This is helpful! I have a few non binary characters (a human and a few dragons) and I want to make sure I deal with the dragon ones in a way that makes sense to the story without falling into the non-human stereotype. The thing about dragons in this world is that they're born from powerful natural disasters, live functionally immortal lives, and don't really grow up with parents or societal norms in the way that humans do. They often interact with other dragons and share customs and traditions that they have when greeting each other, but they don't really have a "society" to tell them what to do. Because they don't reproduce biologically, aren't born with any sort of biological sex, and don't have any term of romance-type partnership in their culture, they fundamentally aren't cis or straight by nature. On one hand, I think it's kind of cool to have the pressure of society gone for some of the really wise dragon characters who have themselves all figured out, but I also don't want it to seem too isolated or out of touch with the struggles of humankind.
Right now I have a major character in development (wizard of great power) who is heterosexual but with some bisexual interests. One of his fundamental characteristics is curiosity and the role that plays in is sexuality and related choices. I'd like to do something where he is in an internal struggle as to whether it is a product of curiosity/desire to know or actual orientation (or both). I am also interested in asexuality since I am pretty certain that's me (and thus I'd feel more comfortable speaking to how it feels, evolves over ones lifetime - like being a married asexual, also me). Eventually, I'd like to expand into other areas, but only if I am confident I could do it right.
Sensuality is really fluid, can change over time, and a lot of people don't realize their sensuality until later in life. It doesn't help that sex and sensuality are two totally different things, and you can 100% enjoy having sex with someone you're not attracted to (this was the monkey wrench in my journey to realizing I was aroace). I think it'd be interesting to see that journey played out in a fantasy setting. Just be careful with the bisexuality, since it gets belittled/erased/stereotyped in the real world as "just a kink" or "you're confused." Having another character who IS bisexual and totally confident in it will help offset that.
I write a setting with no homophobia. Characters aren't even really sure what "gay" means, when compared to our modern world. It's just the way they are. On the very rare occasions they encounter prejudice, they find it confusing. Bit more complex with trans issues. On the one hand, they don't have modern technology, so the transition options we know just aren't there. I interpret that as meaning most characters are just oblivious, lacking the vocabulary to frame an idea that their technology doesn't permit anyway. On the other hand, there's magic. So solutions we don't have exist for them. I've not explored it more than that on the page as yet.
Im trans and I’ve always wanted to write a queer character in a book but i wanted to learn how to write one better and this really helped! thank you :)
This is very new and useful information. I have read many fantasy books in English that have been published in US and UK but never knew all of this. I usually buy main stream books but never even heard about the characters having to clarify their pronouns. Is this something very new or only in Western fantasy books? I can see that the USA or western societies do this irl, but is that usual for published fantasy books or is it a preference that is requested by LGBTQI+ communities to include in future books?
Hi Qi Ne! The greeting with the pronouns thing is pretty new in the US in real life, but it's becoming more and more mainstream as people become more aware of the nuances of gender. As I said in the video, doing a whole essay on pronouns and gender identity for a character is not at all required and writers shouldn't feel pressured to do it--Rick Riordan toed this line a little when he introduced Alex in the second Magnus Chase book. She had at least three conversations with people explaining her gender identity and pronouns, and at least two of them were completely unnecessary, in my opinion. She got a lot better in book three. Queer communities just want to see good representation in media. If a character's identity is particularly complex--such as a genderfluid character--then a conversation in the book might be required to clear things up. But that's about all we ask.
...sorta? It's usually one or the other. However, every now and then you get someone who is a blend of the two. Let's say someone is aromantic, which is a queer identity. But they're cis and also sexually attracted (though not romantically attracted) to the opposite gender. That would technically make them cishet as well. The thing with labels is they don't fit everybody. They just help communicate broad ideas. But if you want to get more detailed and intricate, they fall flat. Generally speaking, if you're cishet, you're not queer. Queer, by definition, means "not cishet."
@@CMAlongi Okay. Thanks for the clarification. Personally, I don't care for labels; but, I understand the importance of identity contributing to self-worth. I just rather replace identity with character. I've introduced a queer couple in my WIP, but one dies and the other migrates with some other characters to another manuscript. She (and actually they both) play a vital role in their respective stories since as pilots, they fly everyone around-or one did. With the partner's death, that's just the world or the plot. Even the MC's love interest and a colleague are killed. I'd love to share in detail the intro of my queer couple, as I've also illustrated them for one of those memorable photos couples share, you know? But when I come across topics like this, it makes think to check if I am doing things rights (even 8.75, 9 out of 10 times, I am. 🙂 I'm a confident bastard, btw. 😂)
By the way, I liked the lesbian character in 'Jurassic World Dominion' (sympathetic, strong but flawed and a redemption arch) but you felt they were queerbaiting when it came to the dithering, unimpressive badguy, Dodson. What do you think?
Good....good....more of these please........I have a few LGBTQ characters in my world and struggling with this one. I have loads of races that are non-binary and creatures that can switch gender, and Genderfluid/Trans can change to thier opposite sex, gay and lesbian is around somewhere. My MC did run into multi coloured genderless Orcs who work in shoe-shops. I am glad you added this, because I am finding it difficult to the right thing and so far, I am on track. A few of my friends are happy with it, as long as I get it right and look after the characters. Yes....Terrellium is full of all sorts and another thing I didn't expect to happen, but did. As they are my second big group following, I certainly need to be careful with this one.
Just make sure you add at least one HUMAN nonbinary character. Most SFF writers who include enby folks make them non-human, which sends the message that being non-binary is inhuman. Happy writing!
@@CMAlongi It's okay, everyone can transform, not just them. I already checked this out with the community and they love the idea. They said the same as you, ''make sure you show other people change form''. There are no humans on my.world. Thanks to the high gravity extreme tempratures, and atmospheric elements, there are just very unusual looking beings/humanoids that can shift form at all.
This is a VERY specific target audience and I am grateful for it, thank you so much for making this
I'm glad I could help!
Before we get to it, thank you for making this video. I really need this kind of material.
This is helpful! I have a few non binary characters (a human and a few dragons) and I want to make sure I deal with the dragon ones in a way that makes sense to the story without falling into the non-human stereotype.
The thing about dragons in this world is that they're born from powerful natural disasters, live functionally immortal lives, and don't really grow up with parents or societal norms in the way that humans do. They often interact with other dragons and share customs and traditions that they have when greeting each other, but they don't really have a "society" to tell them what to do. Because they don't reproduce biologically, aren't born with any sort of biological sex, and don't have any term of romance-type partnership in their culture, they fundamentally aren't cis or straight by nature. On one hand, I think it's kind of cool to have the pressure of society gone for some of the really wise dragon characters who have themselves all figured out, but I also don't want it to seem too isolated or out of touch with the struggles of humankind.
Right now I have a major character in development (wizard of great power) who is heterosexual but with some bisexual interests. One of his fundamental characteristics is curiosity and the role that plays in is sexuality and related choices. I'd like to do something where he is in an internal struggle as to whether it is a product of curiosity/desire to know or actual orientation (or both). I am also interested in asexuality since I am pretty certain that's me (and thus I'd feel more comfortable speaking to how it feels, evolves over ones lifetime - like being a married asexual, also me). Eventually, I'd like to expand into other areas, but only if I am confident I could do it right.
Sensuality is really fluid, can change over time, and a lot of people don't realize their sensuality until later in life. It doesn't help that sex and sensuality are two totally different things, and you can 100% enjoy having sex with someone you're not attracted to (this was the monkey wrench in my journey to realizing I was aroace).
I think it'd be interesting to see that journey played out in a fantasy setting. Just be careful with the bisexuality, since it gets belittled/erased/stereotyped in the real world as "just a kink" or "you're confused." Having another character who IS bisexual and totally confident in it will help offset that.
I write a setting with no homophobia. Characters aren't even really sure what "gay" means, when compared to our modern world. It's just the way they are. On the very rare occasions they encounter prejudice, they find it confusing.
Bit more complex with trans issues. On the one hand, they don't have modern technology, so the transition options we know just aren't there. I interpret that as meaning most characters are just oblivious, lacking the vocabulary to frame an idea that their technology doesn't permit anyway. On the other hand, there's magic. So solutions we don't have exist for them. I've not explored it more than that on the page as yet.
Im trans and I’ve always wanted to write a queer character in a book but i wanted to learn how to write one better and this really helped! thank you :)
This is very new and useful information. I have read many fantasy books in English that have been published in US and UK but never knew all of this. I usually buy main stream books but never even heard about the characters having to clarify their pronouns. Is this something very new or only in Western fantasy books? I can see that the USA or western societies do this irl, but is that usual for published fantasy books or is it a preference that is requested by LGBTQI+ communities to include in future books?
Hi Qi Ne!
The greeting with the pronouns thing is pretty new in the US in real life, but it's becoming more and more mainstream as people become more aware of the nuances of gender.
As I said in the video, doing a whole essay on pronouns and gender identity for a character is not at all required and writers shouldn't feel pressured to do it--Rick Riordan toed this line a little when he introduced Alex in the second Magnus Chase book. She had at least three conversations with people explaining her gender identity and pronouns, and at least two of them were completely unnecessary, in my opinion. She got a lot better in book three.
Queer communities just want to see good representation in media. If a character's identity is particularly complex--such as a genderfluid character--then a conversation in the book might be required to clear things up. But that's about all we ask.
@@CMAlongi thank you so much!!
I hope some of these advices work in the horror genre
Wait. I am confused. Mind helping me understand: One can be cishet and queer?
...sorta?
It's usually one or the other. However, every now and then you get someone who is a blend of the two. Let's say someone is aromantic, which is a queer identity. But they're cis and also sexually attracted (though not romantically attracted) to the opposite gender. That would technically make them cishet as well.
The thing with labels is they don't fit everybody. They just help communicate broad ideas. But if you want to get more detailed and intricate, they fall flat.
Generally speaking, if you're cishet, you're not queer. Queer, by definition, means "not cishet."
@@CMAlongi Okay. Thanks for the clarification.
Personally, I don't care for labels; but, I understand the importance of identity contributing to self-worth. I just rather replace identity with character.
I've introduced a queer couple in my WIP, but one dies and the other migrates with some other characters to another manuscript. She (and actually they both) play a vital role in their respective stories since as pilots, they fly everyone around-or one did. With the partner's death, that's just the world or the plot. Even the MC's love interest and a colleague are killed.
I'd love to share in detail the intro of my queer couple, as I've also illustrated them for one of those memorable photos couples share, you know? But when I come across topics like this, it makes think to check if I am doing things rights (even 8.75, 9 out of 10 times, I am. 🙂 I'm a confident bastard, btw. 😂)
By the way, I liked the lesbian character in 'Jurassic World Dominion' (sympathetic, strong but flawed and a redemption arch) but you felt they were queerbaiting when it came to the dithering, unimpressive badguy, Dodson. What do you think?
Haven't seen it, so cannot form an opinion
if your going to include a pansexual include a scene where they're like IM NOT FING BI
Good....good....more of these please........I have a few LGBTQ characters in my world and struggling with this one. I have loads of races that are non-binary and creatures that can switch gender, and Genderfluid/Trans can change to thier opposite sex, gay and lesbian is around somewhere. My MC did run into multi coloured genderless Orcs who work in shoe-shops. I am glad you added this, because I am finding it difficult to the right thing and so far, I am on track. A few of my friends are happy with it, as long as I get it right and look after the characters.
Yes....Terrellium is full of all sorts and another thing I didn't expect to happen, but did. As they are my second big group following, I certainly need to be careful with this one.
Just make sure you add at least one HUMAN nonbinary character. Most SFF writers who include enby folks make them non-human, which sends the message that being non-binary is inhuman.
Happy writing!
@@CMAlongi It's okay, everyone can transform, not just them. I already checked this out with the community and they love the idea. They said the same as you, ''make sure you show other people change form''. There are no humans on my.world. Thanks to the high gravity extreme tempratures, and atmospheric elements, there are just very unusual looking beings/humanoids that can shift form at all.
Hoover
trump2024 enough of this sh*t