characters
Queer Female Characters We Lost in 2016
Lesbians and bisexual women live dangerous lives – especially if they’re on TV. Producers and writers are famously keen to kill off lesbian characters, meaning their romances rarely meet a happy end. So much so it’s turned into an actual, recurring TV trope. This year has been no exception and, in true 2016 style, has brought us some of the most dramatic, but also often useless, deaths of our favorite lesbian characters. Sadly, there are too many to count, but here are 28 (fictional) women we lost this year: 1 Poussey Washington – Orange is the New Black Cause of … Read more
For Readers: You’re Talking Too Much
FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Alicia Nordwell: “Is there such a thing as too much dialogue?” What do you think? Do you like your stories dialogue heavy? Or are you happier when characters never say a word to each other? (You know that’s porn, right?) ;) Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks! Join the chat
Entertainment: “Overwatch” Videogame Reveals First LGBT Character of Many
The first LGBT+ character has been revealed in Overwatch after the game’s makers said earlier this year that there are “multiple” such characters in the game. In an official comic released ahead of Christmas, the makers of Overwatch said earlier this year that there were several LGBT characters, stopping short of revealing which characters were LGBT. The lead writer for the game, Michael Chu back in November confirmed that in an upcoming update characters will be revealed as LGBT. And now the comic reveals that Tracer is the first LGBT+ character. By Joseph Patrick McCormick – Full Story at Pink News
For Writers: My Favorite Characters
FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Ryane Chatman: “Authors, do you have a favorite character type?” Maybe it’s the shy in RL and wild in the sheets lesbian librarian? Maybe the guy who “looks” like a top but is really a bottom? How about the ace woman who doesn’t give a shit what other people think? Or the guy (or girl or gender nonconforming character) who’s just a little oddball and off center? Join the chat
For Writers: Writing Well Rounded Queer Characters
FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Denise Dechene: “Not really a question but LGBTQI+ encompasses a wide range of sexual identities. Reading gives us some of them but what about a day or days identifying them and explaining and discussing ways to incorporate them into books.” If you were to write about a gender or sexuality other than your own and you wanted the character to be well-rounded and respectful of X-person’s experience, where and how would you gather information? Share your favorite sources of information and methods for getting into your characters’ heads when they are not … Read more
FOR WRITERS: Writing Good Lesbian Characters
FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Denise Dechene: “Not really a question but LGBTQI+ encompasses a wide range of sexual identities. Reading gives us some of them but what about a day or days identifying them and explaining and discussing ways to incorporate them into books?” OK, so lets kick this off. We’ll devote a day each over the next few months talking about writing different types of characters across the LGBTIQA spectrum. Given that each of us is human, there’s no one “right” way to write a lesbian character. But maybe we can tackle this from a … Read more
For Writers: Real Diversity
FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Lex Chase: With the call for diversity in fiction, what about lead characters who are not alpha male badasses? What about an effeminate hero? Or the handsome heroine? Or other character types that never strike us as typically “strong jawed and can obviously save the day?” Join the chat
For Readers: I Liked the Other Guy Better
FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer HankT. Cannon: What types of ancillary characters will keep you reading a book even though you dislike the main character? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks! Join the chat
For Writers: Writing Non Binary
FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer John Allenson: John suggested that we talk about writing non binary characters. So often in fiction, we’re stuck on the idea that characters are either male or female – that they fit into society’s traditional gender worldview. Even with transgender characters, there’s often an expectation that they are “really” one or another – male or female – and are on a journey to physically become their real gender. But that leaves out a whole bunch of people, including folks who are intersex, transgender people who do not fully transition, and gender fluid … Read more