There are many traditions in writing high fantasy and science fiction, and not all of them are good for the genres. Men, or boys learning to become men, have traditionally been the focus of our stories. Female characters have traditionally been damsels or chaste magic-users. Published writers of fantasy and science fiction have traditionally been men. Much of that is changing. Female writers are catching up and no longer need to submit manuscripts with their initials rather than a first name. More and more main characters are women. Write a helpless, uncertain damsel and even if she helps beat up a few goblins, you’ll get called on the cliché.

However, we still tend to cling to heroes. And they often remain mired in stereotypes and clichés. The fact that women who write fantasy and science fiction—the same ones who would point out that your sorceress can help herself—are doing it too is troublesome.

How many times, my fellow authoresses, have you created a male character only to turn around and thrust it under another author’s nose and ask, “Is he masculine enough? Is he too girly? Can you tell a woman wrote him?” How many of you men have been asked to critique based on your gender? Just as when you create female characters, there is no formula for making “good” men and there are a lot of pitfalls to avoid.

So repeat after me: Yes, I’m a woman. Yes, I write men. I can create believable characters, and they deserve to be cliché-free and have their own character arcs.

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus…

Traditionally, heroes overpower by sheer strength, will, goodness of heart, and very occasionally intellect. They tend to fight with honor, usually hand-to-hand. In science fiction, they are officers and fighter pilots, scientist-adventurers and metaphorical Davids standing against Goliaths of armies, governments, and corporations. Villains (as opposed to villainesses) are power hungry tyrants, who use the same skills as the hero but in the opposite direction. On the other hand, heroines fight from a distance, usually with magic or a bow and arrow. In science fiction, they are put in scientific fields—anthropologists, doctors, psychologists. They may be officers as well, but always wise, matriarchal figures, and seldom warlike. Villainesses use magic, deception, and the ever-popular seduction—like the heroines, they are creatures of mental power.

In reality, while it is easy to start arguments on how men and women do or do not differ, most of us can agree that any given man and woman will function in variable but similar ways. While you may feel it’s more common for women to be emotional, remember the last time you heard a couple of guys start a shouting match. While you may believe women are more naturally suited to nurture, consider all the single and stay-at-home dads who do just fine.

Much like “wizard,” “elf,” “vampire,” or “advanced alien race,” “man” does not define a character. Look around you: what man that you observe acts exactly as “men” are purported to do? Much the same as you shouldn’t go in with preconceived notions about how a wizard acts, speaks, or moves, you shouldn’t be carrying preconceived notions about what men think, what they care about, or how they solve problems.

You can still use the clichés and stereotypes if you understand that they aren’t given result. Just as you would never make your female lead show her anger by starting a sissy fight without an eye to developing her character, you shouldn’t make your male spar with his friend or even enemy without having a reason. There are many ways of relieving tensions or solving problems—why would your character choose that one?

“Deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart”
There are many admirable qualities men can have, and not every one of them needs to come from his physical prowess. You wouldn’t say women can only be known for their beauty? Why would your men be known only for their muscles and swordsmanship?

Perhaps it’s easier to write characters that don’t have moral conflicts about hurting people, who don’t think past good vs. evil, and who don’t have to come up with clever ways around conflicts. It isn’t more interesting. It isn’t even more believable. Intelligence and cleverness are widely praised in many cultures. Forceful and charismatic personalities have done more than strong or clever men throughout history. Why would people follow or believe in your hero?

Once again, my advice is to consider carefully not only your character himself, but the culture he comes out of. Both will affect his choices and judgments. While many cultures will praise a man for his strength or skill in battle, few will say this is all or even the best a man can do. Think of Odysseus. Think of Gilgamesh. Think of _______. All heroes. All with their own epics. All thinkers and schemers in addition to being mighty warriors.

“You make me want to be a better man”

Ah, love! The favorite of the subplots and while not entirely necessary, a romantic entanglement does up the tension in the down time between clashes with the enemy. Whether she be gypsy princess or girl-next-door, the imminent probability of romance and all its benefits will have your hero acting differently.

Here is another place where observation is key. On TV and in movies, when a man falls in love, he most likely becomes aloof yet entirely devoted, despite whatever else is going on. He may change and alienate his former friends. Look at men you know. Is this the case? I know I’ve never seen it. Newly-in love guys I know chatter almost incessantly about their darlings, call every chance they get. At the same time, they are acutely aware of the stereotype that their honey will make them pull a Mr. Hyde level personality shift, and try and make an effort to be around their friends. Even if all they talk about is Sweetie Pie.

There are a hundred ways to react to a situation. Look around you and find some more. Find the one which best suits your hero.

Another note: sex. The stereotype exists that all guys think about is sex, and if a guy is Good, he will not act on the thoughts. If a guy is Bad, he will rampantly seduce every woman who comes into his range of vision, whether she likes it or not. I think we’re all grown-up enough to know this is bunk. There are a lot of points between serial rapist and monk, and just as not all women are obsessed with marriage and monogamy, not all men are obsessed with casual sex.

Remember, men are characters too. They deserve the same carefully-planned character arcs and plot twists as everyone else. If you’re going to cross gender-lines and try to get inside a man’s head for the duration of your story, just don’t pick a stereotype.