I'm posting from my phone, so I can't do quotes (please forgive!)
@Graeham: I agree that there are those who could be using RP as an outlet for unfulfilled aspects of their RL, and as such may be prioritizing romance well over any other detail. I don't mind this though, because to each their own! I just tend to attract these sorts when playing males, I suppose, and the lack of compatible priorities makes it awkward for me.
@Any female wanting to play a male character who is afraid they'll "mess it up": don't be. I acknowledge that there are some subtle differences in gender, as Gaspard mentioned, but don't let the fear of how accurately you may or may not portray a male stop you from trying (if that's what you'd like to do.)
Thinking about it, I've been playing male characters for about 15 years, so I may be able to offer advice for any who want to hop over that mental hurdle.
Maybe try thinking of a female concept like you usually would, with all of the background and personality quirks that you'd regularly assign, to start. Then ask, " And what if this concept I like were a male instead?" You might be surprised at how little you'd have to tweak things.
When I first started playing male characters, I thought a lot about male characters that I admired or enjoyed in media. A few of my early experiments took on strong attributes from those, as I gained my footing. I paid attention to them, and noted / studied how they were different - and it was easy, because I already enjoyed the character anyway. Also, if you think about guys you may know in your RL (dad, cousin, brother, friends, boyfriend), they may be different in some ways, but they probably aren't SO alien.
Granted, I'll admit that I do not ERP personally, so I've never had to describe anything remotely approaching what males feel during such things (nor would I really be able to, even if I had the desire.) Still, the line between genders isn't so expansive that it's uncrossable. If you want to try it, take the plunge! Even if it didn't work out, you could at least say "I tried to once" as opposed to "I've always wanted to but..."
You don't have to die to write a death scene, as they say!
@Graeham: I agree that there are those who could be using RP as an outlet for unfulfilled aspects of their RL, and as such may be prioritizing romance well over any other detail. I don't mind this though, because to each their own! I just tend to attract these sorts when playing males, I suppose, and the lack of compatible priorities makes it awkward for me.
@Any female wanting to play a male character who is afraid they'll "mess it up": don't be. I acknowledge that there are some subtle differences in gender, as Gaspard mentioned, but don't let the fear of how accurately you may or may not portray a male stop you from trying (if that's what you'd like to do.)
Thinking about it, I've been playing male characters for about 15 years, so I may be able to offer advice for any who want to hop over that mental hurdle.
Maybe try thinking of a female concept like you usually would, with all of the background and personality quirks that you'd regularly assign, to start. Then ask, " And what if this concept I like were a male instead?" You might be surprised at how little you'd have to tweak things.
When I first started playing male characters, I thought a lot about male characters that I admired or enjoyed in media. A few of my early experiments took on strong attributes from those, as I gained my footing. I paid attention to them, and noted / studied how they were different - and it was easy, because I already enjoyed the character anyway. Also, if you think about guys you may know in your RL (dad, cousin, brother, friends, boyfriend), they may be different in some ways, but they probably aren't SO alien.
Granted, I'll admit that I do not ERP personally, so I've never had to describe anything remotely approaching what males feel during such things (nor would I really be able to, even if I had the desire.) Still, the line between genders isn't so expansive that it's uncrossable. If you want to try it, take the plunge! Even if it didn't work out, you could at least say "I tried to once" as opposed to "I've always wanted to but..."
You don't have to die to write a death scene, as they say!
