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Post by luciusstorm on Nov 6, 2024 12:19:10 GMT
queenofmyownfantasy, that's funny I'm in a very similar place with my story, except my main character is a young woman. What gets me is it was entirely unplanned. The story just developed that way. I guess that says something about me. 
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Post by queenofmyownfantasy on Nov 6, 2024 12:47:40 GMT
Yeah, for me too, it just seemed right, I even reconsidered doing it because I was like "gays have an even gayer child? How stereotypical" but...It just seemed too right!
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Post by luciusstorm on Nov 6, 2024 16:34:46 GMT
So, you're probably going to see some more social commentary in my future stories, assuming there are any. If you have a problem with that... I no longer care.
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Post by arieltriffic on Nov 7, 2024 11:28:17 GMT
In a discussion elsewhere I realized how some people could consider my current sims fam incredibly " woke " (I hate that word, it until ever gets used by bigoted people ridiculing it anymore) My current main character is a genderqueer, gay amab person raised by two women, lesbian an bisexual respectively, in a interracial relationship with someone who had to flee from home due to their sexuality. Because I am very progressive all that seems quite normal to me, though I definitely considered some people could be like "well of course HE is not a ReAl MaN! Never had a proper male role model!" but it could definitely put some people off, though those people aren't worth it tbh. I think you're being a bit judgmental here. Everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to fiction. Sometimes it's great to read fiction that challenges how you view the world. It forces you to take a look at your beliefs again, either to refine or reject them. Sometimes people just do not want to read about certain topics - that does not make them bigots. It makes them human beings. When it comes to matters like sexuality, it's highly personal. It's bound up in deep soul issues, societal issues, relationship issues, and moral issues. It's a heavy, heavy subject. EDIT: I hope I have not caused offense here (not my intention), but I think readers need to develop as people at their own pace. Example: I once had to read "Heart of Darkness" for class. No one had prepared me for it and I found it so shocking, I could not finish it. Conrad's depictions of the Africans seemed so cruel. My classmates tried to point out that Conrad's thesis was that the English were just as "savage" as the indigenous people, but I could not hear them. My walls had already gone up. I think each reader has a right to say "when" or "that's enough" at any time. This is especially true for challenging topics. EDIT 2: I forgot to add, no one should coerce you to change your story. That's yours, you can (and should) do as you please. Another thing readers are free to do is agree or disagree with an author's choices. This is natural. I think the world would be extremely boring if everyone thought alike. |
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Post by queenofmyownfantasy on Nov 7, 2024 14:23:05 GMT
... Are you comparing a non-cishet main character to being as challenging to read as hardcore racism? What I meant is: if people won't even touch something with a non-cishet main character (which they just happen to be; it's not the hardcore main focus of the story), because of that as a reason, yeah, euhm - I will judge, because it is saying "I do not want to be confronted with the existence of gender nonconforming people". I have readers who struggle with gender neutral pronouns, I have readers who struggle understanding my MC's gender identity, as I am cis af myself I have to do a lot of research for it myself, but they (and I) still try because it is positive inclusivity, not something as vile as calling indigenous people savages. They're completely different matters. One is not wanting to read something you're not used to but is harmless, the other is not wanting to read something that is a vile remnant of problematic and harmful history.
edit: If you're talking about queer people's oppression being too heavy to read, so the comparison is about different types of mistreatment and oppression, than, yeah, more apt comparison - even though I personally am on the 'well shit, life isn't rainbow and sunshine' side. But I only just try to represent/show non-cishet people and your reply also implies that it is there mere existence in a story that can be too hard on people, not even going into queer people getting mistreated and oppressed.
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Post by EvilBnuuy on Nov 7, 2024 15:36:56 GMT
So, you're probably going to see some more social commentary in my future stories, assuming there are any. If you have a problem with that... I no longer care. I'm glad we managed to help you out, have fun with it! |
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Post by luciusstorm on Nov 7, 2024 16:17:03 GMT
So, you're probably going to see some more social commentary in my future stories, assuming there are any. If you have a problem with that... I no longer care. I'm glad we managed to help you out, have fun with it! Fun will be had. I'm already working on my next story and... well, you'll see. Also, no reason to stop the great discussion here. |
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Post by arieltriffic on Nov 7, 2024 18:24:39 GMT
... Are you comparing a non-cishet main character to being as challenging to read as hardcore racism? What I meant is: if people won't even touch something with a non-cishet main character (which they just happen to be; it's not the hardcore main focus of the story), because of that as a reason, yeah, euhm - I will judge, because it is saying "I do not want to be confronted with the existence of gender nonconforming people". I have readers who struggle with gender neutral pronouns, I have readers who struggle understanding my MC's gender identity, as I am cis af myself I have to do a lot of research for it myself, but they (and I) still try because it is positive inclusivity, not something as vile as calling indigenous people savages. They're completely different matters. One is not wanting to read something you're not used to but is harmless, the other is not wanting to read something that is a vile remnant of problematic and harmful history.
edit: If you're talking about queer people's oppression being too heavy to read, so the comparison is about different types of mistreatment and oppression, than, yeah, more apt comparison - even though I personally am on the 'well shit, life isn't rainbow and sunshine' side. But I only just try to represent/show non-cishet people and your reply also implies that it is there mere existence in a story that can be too hard on people, not even going into queer people getting mistreated and oppressed.
Yes definitely to the second part, the first part, not really. I do not think that pronouns are any where near the same as racism. Anyway, I have probably steered things too far into politics. Sorry for that! This is how political discussions feel to me: One person says the sky is blue, the other says that it's gray. Instead of finding middle ground, they fight. |
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Post by luciusstorm on Nov 7, 2024 18:42:52 GMT
Anyway, I have probably steered things too far into politics. Sorry for that! This is how political discussions feel to me: One person says the sky is blue, the other says that it's gray. Instead of finding middle ground, they fight. First, I'm going to remind everyone of The Rule - Treat Others with Respect (No, I don't think either arieltriffic or queenofmyownfantasy has broken that rule... I just think we're getting into that thorny area. Also, I'm about to brush up against that rule really, really hard.) Second, arieltriffic, I almost envy you the simplicity of your life. In my world, "political" discussions are: One person says, 'I want to be treated like a human being worthy of dignity and respect' and the other says 'Die, freak!' ... and then people's lives are in danger and maybe someone dies. I wish I was being hyperbolic, but I know too many people in honest fear for their lives today. Honestly, I prefer my political discussions to be more of the 'blue/grey/let's find a middle ground' variety. I miss those days. |
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Post by arieltriffic on Nov 7, 2024 19:05:56 GMT
First, I'm going to remind everyone of The Rule - Treat Others with Respect (No, I don't think either arieltriffic or queenofmyownfantasy has broken that rule... I just think we're getting into that thorny area. Also, I'm about to brush up against that rule really, really hard.) Second, arieltriffic , I almost envy you the simplicity of your life. In my world, "political" discussions are: One person says, 'I want to be treated like a human being worthy of dignity and respect' and the other says 'Die, freak!' ... and then people's lives are in danger and maybe someone dies. I wish I was being hyperbolic, but I know too many people in honest fear for their lives today. Honestly, I prefer my political discussions to be more of the 'blue/grey/let's find a middle ground' variety. I miss those days. I never meant anyone disrespect. These discussions are challenging, but good. I think I learn a lot from the other people here. And I appreciate the different perspectives. That is so sad that people are in danger of their lives where you live. I live in a small town. People here frequently just agree to disagree. Is this strictly a USA phenomenon, where the gap between people seems so wide right now that it just can't be bridged? I can relate to feeling like a freak. I'm used to being the odd one out at school because I ask too many questions and I don't always just think what I'm told to think. It feels very lonely at times. And there are times when I don't feel like I fit in anywhere - not even with my own family. |
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Post by luciusstorm on Nov 7, 2024 19:51:17 GMT
arieltriffic, I don't know that it's an exclusively US thing. I have a complex theory about it, but I will spare you. I'll just say that, as a student of history, I believe the world is going through a period of transition and that it always difficult, always challenging and often violent. Speaking as someone who has never fit in, always asks questions and can't be told what to think without at least, well, thinking about it... welcome to the club. We pretty much just nod knowing at each other. Let your freak-flag fly!
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