FOR WRITERS
Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer NAME:
Right now there seems to be a blanket application of “Alpha” and other associated Greek-soup characters toward men in writing. However, in historic and, for me, black fiction, class has a distinct impression on how masculinity is defined, expressed and navigated.
Is it important to you to convey the range of masculinity outside of the expected packaging for the genre you’re writing in, or is the packaging more important. Clothing, is one area where this sticks out a lot.
Masculinity? Danyell and Dayell never heard of it, until they got neighbors. They keep bringing the subject up, but it doesn’t make much sense to the twins. Danyell was already confused by the whole concept of facial hair, which he doesn’t have. Neither do his brothers. He has seen pictures of it in books, though. :)
I’d really love more info on this perspective, because I think sci-fi does tend toward specific types, and as I haven’t read a wide array of fiction, it’s interesting to consider how masculinity is presented.
I’d like more examples other than just clothing. How do these ‘class’ elements enrich other genres and what other elements from other genre would do the same? What does sci-fi tend to use to define ‘alpha’ masculinity- just behavior or the label?
I’m very curious to discuss more!