1 Try writing your male characters who appear to be decent as if they were total hypocrites. When you've sorted it out, change the adjectives and voila! Good luck with the flashlight thing...

2 Let's get all circular: you're sad because you're sad; and you're angry because you're angry. Next, tie some rope to the flashlight and spin around your head. That will make things really circular. You're only confused because someone else is pretending they know what they're talking about.

3 How about frustrated? Walk away and come back later. As far as male characters go, you already have the action part with your plot outline. As far as personality goes, may I suggest actual males you have known--give your characters a real face. As far as motivation goes, leave it out or pick a reason when you're through. Nobody ever knows anyway. Even with real-life males.

4 I believe they generally claim

5 [what happened there?] . . . some rational reason. It usually doesn't stand up to serious analysis.

6 Joy, As a male, my advice on writing men is to go back to the basics: 1. He wants her. 2. He can't communicate with her. 3. He will beat (or attempt to) anyone who points either of these things out to him. We are simple beasts driven by our needs. Don't be angry at being sad or sad about your anger. You have the Hub; be angry at him then go for the make-up fun. Or sulk until he rubs your feet and makes the sad go away. Just my 2 cents and the flashlight. SGT Dave, Living the dream in Baghdad.

7 I adore you, Sgt. Dave. Thank you so much for what you're doing.