In my novel Shattered, I wanted to show relationships between men and women.
Yet I was also aware that I didn’t want to, well, bash women. My main character
is male and has several troubled relationships with women. And while I do have
some opinions on women, I did not want to show them as bad. Nor as victims. I
struggle even now as it is published how he treats women. I didn’t want my
characters to suffer the things my protagonist does.

I know there is a limitation of a man writing a woman. But what I wanted to
show is everyone is the hero at times and at other times, the villain. 
The good guy and the victim.

Our culture’s view of women causes damage, Literature and positive portrayal
of women is needed. I support the trend of women as the heroes in all media. I definitely
support not having a man save a woman and a female character just be there for
the hero to save her.

So I worry that people that read the book will see a philosophy
towards women that is not there.  I just
tried to write an honest, tension-filled story. Why do I think that? Because people
read into the characters. And that is not to say that people shouldn’t.  I am interested in Hemingway’s female character’s
relating to his views and treatment of his wives.

I guess I am asking for people to look for the strength in
the female characters in Shattered. Because it is there.