Perspective.
May 1st, 2007 by B.
On May 22nd Jim and I will celebrate our eighth anniversary. A fact only relevant to the two of us, I know. But this year… I think in a effort to be supportive, or maybe just to stick it to me, he’s asking to be gifted a story. Not just any story, but a story written from the male perspective about moving to a foreign country… family in tow… to start a new life. Not necessarily his story, but similarities can abound. Other parameters include the fact that it must not be ‘p.c.’, it must contain an uncomfortable or inappropriate situation or line of dialogue. It also must include at least one sex act of my choosing (last dance, ladies choice… all couples on the floor!), and it must contain a closing line of ‘who wouldn’t want a fat, balding, middle-aged man?’. This last bit is 100% his choice - not mine*.
I think it’ll be fun giving him what he’s asking for, but not necessarily what he wants. For instance, my written sex-act won’t contain nubile lesbian coeds (sorry Jim) no matter how strongly he hints.
Still, how do you write from the perspective of the opposite sex? More specifically, how do you write well… complete with subtle nuances & non-stereotypical situations… from the perspective of the opposite sex? I guess if I can manage that I just might have a future with this writing gig. If not, I suppose there’s always the option of dashing out at the last minute for an anniversary card and a tie or something.
*even I’m not that mean. lol
On this day..
- Yay for May! - 2007
- Banner Day! - 2006


I know it is a month away, but just in case I forget– Happy Anniversary!
I’m not sure, since I kind of have feet in both worlds. From Jim’s side, I think it ought to include a trip to the car-wash that went better than the trip he actually had.
Adam- Its funny you should mention that… as it’s more or less what I’m thinking the story will revolve around. Only not in a super-obvious, I ripped the blog entry off entirely, way.
Even tho it’ll be waaay early……Happy Anniversary to both of you B…Hope when the day actually comes, that you’ll both be just as happy then as you were when you married
What a great writing assignment! I love trying to write from the perspective of people who are different from me. “Male” fits that bill! (Although in HS I was usually writing as male serial killers!)
Christina - I just hope I can do it… I keep sitting down to start the story and then quickly finding a reason to put it off. lol. Maybe it’ll be done by our 10th anniversary?
[...] in an effort to “expand my reach” as a writer set me up with an extremely difficult (think impossible) writing assignment. It’s finished, but I’m not happy with it yet. I [...]