How Are We All Doing?

MattrickBT wrote: Lookit There wrote: Being gay myself, my entries are *always* focused on gay characters. Yes, I've had same-sex romantic couples in my stories (though have never had romance or rom-com as assignments), and have never been downgraded for it. This current story is my first that doesn't feature a gay male protagonist, and that's only because it doesn't fit the character or the story. Isn't that limiting?

Edited by TheDustyZebra - 27 Jan 2018 at 9:04pm

After a day of research and idea pinging.  I got nothing but a headache.  I HATE COMEDY.    

TheDustyZebra wrote: MattrickBT wrote: Lookit There wrote: Being gay myself, my entries are *always* focused on gay characters. Yes, I've had same-sex romantic couples in my stories (though have never had romance or rom-com as assignments), and have never been downgraded for it. This current story is my first that doesn't feature a gay male protagonist, and that's only because it doesn't fit the character or the story. Isn't that limiting? Why would it be any more limiting than writing non-gay characters? People are people. The same things happen to everyone, regardless of who they love. One of my online friends has done quite well here with his gay characters. I haven't seen any evidence that any of the judges has a bias against it.

If people are people, then why do they have to all be gay? Seems very pigeon-holing. I've written gay, straight, bisexual, and even have an idea for a transexual story. Variety is the spice of life. Isn't a big part of writing forcing yourself to see the world a different way?

I'm about 800 words in. Started inserting placeholders for framing the rest of the story. And hoping 2500 words will be enough for all the world-building I'm attempting in this one.

MattrickBT wrote: Isn't a big part of writing forcing yourself to see the world a different way?

You mean, like, looking at the world and suddenly thinkng "gosh, I get to write whatever I am comfortable with, maybe it is OK for other people to do that too"?

Or, like, instead of criticizing someone for writing what they know and feel they can render accurately, maybe not trying to dictate what is OK for them to write?

Or, like, considering that if you are that judgmental about them writing from their own experience, rather than challenging THEM for it, maybe it's a great opportunity to challenge yourself - by asking, if you are this dogmatic about them wanting to write about what they have actually experienced, is it a good time to examine whether that approach has a negative impact on the authenticity of your own characters?

Yes, writing is, for some people, about challenging themselves. For some people it is about expressing themselves. It is rarely about challenging others' right to express themselves in their writing in ways that resonate with them. :)

Edited by nixie - 27 Jan 2018 at 10:14pm