"To write more you need to read more," but what do I read?

[oudeteron]

Or rather, a better question is what do I want to read

Comments

[mustntgetmy]

Okay, so this is a difficult question to answer, as you no doubt know. I agree that it's ridiculous and way past due that every single gender and sexual identity isn't given space in fiction (or, you know, in RL) to live beyond their label, or at least beyond a cis/heteronormative person's introduction to what ~being trans is all about. I actually think about this a lot with my own writing and I try hard to write across the spectrum, but I know I fall short. The sad truth is something I think you already know: YOU are going to have to write those stories that you want to read. You are going to have to be the trailblazer. Which sucks because this should have already been done for you. It's 20fucking16. Now in terms of writing for a mainstream audience? I don't know how that's going to work. I'm just about as jaded as you there. However, I also believe the whole "the moral arc of the universe is long and bends towards truth" bit, so I think that - worst case scenario - if you were to only ever get your writing published by a smaller

[mustntgetmy]

Okay, so this is a difficult question to answer, as you no doubt know. I agree that it's ridiculous and way past due that every single gender and sexual identity isn't given space in fiction (or, you know, in RL) to live beyond their label, or at least beyond a cis/heteronormative person's introduction to what ~being trans is all about. I actually think about this a lot with my own writing and I try hard to write across the spectrum, but I know I fall short. The sad truth is something I think you already know: YOU are going to have to write those stories that you want to read. You are going to have to be the trailblazer. Which sucks because this should have already been done for you. It's 20fucking16. Now in terms of writing for a mainstream audience? I don't know how that's going to work. I'm just about as jaded as you there. However, I also believe the whole "the moral arc of the universe is long and bends towards truth" bit, so I think that - worst case scenario - if you were to only ever get your writing published by a smaller

[oudeteron]

Seriously, you're thinking about it, so you're doing better than 90% of people already. In a lot of ways I wish people were thinking about it less - it's like everyone wants to justify why they're writing a character as trans and it's like, honestly, who gives a shit. No one's ever felt the need to justify all the cis assumptions. I suppose this is one way the whole diversity awareness mindset (while useful in a lot of ways, obviously) might sometimes hold even the well-meaning people back because they think they haven't done enough due diligence. And then, to show that they did expose themselves to something, they plop in the stupid "born in the wrong body" trope and it's worse rather than better.

Anyway, I'd totally trust you to write a trans character and there's really not that much to it. Just give them individuality which is the #1 rule of writing anything, right

[mustntgetmy]

Yeah, I really hope we get to the point where no one has to stop and consider whether or not to make a character trans or not. That said, for me, I do feel like I have to be more conscious and write characters outside my limited realm of experience because if I don’t I’ll be lazy and I’ll end up just writing all white/white-passing cis heteronormative people

[oudeteron]

Very late reply, but I just want to say I really appreciate how much time you took to answer this in such detail! I kept not having time to answer "properly" but in the end it's worse not to answer at all, so here I am answering at least a little. Thanks for all these recs, and serious kudos to you for being able to recall them just like that on being prompted.

Of these I've only read Tipping the Velvet, Orlando, and actually two other books by Jeanette Winterson but I could always do with more of those. The rest are new to me, so thanks again

[shalandagannoe]

I think I'll write some trans fiction, since I stumbled in here and found a friend in need. Give me some time. Maybe suggest some clever rules/restrictions? I'm feeling hot about this already!