Along the same lines as Adrian's question about writing for the opposite sex, I wondered how everyone felt about writing for the opposite sexuality. As a hetero, do you feel awkward about writing gay story lines? If you are gay do you struggle writing straight romance? I have straight, gay and bisexual characters in my book. I found the gay characters the most difficult to make believable as I kept wandering into stereotypes. In fact, with one very gregarious character I had to develop a whole back story unrelated to his sexuality before I could take him seriously. Anyone else had difficulties adding characters outside the experience of their own sexuality? What do we think are the main pitfalls of writing outside your own experience in any context?
Victoria, please don't be less controversial. It was an excellent question.
These forums need livening up from time to time. I ask questions to stimulate a mature debate. Some of them work, others fail miserably.
I have firm opinions and I'm not afraid to express them, but I won't get involved in slanging matches.
On the plus side, I believe that most people who post on this site mean well.
Wow, um, Dumbledore was gay... but that's all I have to say about that.
Actually Damien, I was really hoping Jonathan was going to reply. With my last question 'What do we think are the main pitfalls of writing outside your own experience in any context?' I was actually thinking about historical fiction and the challenges that presents. But yes, research, research, research.
Thanks for the welcome back, Adrian. I'll try to be a little less controversial with my next question!
Victoria,
This question has got me rattling my brain. I guess the same would apply if we was writing a war novel. We all know how much research we need to input to write any novel outside of fiction. Yes I guess the answer would be to all the questions simply research.
Regards
Ps thanks admin