r/QueerWriting

To preface this, I am a STRAIGHT CISGENDER MAN, however I like to interact and view a lot of queer spaces. But I’m facing a WRITING problem at the moment so I want to get some advice from some transgender people.

So im making a character driven story about a bunch of washed up/struggling celebrities in a rehab type center. Each character has their own artist’s struggle to work through with the protagonist. And the character that I am struggling with at the moment is a trans man named Jimmy. Jimmys whole deal is that he used to be a child actor in a sitcom acting asthe “dumb blonde” archetype (this was before he transitioned). However Jimmy was quite unhappy with his role, often getting made fun of and even sexualized off stage. So eventually he ran from his parents and the sitcom in search of new purpose. But even though he left and became Jimmy, the familiar laughing track quite literally surrounds him every second, unable to escape his role and past, forcing him to constantly be on the run, wearing baggy, body hiding clothes, in pursuit of finding a new role, as a musician.

Jimmy’s character is supposed to be an allegory for a very parasocial relationship with his audience. But I figured that a story about finding yourself and changing from your society given role would really work with a trans character. But, like I said I’m no expert on this, I think having some input from people who would understand this would REALLY help my story and Jimmy.

(P.S. Sorry if the pronouns I use for Jimmy are confusing when I talk about his past, he transitions shortly after running away.)

Ive published multiple non fiction books with prominent publishers, all well received. Im just finishing a 90k-word novel (a thriller with a gay protagonist) and would welcome advice as to any good gay publishing houses. All publishers say they welcome gay authors but my sense is that they may say that but...you know.

first time on here! So, I’m writing a novel, where the MC is a woman who found out she’s bi as a teenager and had to sadly leave her home because her parents are not accepting and she was not welcomed anymore. Years later she finds her own friend group and settles into her life again (I’m not going to explain the plot of the book because I feel like it’s irrelevant and would take too long.)

Anyways, my main plan was for her to come together with her love interest, who’s a guy. but after a bit of thinking about it, I feel like, as a reader I would feel disappointed to see how hard she fought to finally become free of her homophobic parents and accept herself how she is, just to not even properly date women (maybe a few situationships here and there) and end up with a guy.
I know dating men doesn’t make you straight as a bisexual and same goes for when she would date a girl, she wouldn’t be a lesbian.

I just don’t want it to feel like “oh yeah, she thought she was bisexual, but then met the right guy and realized she wasn’t” that’s really not the message I want.

so, do you feel like it would come off that way or are there no issues with it whatsoever?

Hello there, I'm Zac. This is my second time here.

I previously asked about advice for writing my Trans Character Aaron Miles, thank you to u/Laura_Sandra for help with that.

I am here to ask for advice on an intended character growth moment for Aaron. During this point in the story, every character ends up having to do the whole training to get stronger, but the major point is that they all have to accept that they are unable to change the past.

This is where I’m iffy, a direct quote from Honovi(MC’s grandmother/the mentor figure) is “Listen, You can’t change that Juliet used to exist, as much as I can't change Sammy’s death. We can only keep moving, Stop being hung up on what Juliet discovered, it’s yours now. My eyes are shot but I don’t see a girl in front of me, I see Ultra-Violet.”

I’m iffy on Honovi using his Deadname but have been told that it's written well enough to send the point of them not being the same person.

(P.S: Juliet is Aaron’s deadname. His hero name is Ultra-Violet. He was holding back a major facet of his powers because he discovered it pre-transition)

All advice welcome and if you’d like any extra info on Aaron, please ask me.