Women of The West

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Timbrian

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I'm re-writing my first western. The thing is, how do I write as if I were Jenny Lee; her point of view? I'm not a woman. The same old story line of which she is raped by the men who kill her husband. Who in turn, becomes an outlaw. I'm not going for extensive detail about the rape. I am applying to "PG"-rated western action and dialogue think back to the 1970s Westerns. Any suggestions? Also should it start with action first or slow build up?
 

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I'm re-writing my first western. The thing is, how do I write as if I were Jenny Lee; her point of view? I'm not a woman. The same old story line of which she is raped by the men who kill her husband. Who in turn, becomes an outlaw. I'm not going for extensive detail about the rape. I am applying to "PG"-rated western action and dialogue think back to the 1970s Westerns. Any suggestions? Also should it start with action first or slow build up?

You don't have to think as 'a woman'. Women are people. You're a person. Think as a person.
 

dinky_dau

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Write with heightened feelings, simmering feelings such as grudges, yearnings, and resentments; write a character who is more-than-usually sensitive to smells and tactile sensations, (e.g. the way clothes feel against skin). A woman might typically harbor over-concern for what others think; over-worry about how much things cost; anxiety over cleanliness (most women are intent on everything around them being clean).
Write a woman as a character who would delight at cute or quaint or clever things; someone who is irritated easily at dullness or repetition or drudgery or routine...irked at having no one to listen to her thoughts or complaints...hatred of silence..
 
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Helix

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Write with heightened feelings, simmering feelings such as grudges, yearnings, and resentments; write a character who is more-than-usually sensitive to smells and tactile sensations, (e.g. the way clothes feel against skin). A woman might typically harbor over-concern for what others think; over-worry about how much things cost; anxiety over cleanliness (most women are intent on everything around them being clean).
Write a woman as a character who would delight at cute or quaint or clever things; someone who is irritated easily at dullness or repetition or drudgery or routine...irked at having no one to listen to her thoughts or complaints...hatred of silence..

Also have them crocheting doilies, because women are always doing that stuff. And standing on chairs shrieking about mice. Amirite?
 

be frank

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Also have them crocheting doilies, because women are always doing that stuff. And standing on chairs shrieking about mice. Amirite?

Don't forget swooning. Us lady-folk are always swooning.
 

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Write with heightened feelings, simmering feelings such as grudges, yearnings, and resentments; write a character who is more-than-usually sensitive to smells and tactile sensations, (e.g. the way clothes feel against skin). A woman might typically harbor over-concern for what others think; over-worry about how much things cost; anxiety over cleanliness (most women are intent on everything around them being clean).
Write a woman as a character who would delight at cute or quaint or clever things; someone who is irritated easily at dullness or repetition or drudgery or routine...irked at having no one to listen to her thoughts or complaints...hatred of silence..

Bless your heart.
 

kuwisdelu

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Write with heightened feelings, simmering feelings such as grudges, yearnings, and resentments; write a character who is more-than-usually sensitive to smells and tactile sensations, (e.g. the way clothes feel against skin). A woman might typically harbor over-concern for what others think; over-worry about how much things cost; anxiety over cleanliness (most women are intent on everything around them being clean).
Write a woman as a character who would delight at cute or quaint or clever things; someone who is irritated easily at dullness or repetition or drudgery or routine...irked at having no one to listen to her thoughts or complaints...hatred of silence..

We also gossip. Can't forget that. And we're always happiest in the kitchen, usually baking something.
 

mccardey

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Can this be my thread to take home, please? This is the best thread I ever saw. This is absolutely post-Trumpian in all its terrible glory :roll:
 

Roxxsmom

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We also gossip. Can't forget that. And we're always happiest in the kitchen, usually baking something.

And our wombs basically ache. Constantly. At least until we've popped out a few babies. I know mine does at this very moment.

Wait. I don't have a womb. It must be gas.

Never mind.

:mothership:
 
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dpaterso

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I sprayed tea out my nose. That's not as elegant as it sounds.

But if anything that was suggested gives the OP a thought to work with, well and good.

Also should it start with action first or slow build up?
If it's an action-driven story, I'd kick off with action. If it's a character piece I'd go with a slower build-up -- but don't delay the action toooo long. Also depends which '70s Westerns you're thinking of, you might want to take a look at their pacing and emulate them.

-Derek
 
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ajaye

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And better not have them driving wagons. Of course they can clean them.
 

Roxxsmom

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And better not have them driving wagons. Of course they can clean them.

And milk cows and feed chickens.

But no matter how depressed she is about being raped and having her spouse killed, she'll cheer up if someone takes her shopping. Women all love shopping, right?
 

Roxxsmom

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No, that's hats. Women love hats. Shopping is just something they do through instinct.

Oh, right, because we evolved to be gatherers. Harvesting nuts, roots, and berries is just like rommaging through sales racks. So mindless it doesn't distract us from holding our farts in.
 
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kuwisdelu

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And our wombs basically ache. Constantly. At least until we've popped out a few babies. I know mine does at this very moment.

Wait. I don't have a womb.

That's exactly why mine hurts, actually.

It can't be gas, because women don't fart.

No pooping either.

Our assholes are made purely for naughty exceptions that preserve our virginal purity for marriage.
 
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JJ Litke

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Write with heightened feelings, simmering feelings such as grudges, yearnings, and resentments; write a character who is more-than-usually sensitive to smells and tactile sensations, (e.g. the way clothes feel against skin). A woman might typically harbor over-concern for what others think; over-worry about how much things cost; anxiety over cleanliness (most women are intent on everything around them being clean).
Write a woman as a character who would delight at cute or quaint or clever things; someone who is irritated easily at dullness or repetition or drudgery or routine...irked at having no one to listen to her thoughts or complaints...hatred of silence..

Hey, none of that describes me at all. Holy shit, I must not be a woman!

Thank god a man finally showed me the light in this. I'll have to break the news to my husband. Hopefully he'll be okay with admitting he's gay so we can stay married.
 

Myrealana

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I'm re-writing my first western. The thing is, how do I write as if I were Jenny Lee; her point of view? I'm not a woman. The same old story line of which she is raped by the men who kill her husband. Who in turn, becomes an outlaw. I'm not going for extensive detail about the rape. I am applying to "PG"-rated western action and dialogue think back to the 1970s Westerns. Any suggestions? Also should it start with action first or slow build up?

I really enjoyed A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains for a contemporary perspective on western life.
 

cornflake

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Write with heightened feelings, simmering feelings such as grudges, yearnings, and resentments; write a character who is more-than-usually sensitive to smells and tactile sensations, (e.g. the way clothes feel against skin). A woman might typically harbor over-concern for what others think; over-worry about how much things cost; anxiety over cleanliness (most women are intent on everything around them being clean). Write a woman as a character who would delight at cute or quaint or clever things; someone who is irritated easily at dullness or repetition or drudgery or routine...irked at having no one to listen to her thoughts or complaints...hatred of silence..
Yes, incessant yammering -- but also giggling, like 'tee hee,' preferably while blushing and waving skirts about. They're also very easily offended, and don't use bad or crude words, because their constitution is more delicate and such. They get overwhelmed very easily, so have a fainting couch nearby, in case an a man says something shocking, or the woman sees something untoward.
 

Ketzel

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You don't have to think as 'a woman'. Women are people. You're a person. Think as a person.
You radical, you! Everyone knows women are mysterious creatures. Inexplicable. Riddles wrapped in enigmas. I can't even make sense of myself, but everyone tells me that's part of my charm. *adds eyelash batting emoticon*
 
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dinky_dau

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Fiction is a heightened form of realism. It's still true to life, more often than not.

No girl I've ever met; ever wanted to deal with cockroaches or mice in their apartment. Spiders, centipedes..nope. Instead they would call me up and get me to come over to kill them. Nothing unusual or exaggerated about this observation. And yep, I also have several female friends who knit or sew; (none of my guy friends do). None of my guy friends go to nail salons, or get Brazilian waxings; none of my guy friends spend money on cosmetics, expensive shoes, or handbags...
 

Kitkitdizzi

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Oh, and we all think all men are idiots. We arch our eyebrows a lot. Especially when men do things that make no sense. Which is all the time.
 
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