I am part of the lgbtqia community!
Ok then. You are allowed to talk about this topic. But I still agree with Software about not writing about topics like racism. I think you need to choose a different idea. Your story doesn’t sound like it fits Double Life.
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Okay! I do think it’s my place to talk about homophobia, though. I have firsthand experienced it and I do believe I have every right to write about it. I know I’m not going to win or anything. I was having trouble thinking of a good idea. I have decided racism will not be an aspect in the story, though. Wether or not I end up submitting it to the DL contest, I am probably still going to write the story (without the racism ofc) because I think it’s a decent idea. I’m likely going to submit it to the contest, even though I know I have no chance of winning. Thanks for your opinion!
Okay. I won’t be having the racism. I will defo be making some major changes. Also, I’m really really sorry because I definitely misspoke. When I said “interesting” all I meant was that it would be informative and that it might help more people understand it more. Racism is not interesting and I am well aware of that so I do apologize for that.
The story is NOT mostly about racism or homophobia. The main idea in the story is the DL part of it and the fact that she is not confident and uncomfortable in her skin. With the homophobia, I am using it to tell my own story, and spread the word that it is something that happens. With the racism, I am not going to have that in the story anymore. I wanted to hopefully be a bit informative if I added it in. It is not my story to tell, though, so I will not be telling it.
I’m really sorry. I misspoke when I said that. What I meant by interesting was informative. It was my hope to spread the word about what happens in this world. I truly am sorry for using that word. I shouldn’t have and have now edited that post.
I will no longer be having the racism in the story. I apologize for pushing back on it. I know this is a very sensitive subject and I should’ve treated it more carefully, so I am very sorry about that. I shouldn’t have pushed back considering I am white and have no idea what you experience.
Okay. Thank you so much for telling me. I didn’t mean at all to have a white savior complex of any sort. I’m so sorry.
I am so sorry. I really am. I shouldn’t have pushed back and I apologize for that. I really am sorry.
Thank you. I will be taking the racism out of the story.
I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have even thought that it was my place to be writing about that. I would like to incorporate some struggles in the story. Specifically centered around homophobia. I will not be keeping the racism in the story, nor were either the homophobia or the racism going to be a major plot line, just something that she struggled with in general, as I don’t just want the story to be happy and perfect with no issues, because that makes for a very boring story. Thank you for all of your words, it really was very helpful, and again I’m very sorry.
I’m a woman of colour and well, I think what has been said on this thread has covered.
You do not have to just use your character’s race as a form of struggle/conflict in the story. It can come across as trauma porn and can do more harm than good especially as an individual who hasn’t experienced racism. Same with sexuality, conflict can arise from simple things like different opinions over a project and it can start a rivalry or something like competing over a certain job/role in school.
Rather than making the suffering and trauma of marginalised people be the prime focus, instead you should try to develop your characters with their own quirks, personality traits, pet peeves, etc. When you develop a good idea of what kind of conflicts/drama characters can have between each other. Like a slacker vs a high achiever, they end up arguing over their futures, etc. There is a lot to work with other than making a character’s race and/or sexuality their only trait.
Main thing about representation is POC and LGBTQ+ people want to see people like them in a story, with fully developed characters and just being human. Avoid stereotypes completely, focus on developing decent characters who may need self improvement in ways like learning to love themselves, letting themselves be vulnerable and it goes on. Since you’re doing double life ideas like even a superhero, assassin, spy, an agony aunt/gossip girl kinda vibe could work?
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Okay. Thank you so much for everything you said about it. Being a person of colour and/or a lesbian will not be the MC’s only personality traits. That was never my intention. This thread was created to ask specifically about if her racial traits and those storylines relating to her race were appropriate. That’s the reason I didn’t explain much else besides that and her sexuality. Yes, a big part of the story is that she’s a lesbian and experiences homophobia, but that is definitely NOT her only trait. Nor is her race. She is a real person with real traits, ideas, and relationships. Her sexuality and race don’t define her. The MC does have CC so people will be able to change her race. The original MC will be black, but her race will not be any plot/story line as she may not be black for everyone. Thank you so much for your input and ideas, and thank you for being nice about it too. It’s super helpful.