Mal's Stuff^>^ discussion

this will be for tips on HOW to write different types of characters (eg. men, poc, etc)

The Core Mindset: Write Humans First
The most believable male characters are, first and foremost, believable people. Their masculinity is a flavor, not the whole meal. Start with universal human cores: fear, love, pride, shame, loyalty, the desire to protect or be seen.

The "Tell" Avoidance Checklist (What Often Gives Away a Female Author)
These aren't rules, but common pitfalls to be aware of:

The Over-Explained Emotional Cascade: "He felt a pang of sadness, which then twisted into anger because he felt vulnerable, which then made him feel ashamed of his anger..." Men, especially emotionally stunted or action-oriented ones (like Marcus), often experience emotional short-circuiting. They feel a primary emotion (anger, frustration) that is a cover for a vulnerable one (hurt, fear). They often don't parse the layers until later, if ever. Show the primary, hint at the secondary through action.

Instead of: He was devastated by her words.

Try: Her words landed like a physical blow. He turned away, busying his hands with the kettle, his jaw a hard line. "Whatever," he muttered, the word coming out tight.

The Catalog of Physical Perfection: Describing men like a romance novel cover (the chiseled jaw, the brooding eyes, the specific way his shirt stretches). Men notice different things about other men. They note utility, threat, or status.

They notice: The mud on his boots (where's he been?), the expensive but practical watch (is he rich or just tactical?), the way he stands like he's ready for a fight, the tired slump of his shoulders after a long shift. Romeo’s "naturally bored expression" is a great example—it’s an attitude, not a sculpted feature.

Female-Gaze Dialogue About Feelings: Men, particularly in groups or under stress, often communicate in code, subtext, and shared context. They bond through side-by-side activity (fixing a car, playing a game) rather than face-to-face confession.

Marcus doesn't say: "Elijah, I'm pushing you away because I'm terrified of losing you like I lost your mother."

Marcus says: "Pack your shit." The love is in the terrible, painful action, not the words.

Character-Specific Application to MY Story:
Elijah (The Teen Boy):

His Emotions: They are immediate, physical, and overwhelming. Frustration is a slammed door. Betrayal is a cold numbness, then a frantic search for distraction (the video game). He won't cry easily; he'll get angry, or he'll shut down.

His Observations: He notices Layla's inauthenticity (the botox, the dyed hair)—this is a threat assessment, not an aesthetic one. He notes his father's boots (caked in mud and Cinder)—this is a clue about activity, not fashion.

His Dialogue: With friends, it's full of references, insults-as-affection, and talking around things. With adults, it's either polite defense ("Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Vitalio") or tight protest ("But my friends are here").

Marcus (The Burdened Man):

His Love = Action + Burden: Sending Elijah away is his tragic, flawed act of love. His vulnerability is the pleading look beneath the hard voice. He expresses care through providing (the house, food) and, when failing, through gruffness.

His Grief: It has calcified into workaholism, irritability, and a desperate need for control. He doesn't visit a grave; he obsesses over a case file.

Romeo (The Charismatic Mentor):

His Intelligence as Swagger: His "I notice everything" isn't just fact—it's a performance of competence, a way to establish control and charm. His laid-back demeanor is a tool to put others (like Elijah) at ease.

His Care as Challenge: He shows he's on Elijah's side by getting him out of a jam and later by arguing with Marcus. For a man like Romeo, fighting for someone is the ultimate proof of loyalty.

DONT USE FOOD WORDS TO DESCRIBE PEOPLE OF COLOR. (use woods, metals, gemstones)

"The survivability of the human body is as much a curse as it is a blessing."

"damned if you do, damned if you don't"

I am protected because I am loved, and I am dangerous because I am trusted.

Not For The Gods is an Adult Dark Fantasy complete in the first book. It combines the grimdark brutality and divine politics of R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War with the psychological isolation and mythic horror of Christopher Buehlman's Between Two Fires. It's a story for readers who loved the deadly competition of The Hunger Games and the warring pantheons of Percy Jackson, but aged into something far darker.