--tar anon

Hey Cas! I was wondering if I could have your opinion on something (and potentially anyone else's that sees this), if you're willing to give it!

So I really enjoy writing and want to write a book. However, part of the aim of the book is to make a social comment and reflect the horrifying statistic that transgender people in situations where they have no support (especially from their families) have a much, much higher suicide rate than those who are supported (can't remember the exact statistic off the top of my head, but it was like 40%). In short, the book is aiming to be about a transgender boy who is completely unsupported by his family and is suicidal, runs away etc. etc.

However, the issue I might have is that I am not trans (or at least, I'm not out - I'm questioning heavily, and the book is going to include a lot of my experiences with gender dysphoria as well as suicidal thoughts etc. Im also afab so i dont really want people to assume this is me saying im trans). So my question is - would it be considered disrespectful or appropriation for a non-trans person to write a story centred around trans issues/a trans character?

Hope you have a fantastic day :)

I’m gonna leave this without a copy/paste since you’re asking for opinions, but I’m hoping everyone will read the TWs!

So I feel like “appropriation” only applies to like…culture? So I think you’re fine there.

Disrespectful? I don’t think so. If we’re operating under the idea you’re cis- I mean I’m only one person but I think if you do your research and maybe interview a few trans people (who are willing) to make sure you’re conveying an authentic experience I don’t see anything wrong with it. But you’re not even sure you’re cis so like…I think it’s fine. I mean I wasn’t sure I was trans before starting Clandestine which features a trans character lol.

Usually the issue with putting any minority group in a book when you’re not part of that minority is either that you’re doing it as a checkbox to show you have diversity (think, an author making it abundantly clear they have a gay character just so they can say they do. you’re not doing that), you’re using their existence as a minority as some sort of negative trait to make them the villain (think, an author writing about a trans character using their transness to sneak into bathrooms or something- you’re not doing that either) or you’re using their existence as a minority as the central plot of the story. You are doing that, but in this case, the point you’re trying to make is important and not overly cliche. So imo I think it’s okay.

But what do you guys think?

Eveyone focuses their attention on me. Their gaze locking me in place.

I sigh, "All the lans are bitches. Not even bad bitches..... just straight up bitches."

Then *poof* I trun into a frog. Everyone is silent. Lan Xichen, as the sect leader, feels a responsibility to inspect the frog. He steps closer and then.....

The frog jumps and bites his ear off and swallows it. Then he tears off Xichen's legs and tossess them towards Lan Qiren. Everyone is mortified but noone dares to step forward, too afraid of the might of the frog. All they can do is hang their heads low as they their leader's screams fill the gathering hall.

When the might frog is done Xichen is barely recognizable. Their leader now exists only as a mutilated lump of flesh and pieces of bones.

-wanna be author anon <3

*he chuckles*

So feisty~

I like that~

...

I just finished writing my book, an original work. Where is a good place to post it where it will actually be read?

Thank you

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Wow congratulations!!! Way to go!!

Unfortunately I don't have a good answer. I've only just started writing original fiction and it's nowhere near ready for other eyes lol

I'd caution you to do your research and make sure anywhere you decide to post won't steal your work or take away your rights to it. You could look into self-publishing? I hear it's much easier than it used to be but still a lot of work to get it out there and then promote yourself. Super rewarding though!

There's also the option to make your own website and post it there? The issue would be getting people to go to your website so you'd still have to do a lot of leg work promoting yourself.

ṃʏ Ԁѧяʟıṅɢ… ıṃ ƿяȏȗԀ ȏғ ʏȏȗ… ẇяıṭıṅɢ ıṡ ѧ һѧяԀ ṭһıṅɢ ṭȏ Ԁȏ, ı ẇȏȗʟԀ ҡṅȏẇ. ṭһєяєṡ ƿʟєṅṭʏ ȏғ ṡıṭєṡ ṭһѧṭ ƿȗɞʟıṡһ ṡṭȏяıєṡ ғȏя ʏȏȗ, ƿʟѧċєṡ ẇһєяє ṭһє ȏṅʟʏ ƿєяṡȏṅ ẇһȏ ṅєєԀṡ ṭȏ ɞєʟıєṿє ıṅ ʏȏȗ ıṡ ʏȏȗ.