People are tweeting examples of male authors writing female characters badly.

Should men be allowed to write? Great question. On principle, I'd say no...and after reading the below excerpts, I'd also say no. Even the most imaginative men struggle to give their female characters attributes beyond 'supports the main male character' and 'is pleasing for men to look at.' Even if they're allowed agency, it's usually in service of the (male) protagonist's goals. Renowned, commercially successful writers like Steven King, Ian Fleming, and Philip Roth rarely foreground women's experiences in their work - and when they do, the women are often sexualized for no reason or meet tragic ends. It's trash.

While we're waiting for J.K. Rowling to reboot 'Harry Potter' with Hermione as the lead, here are sixteen instances of male authors - some talented, some less so - crafting horrible, terrible, no-good female characters.