I'm so happy to see this post and even happier to see it cross-posted here on Kate's stack. As you might imagine, Troy, I've thought a lot about this subject and done a fair amount of hand-wringing about whether I've done an adequate job of fully realizing the LGBTQ+ characters in "The Memory of My Shadow" and "Harmony House." As a cis, straight white man I'm constantly trying to balance representation of all people in my writing with cultural appropriation. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt anyone or make them feel inconsequential.
For me, having a trans daughter changed many things, but most importantly, it's helped me to understand how important it is for queer people just to be seen and not completely ignored in the world. So, I've erred on the side of potentially getting it wrong sometimes in my fiction in service of being inclusive and expanding my palette of creative choices. You can paint so much more when you include all the colors. Thanks for writing this, and thanks for being such a generous reader and supporter of my work.
I've had similar feelings about wanting to try different perspectives and show different kinds of people, specifically in the LGBTQ+ umbrella and then yes, you don't want to do it the wrong way or make mistakes. Agree that it's still worth going for it as long as it comes from good intentions. I love the conclusions that Troy comes to about the value and encouragement of sharing in a common humanity. It's some kind of balance between commonality and visibility of individuals.
I do know how you feel, Ben, I also have a trans character in a story and it features a moment that a "How to Write Trans Characters" guide said NOT to do, but I did it anyway, though in a different way than they had cautioned against, and I've fretted about whether it is wrong, and whether I should run it by a sensitivity reader, and ultimately, I just decided it was drawn from life and meant to be a pan-queer story so I'm just going to let it stand and let people have their reaction. And that's all we can do really - and you've done it beautifully in Harmony House and The Memory of My Shadow both, so we learn and we grow and people are welcome to sit down and have a conversation at our table. Thanks, brother!
Brilliant post 👏 thank you, Kate, for sharing Troy's insights here. Although I don't write fiction, I have engaged in much reading around these topics due to a personal connection in the past couple of years. I have been a lifelong fan of Tales of the City which are proudly displayed on my bookshelves! When I first discovered them in the early 90s, I found them enlightening! I also love The Hours. I would also point to some fantastic young adult fiction, particularly that of Alice Oseman. Loveless is particularly good.
Kate, I’m looking for some KS3 books to add to the curriculum right now! I’ll have to pick your brain. (Possibly for reading circles / extension material.) your comment reinforces my thought that bringing students in conversation with many voices gives them access to understanding others and themselves. Thank you.
I’ve yet to read Tales of the City. Now that you’ve both recommended it, I must do it soon.
Wonderful, Troy. This is an excellent resource of information and made me stop a few times to think and reflect on how I'd approach things. I won't lie, I've wanted to explore characters of diverse sexual orientations but have felt the trepidation of worry around "how dare you write from this POV when you're a straight white male..."
This all helps and reassures.
Also, I have to say, I really like the word demisexual.
I love the whole concept of layering queerness. It's not just the simple introduction of a queer character but the deep character development that brings them to life in all their humanity and all their identity.
Thanks for the comment, Annette! I agree - I really like the approach Troy takes. And by defining so many terms, I think rather than limit or reduce identity he asks us to consider the puzzle pieces or ourselves and our characters as part of discovering humanity in fiction.
Not gonna lie, I laughed at the notion that I should let my straight characters maybe live to the end of the book. All joking aside, I have struggled many times to feel that I am doing any justice whatsoever to straight characters when I include them in my work. I know I'm the 1% saying that, but the guidance provided here is just as valuable to me as it is to someone who has never written a queer character.
Honestly, what a trove, this is so generous and such a brilliant reference (and one full of brilliant references). Also, serialised, Substack etc. totally aside, Lamb is truly one of my favourite pieces of fiction ever. MTF has a supernatural ability to create characters of depth.
I am no fan of labels, I don't use them, I think labeling is bad. Everyone has a right to be who they are or want to be, sadly we're far from that point, which makes it all the more important to write and ask yourself: "Have I given my characters a true and authentic humanity within the context of the story? If you can say “yes” than you are doing the work you are called to do."
It’s so true—you should 100% just strive to let your characters be human. Show those flaws and the ugliness, all of it, and represent an aspect of the human experience your readers can relate to or learn of!
Thanks for this thoughtful essay. There is such glorious diversity in the world. Why not celebrate that in our stories?
Exactly so, Julie, thanks! I remember a sign I saw at a pride parade once: "Difference enriches us all" - it's stuck with me for many years. :)
Agree, that's a wonderful way to look at it. Thanks Julie!
I'm so happy to see this post and even happier to see it cross-posted here on Kate's stack. As you might imagine, Troy, I've thought a lot about this subject and done a fair amount of hand-wringing about whether I've done an adequate job of fully realizing the LGBTQ+ characters in "The Memory of My Shadow" and "Harmony House." As a cis, straight white man I'm constantly trying to balance representation of all people in my writing with cultural appropriation. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt anyone or make them feel inconsequential.
For me, having a trans daughter changed many things, but most importantly, it's helped me to understand how important it is for queer people just to be seen and not completely ignored in the world. So, I've erred on the side of potentially getting it wrong sometimes in my fiction in service of being inclusive and expanding my palette of creative choices. You can paint so much more when you include all the colors. Thanks for writing this, and thanks for being such a generous reader and supporter of my work.
Thanks for such a lovely reflection, Ben!
I've had similar feelings about wanting to try different perspectives and show different kinds of people, specifically in the LGBTQ+ umbrella and then yes, you don't want to do it the wrong way or make mistakes. Agree that it's still worth going for it as long as it comes from good intentions. I love the conclusions that Troy comes to about the value and encouragement of sharing in a common humanity. It's some kind of balance between commonality and visibility of individuals.
Your daughter is lucky to have you as her dad!
Thanks Kate, but I’m the one who’s lucky to have her in my life.
I do know how you feel, Ben, I also have a trans character in a story and it features a moment that a "How to Write Trans Characters" guide said NOT to do, but I did it anyway, though in a different way than they had cautioned against, and I've fretted about whether it is wrong, and whether I should run it by a sensitivity reader, and ultimately, I just decided it was drawn from life and meant to be a pan-queer story so I'm just going to let it stand and let people have their reaction. And that's all we can do really - and you've done it beautifully in Harmony House and The Memory of My Shadow both, so we learn and we grow and people are welcome to sit down and have a conversation at our table. Thanks, brother!
Brilliant post 👏 thank you, Kate, for sharing Troy's insights here. Although I don't write fiction, I have engaged in much reading around these topics due to a personal connection in the past couple of years. I have been a lifelong fan of Tales of the City which are proudly displayed on my bookshelves! When I first discovered them in the early 90s, I found them enlightening! I also love The Hours. I would also point to some fantastic young adult fiction, particularly that of Alice Oseman. Loveless is particularly good.
I'm adding Loveless to my TBR pile - thanks Kate!
😀
Kate, I’m looking for some KS3 books to add to the curriculum right now! I’ll have to pick your brain. (Possibly for reading circles / extension material.) your comment reinforces my thought that bringing students in conversation with many voices gives them access to understanding others and themselves. Thank you.
I’ve yet to read Tales of the City. Now that you’ve both recommended it, I must do it soon.
Thanks so much for the great comment!
Ooh, yes! I have a great resource for contemporary young adult fiction at home! 😉 hit me up. As for Tales: the books are a real trip!
Wonderful, Troy. This is an excellent resource of information and made me stop a few times to think and reflect on how I'd approach things. I won't lie, I've wanted to explore characters of diverse sexual orientations but have felt the trepidation of worry around "how dare you write from this POV when you're a straight white male..."
This all helps and reassures.
Also, I have to say, I really like the word demisexual.
Let's all be brave together and write what's in our hearts. :) Thanks Nathan!
I definitely learned a few words here!
☺️💜
I love the whole concept of layering queerness. It's not just the simple introduction of a queer character but the deep character development that brings them to life in all their humanity and all their identity.
Thanks Annette! Exactly what I was going for - every character needs to be changing the story, not just standing around as window dressing.
When a straight writer tells me they have a queer character (seeking my approval) my first question is always, “why?”
Thanks for the comment, Annette! I agree - I really like the approach Troy takes. And by defining so many terms, I think rather than limit or reduce identity he asks us to consider the puzzle pieces or ourselves and our characters as part of discovering humanity in fiction.
Well said!
Not gonna lie, I laughed at the notion that I should let my straight characters maybe live to the end of the book. All joking aside, I have struggled many times to feel that I am doing any justice whatsoever to straight characters when I include them in my work. I know I'm the 1% saying that, but the guidance provided here is just as valuable to me as it is to someone who has never written a queer character.
Love this response, Robin! Thanks for joining us here. Welcome.
Thank you so much Robin - a sense of humor is always helpful when we're puttin in our best efforts... ;) 💜
Honestly, what a trove, this is so generous and such a brilliant reference (and one full of brilliant references). Also, serialised, Substack etc. totally aside, Lamb is truly one of my favourite pieces of fiction ever. MTF has a supernatural ability to create characters of depth.
OMG thank you Chloe! I'm speechless, for once... 😘🥲💛
I am no fan of labels, I don't use them, I think labeling is bad. Everyone has a right to be who they are or want to be, sadly we're far from that point, which makes it all the more important to write and ask yourself: "Have I given my characters a true and authentic humanity within the context of the story? If you can say “yes” than you are doing the work you are called to do."
That's it in a nutshell, I think. Thanks A!
Excellent. For fiction especially, alternative perspectives can only enhance a story. We're right at the start
Thanks Richard - quite right - a wonderful time to let art lead the way for life.
Thanks Richard! Agree - and I love the way Troy sets us up to take risk and explore these perspectives.
It’s so true—you should 100% just strive to let your characters be human. Show those flaws and the ugliness, all of it, and represent an aspect of the human experience your readers can relate to or learn of!
Thanks Bethel - exactly what I was aiming for :)
So many ways to be human! Thanks for reading, Bethel ☺️