As the school year comes to an end, so does my schedule of posting. Hopefully, the blog isn't dying; it's slowing down. That makes this my final "on time" post. I'd like to thank anyone who's stuck along for the ride, and anyone who plans to stick around and check back every now and then in the future. Thanks! You guys' support means a lot.
Alright, so here it is:
This is your final writing reminder for a while. I hope you all keep writing without my nagging. Even so, here it is - go write. That's all I've got, it's up to you now. Go be authors and change the world in the way that only authors can. I believe in y'all. Until next time, whenever that may be, happy writing. -Abby
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Positively Writing LGBTQ+
I've been inspired by instances of positive and believable writing of the LGBT+ community in TV and literature, and wanted to put together a list of tips for everyone (including me) to help when we try to write.
1: Don't overdo it
The occasional bi or trans character can liven up a story or add interest to a romance, but if all your characters are lgbtq+, it just isn't realistic. It can be jarring to readers if, without explanation, everyone is gay, and it can make romances less relatable. This tip in particular is subject to literary license, but be aware.
2: Challenge stereotypes
We all fall into the stereotype trap in our writing every now and again - with a slow blonde cheerleader or a nerdy asian kid - but it's much more interesting to defy a stereotype than to follow along with one. This applies twofold to lgbtq writing. There are so many assumptions and stereotypes, this is another one to be aware of.
3: Do your research
This goes hand in hand with the stereotypes. Before you start writing, do your research on the subject matter. Get your information from primary sources. If a character falls into a stereotype, check to see if that stereotype has a basis in likelihood or not. Also, in this somewhat touchy matter, you'll offend a lot less people if you know what you're talking about.
4: Make sure your intentions are clear
This is another way you might offend others; if your intentions are vague, people will take things the wrong way. When you write especially flawed characters that are lgbtq, make sure the distinction between their flaws and their sexuality is obvious. If you want to have a character that follows a certain stereotype, communicate that your choices are intentional, not coming from a misunderstanding or prejudiced standpoint. Again, it can be a touchy subject, so make your decisions carefully.
5: Don't overlook character
Never forget that a person is more than their sexual orientation or identity. It's okay to have it be an important point in the story, but remember that every person has depth and shouldn't be one-sided (with occasional exceptions). Remember to develop all characters appropriately for their roles in the story.
And that's all she wrote! Go forth and write interesting lgbtq+ characters, or at least, know these tips in case you'd like to. Happy writing! -Abby
1: Don't overdo it
The occasional bi or trans character can liven up a story or add interest to a romance, but if all your characters are lgbtq+, it just isn't realistic. It can be jarring to readers if, without explanation, everyone is gay, and it can make romances less relatable. This tip in particular is subject to literary license, but be aware.
2: Challenge stereotypes
We all fall into the stereotype trap in our writing every now and again - with a slow blonde cheerleader or a nerdy asian kid - but it's much more interesting to defy a stereotype than to follow along with one. This applies twofold to lgbtq writing. There are so many assumptions and stereotypes, this is another one to be aware of.
3: Do your research
This goes hand in hand with the stereotypes. Before you start writing, do your research on the subject matter. Get your information from primary sources. If a character falls into a stereotype, check to see if that stereotype has a basis in likelihood or not. Also, in this somewhat touchy matter, you'll offend a lot less people if you know what you're talking about.
4: Make sure your intentions are clear
This is another way you might offend others; if your intentions are vague, people will take things the wrong way. When you write especially flawed characters that are lgbtq, make sure the distinction between their flaws and their sexuality is obvious. If you want to have a character that follows a certain stereotype, communicate that your choices are intentional, not coming from a misunderstanding or prejudiced standpoint. Again, it can be a touchy subject, so make your decisions carefully.
5: Don't overlook character
Never forget that a person is more than their sexual orientation or identity. It's okay to have it be an important point in the story, but remember that every person has depth and shouldn't be one-sided (with occasional exceptions). Remember to develop all characters appropriately for their roles in the story.
And that's all she wrote! Go forth and write interesting lgbtq+ characters, or at least, know these tips in case you'd like to. Happy writing! -Abby
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)