ADVERTISEMENT

Making a character in a book seem realistic and interesting is no easy task. It’s not down to just your skills as a writer, though. You actually have to know a bit about who you’re writing about. In other words—do your research. Unfortunately, some male writers out there seem to have major problems writing female characters and seem shy about asking their female friends for advice.

The ‘Men Write Women’ page on X (former Twitter) documents these scary and cringe-worthy examples of men writing about women without having any idea about them or their anatomy. The project was started back in 2019 when Meghan Vondriska launched her version of the ‘Men Writing Women’ Reddit community. Now, the ‘Men Write Women’ X page has over 69k followers, and there are over 2k fans who follow their Instagram page.

“Women just want to be written as human. That’s it. There isn't some wild scientific equation to writing women, and it isn't difficult. Write them as human, with complex feelings, not as body parts that happen to be put together into a feminine form,” Vondriska told Bored Panda.

Let’s take a look at these examples of how men write women and see what Vondriska has to say about this annoying depiction.

More info: MegVondriska.com

#1

This Is The Best One Yet

Book page with a paragraph describing woman trying to pee

ewillard42 Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow. so many weird misogynistic stereotypes here. Does this person also believe our wombs detach, fly about our bodies and make us crazy once a month?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

We Don’t Get Real Pockets In Pants Because We Have Tiny Purses In Our Vaginas!!! (Stuart Woods, Desperate Measures)

Book page with a paragraph describing woman purse

menwritewomen Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is horrifying. Has this man ever seen a vagina? I could not imagine jamming credit cards up it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

"3 And A Half Milliboobs Per Handful"

Book page with a paragraph describing breast measurement

Christimay , www.reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
dariazotova avatar
Daria Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The picture on the right is quite accurate and can apply to this whole post 😳

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

What Does it Mean When a Woman is Written by a Man?

At times, male authors depict female characters as sexualized, unrealistic beings who are mere accessories that meet the desires of these authors. Men portraying women in this manner is called the male gaze. The male gaze or a woman written by a man tends to focus on the body rather than the character itself. When women are objectified without giving them a voice in the story, it’s typically said that the woman is written by a man.

#4

Yes, Men Would Be Amaaazing At Handling Pregnancy - Evolution Really Screwed This One Up. Bonus Points For “No Woman Gets Raped Unless She’s Looking For It.”

Book page with a paragraph describing pregnancy

cheribella Report

Add photo comments
POST
raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oo. This writer does not like the look of pregnant women, so has decided that women must hate it - you know, because he hates it and they surely all want to appeal to him because he's so awesome.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Well Damn, Where Are All My Kids Then??

Book page with a paragraph describing woman with stretch marks

lilycama Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh someone needs to tell this person men also get stretch marks and they are not ll from having kids. weightloss or gain does it too

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Let's Not Forget This Gem Either

Book page with a paragraph describing females' nipples

isapphic Report

Add photo comments
POST
ortaduchess avatar
Stephanie Did It
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just imagine the reverse: "every hair in my beard becoming a tiny penis"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Women Written by Men: What Does Vondriska Say?

“I’m an avid reader, but the straw that broke the camel’s back was a novel my boyfriend lent me, where the female character was described by her breasts, and the male character was described by his personality.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“Working in advertising, I tend to be Very Online, so taking my anger to Twitter seemed like a natural parallel. I was familiar with the Men Writing Women subreddit, but created a Twitter account in order to craft a consistent narrative and to build a community that wasn’t hidden behind anonymity,” Vondriska revealed what inspired her to create ‘Men Write Women.’

Vondriska, from Wisconsin, devours 3 to 5 books each week. (Meanwhile, our piles of started-but-unfinished books keep on growing.) According to her, a lot of male writers who tend to be thought of as the “founders of the literary canon” are continuous offenders. “John Updike, for instance. But the greatest repeat offender is definitely Stephen King. His portrayal of his female characters is honestly offensive,” Vondriska said.

#7

Ugly Women Without Good Personalities Should Kill Themselves [rivers Of London By Ben Aaronovitch]

Book page with a paragraph describing woman with a good personality

reddit.com Report

#8

This Made My Breasts Frown

Book page with a paragraph describing woman breast

lordeandsaviour Report

Add photo comments
POST
dhejno avatar
Rowlie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lately my breasts only cry and sigh deeply. I miss all the smiling

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

That's Not How Any Of This Works

Book page with a paragraph describing woman being aroused

menwritewomen Report

Male Authors Writing About Women Actually Well

However, it isn't all doom and gloom in the literary world. There are male writers who can write women well, too. “Terry Pratchett is wonderful, and I’ve yet to see a submission from Michael Crichton,” Vondriska shared that she, like many of us, is a Pratchett fan. Vondriska also pointed out that, in her opinion, the best writers are well-read. So, she encouraged all of us to read more and (most importantly) read more widely.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Pay attention to what you’re reading and who you’re reading. You have to make sure your bookshelf isn't made up of just men. Add in some spice—some female authors, some nonbinary authors, or authors of color. And lastly, just because you were assigned a book in high school doesn't mean it’s good!”

#10

Unsurprisingly, The Book's Terrible Writing From A "Proclaimed" Writer Does Not End Here (The Wedding Plot, Jeffrey Eugenides)

Book page with a paragraph describing woman looking at herself in the mirror

menwritewomen Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boobs are testicles. They don't "withdraw" because there is muscle and a rib cage underneath and they are just mounds of fat and milk producing tissue. I feel like so many people here did not pay attention in health class. How can they be so clueless about the female body?

nazirowaty avatar
Michał Jastrzębski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a breast tissue starts to "withdraw" in any way, lady dear, its time for a mammography ASAP. Thats one of symptoms of advancing breast cancer...Oo

suegrigg avatar
Sue Grigg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your breasts are withdrawing into themselves you have bigger problems than depression.

onionbanan avatar
Mary Melgrade
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you're telling me I don't have small boobs, and that I'm just depressed... Praise the lord i can appeal to these horrible writers standard of beauty at long last!

baconycakes1337 avatar
Bacony Cakes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did they make the Super Mario 64 cannon rising sound while doing so?

rhodabike6 avatar
Seabeast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is such a thing as inverted nipples, but... they don't withdraw into themselves because you feel a bit depressed. They're either inherited or, if they appear suddenly, a possible sign of breast cancer.

banjopeppers avatar
Banjo Peppers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh that author also wrote a scene in Middlesex that was supposed to be arousing where the guy was putting the bell of his clarinet against the woman’s stomach and blowing low, hard notes. I play clarinet so I just imagined all the hot saliva that drips down the inside of a clarinet. Gross.

jclaytonyoung avatar
Clayton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A good number of proclaimed writers, it seems, are actually pretty bad at what they do. Eugenides seems to struggle to understand both the physical world and human psychology.

ladygoodwrench avatar
Leslie K Von Dell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, let me understand this.... when a woman gets upset, crying her breasts withdraw? So does that mean if I get oh, angry, my fat shrinks? That's a novel idea!!!

boredpandausergirl avatar
Bored Little Panda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait hol up why go from swarthy blotchy face to sad boobies... where's the connection

townsjessica1981 avatar
J
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My goodness, has he ever actually seen a woman's body?

jasmineroberts avatar
COcO BAMa
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

trueblu-canadian avatar
Blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep no matter how depressed I get my breasts have never withdrawn into my chest cavity.

maemosse avatar
Mae Mosse
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could slap him round the face with my prosthetic boobs, after getting them out of the box, he might feel a little depressed then! They are bloody heavy which is why I don’t wear them. No writers ever write about women not having any boobs. Not all women do have them. Honestly male writers need to get a clue but so do women writers as they focus on them a lot too.

seidelme avatar
Michael Se
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If "[she] knew this self-appraisal might not be accurate" why was it written in the first place?

lordmysticlaw avatar
Lord Mysticlaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your breasts have withdrawn, it's probably time to sue your plastic surgeon. And get to the ER.

lambersoncorona avatar
Maggie Dinzler Shaw
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would allow for some poetic license here. She is assessing herself and accuracy may have given way to her intense negative feelings .

three_treasures avatar
Sylvia O'Neill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol. no wonder so many cannot understand that breastfeeding in public is NOT a sexual thing! it would be wonderful if they could actually 'withdrawal into themselves', that would make life so much easier for us big busted gals! Clearly someone has never even seen a woman's bosoms in person, let alone know anything about the female anatomy!

gerardneaux avatar
Gerard Neaux
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahahahaha the breasts withdrawn like snail's eyes. Also Madeleine can see her breasts in the mirror, so i guess she's naked? I like coherent writers so much.

edgeducks avatar
Nicole Needham
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn it. I want retractable breasts. These things get in the way. 🤣

nothingfancy avatar
Nothing Fancy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your boobs withdraw thats actually something you should see a doctor about.

michelle_hallahan avatar
GenXandEarnedItAll
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The nipples do the opposite. They poke out instead withdrawing into themselves.

s_vidal6056 avatar
Ain’tNoReason
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A casual male friend once asked me had I ever had a prostate exam. I am a female. Sigh

abigailschnell avatar
MALEC GWITTER
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By the Angel..... I'm depressed looking at her breasts being depressed. Anyone is welcome to join our depressed breast party

24asquire avatar
LegendYak
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My breasts are withdrawing so much that they no longer look like breasts.

lesliejabine avatar
Leslie Jabine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My boobs are depressed after reading this. I'm empathetic that way.

nicoletomme avatar
Nicole Tomme
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry Susan no family photos today. My breasts have withdrawn.

eulaliegrace avatar
Eulalie Grace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe this poor woman should become a character in the last book. Then her breasts would be smiling ...

jasmineroberts avatar
COcO BAMa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Withdrawn breast mean depression i guess im just always sad

brandivansteenwyk avatar
Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't be the only reader who, with each post, giggles even more when picturing what the author is describing.

dmoody36 avatar
David Moody
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

(Mental image of a woman whose breasts have withdrawn so much that she has 2 craters on her chest).

dodsonmichelle avatar
Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her breasts had withdrawn? Has he ever seen an ACTUAL woman's breasts? They don't WITHDRAW, they just sag forlornly at the idiocy of men.

saderman avatar
Shelli Aderman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do boobs “withdraw” into themselves? 🤣🤦🏽‍♀️

ckoehlert avatar
Cathren Page
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean this line is bad--but it's actually called the Marriage Plot, and it's a pretty good book. His book Middlesex is also pretty feminist and pro-trans.

sj-dumond avatar
JD Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has anyone... ever.. & I mean EVER, seen a woman with withdrawn boobs? Or are we talking about men in a cold depressing lake at this point?

micchidawn avatar
Micchi Dawn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Breasts do not withdraw into themselves!! They don't work that way the hell lmaooooo

kha_duong_1 avatar
K.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait. How did I miss out on this lesson? How do I retract them and balloon them at will. It would be amazing if I could put my breasts on a shelf until I’m ready to use them. Granted, they’d get dusty until summer 2021.

jmchoto avatar
Jo Choto
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's hysterical. Does he really think boobs and balls function the same?

issabellam avatar
IzzieM
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is probably the source of "confusion" around assault cases..."Her breasts did not withdraw, so she obviously wanted it". Some people are clueless.

kylebartz avatar
Kyle Bartz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Puffed out chest = pride. Slouched posture pulls the chest inward. Bring your shoulders forward and in as if to walk slowly and “kick rocks”. Again, not rocket science.

ariskannavas avatar
Aris Kannavas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair she is looking at herself in the mirror sadly. Things can appear differently when depressed. And the author even states ‘... self-appraisal might not be accurate’ immediately after

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Male Authors Writing Women Are Actually Just Horror Stories And Here's Why

Book page with a paragraph describing woman talking about college girls d

isapphic Report

#12

Ah Yes, Exactly How I'd Describe Myself (The Diamond Age, Neal Stephenson)

Book page with a paragraph describing woman telling about herself

menwritewomen Report

What is the Female Gaze Theory?

The female gaze theory refers to the female point of view in the story that focuses on the realistic depiction of the characters rather than objectifying their bodies. Usually, when netizens say, “written by a woman,” they are talking about this realistic female gaze that gives depth to the character rather than their physical appearance.

#13

I'm Sorry, Her Breasts Do What

Book page with a paragraph describing woman breast

alexis_writes1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
dhejno avatar
Rowlie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess the only breasts the author saw were trying to escape from him

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

She's Eleven And Scared But Let's Talk About Her Nipples

Book page with a paragraph describing woman nipples and lips

Professor_Owl Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

This Whole Book Has Both My Eyes And My Boobs Rolling

Book page with a paragraph describing woman breast

icomebearingpoop Report

#16

Be Horrified With The Rest Of Us

Book page with a paragraph describing woman appearance

meganaderr Report

Add photo comments
POST
lordmysticlaw avatar
Lord Mysticlaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Men like Conde should not be surprised that sexy women love other women, and he really should try to help that male chauvinism.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Plz Put This On My Tombstone #submission (The Dogs, Scott Smith)

Book page with a paragraph describing Ambers' appearance

menwritewomen Report

#20

*me To My Friend* Excuse Me, May I Please Borrow Your Eyeballs?

Book page with a paragraph describing woman eyes

menwritewomen Report

#21

She Was Flesh And Blood, Not The 2D Woman He Was Used To Objectifying On Television, And For That She Was All The More Special (A Time On Earth, Vihelm Moberg)

Book page with a paragraph describing woman appearance

menwritewomen Report

#22

Literally No Woman Would Ever Do This (Misterioso, Arne Dahl)

Book page with a paragraph describing woman and man being intimate

menwritewomen Report

Add photo comments
POST
lordmysticlaw avatar
Lord Mysticlaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the first place this whole soaking thing sounds like a dishcloth, this guy obviously doesn't know how pads work. In the second place, pads stick to underwear, in my experience you don't just "fish them out", this guy obviously doesn't know how pads work. In the third place, of course the only possible rational reason why a woman would refuse sex is because she's on her period!, this guy is obviously an effing asshole.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Only Sluts Have Hairy Legs (The Things They Carried, Tim O'brien)

Book page with a paragraph describing woman legs

menwritewomen Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dry sounds like she just needs to use more lotion. dry skin is horribly itchy

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

Wish I Had Pillowy Breasts! Taken From Ben Fountain’s Brief Encounters With Che Guevara

Book page with a paragraph describing woman body

inquisitorial_25 Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm more concerned by the fact he seems to routinely check out boys' butts and uses that as the benchmark of sexy.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

The Rest Reads “Dad Is Looking Like He Made A Better Decision Every Year”. What?!?

Book page with a paragraph describing son talking about his moms' appearance

sadhairahcaz Report

#27

This Is A Totally Anatomically Normal Thing For Breasts To Do #submission (We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, Philip Dick)

Book page with a paragraph describing woman breast

menwritewomen Report

Add photo comments
POST
lordmysticlaw avatar
Lord Mysticlaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These male authors are making my breasts pulse with resentment. They're really pissed off.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

#menwritingwomen No Wonder Some Of Them Think Our Breasts Stop Us From Doing Stuff If They Think We’re As Obsessed As They Are. We Can’t Get Away From Them. Oh Must Do This Important Thing But Wait!

Book page with a paragraph describing woman breast

KathrynEvansInk Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well this seems to reinforce every ugly stereotype of men being sex crazed horndogs

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

'the Shining', By Stephen King. Its Always Breasts

Book page with a paragraph describing woman breast

GodfreyCrane Report

Add photo comments
POST
cherylchilds avatar
Chez
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be fair, this scene is where he is describing a woman who has been dead in a bath for however long (a ghost of her anyway). And when I read it it's actually made perfect sense in that context.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 78 images. It’s been shortened to the top 29 images based on user votes.

Female Characters Are More Than Just Their Bodies

We understand your anger. It’s impossible to read the thread without getting infuriated about this poor depiction of women. You can take out your anger about these male writers and express yourself in the comments. After all, women are so much more than just their bodies. Share this not just with your fellow feminists but with other friends and family, too. It’s high time we call out these unfair depictions, don’t you think so?