This Is What It's Like To Be A Male Odyssey Writer
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This Is What It's Like To Be A Male Odyssey Writer

I'm part of the team, not an outcast.

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This Is What It's Like To Be A Male Odyssey Writer
Paul Shen

As someone who writes for Odyssey, I consider it a special privilege to provide weekly content, or to provide content as close to a weekly basis as I can. I'm privileged to have great writers around me, and tremendous leaders who write bomb content.

However, almost all of them are female. There's nothing wrong with that, but my point is, there aren't enough men writing for the Odyssey.

1. We're significantly outnumbered.

You heard that right. The numbers speak for themselves; while I can't speak for an entire Odyssey writers' population, there are almost 20 female writers for every male writer where I'm located.

2. We're defying a stereotype.

By being a male writer for Odyssey, I'm making the effort to nix the impression that Odyssey is a place JUST for girls who write about positive body image, friendships, and boys. It's silly. This takes nothing away from the females who write great content, but the point is, that Odyssey isn't girls only. This also isn't elementary school girls' play time (where no males are allowed).

3. It can be overwhelming.

Part of my motivation to start writing for the Odyssey was due to writers on ThoughtCatalog such as Rania Naim, Melanie Berliet, and Kirsten Corley, and they are authors whose articles get plenty of viewership. I often see articles that target a female-heavy audience there (although men can relate too), but I see the same thing with Odyssey

There's no problem at all with their articles targeting a female-heavy audience, though, but when there is only one male writer for approximately every 20 female writers, it's hard to come up with great content that would not only potentially get mass amounts of views and shares, but also successfully target an expanded or appropriate audience.

4. I'm growing to be comfortable in my own skin.

I've gotten used to being the only guy (or one of just a few of them) among a majority-female group. This was the case when I was studying piano at the University of Michigan. I loved my professor, and being able to perform not just for him but in front of audiences. However, I debunked the stereotype that he was just a professor whom all the ladies flocked to. I enjoyed working with him. I was also subconsciously made fun of for being an extrovert/outgoing since most of the studio was introverted, but it was their choice to do that. I just continued to mind my own business because I was comfortable being there. I'm completely comfortable writing for Odyssey and I love it.

5. Writing allows us to be better people.

I'm able to express my thoughts through writing, and I find writing to be the most connective form of expression. I'm able to also hone my writing skills.

6. I'm learning to embrace a team culture.

My team in Odyssey is mostly ladies, but again, it's not a battle of the sexes, nor it is me against the world. I've been supportive of the team's continued growth and writing some awesome content. Ladies, you do you, but I'm part of the team too, not an outcast.

7. We're all on the same mission.

We're trying to get as many page views as possible and to try to appear on the Odyssey official Facebook page, and I'm one of them who's trying to. But when I see the articles that make the Odyssey official Facebook page, very few of them are written by males. It's hard to steal the headlines, but I'm trying to put myself out there to get those views and shares.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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