Of You

    PrincessTutubella Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lakota Wolf
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m sorry, he’s horrible simply because he MENTIONS boobs? I’m female and I’ve read every one of his books and I’ve never felt offended or that he’s sexist.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Note: this post originally had 126 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.