#night of musing

[theticklishpear]

1) There really isn't a concept of LGBT+ pride in the worlds my stories are set in because for the most part, the cultures I've brainstormed to populate my stories don't have any prejudice against lgbt+ folk. Not being straight/cis is seen as normal. I'm a queer person myself and I live in a not very accepting culture to say the least, and writing worlds like this is a means of escapism and to cope. That said, not all the cultures i created are as accepting cuz some people are just Like That

One of my wips is a scifi set in a utopian post scarcity civilization. This made me think, if we lived in a society that had true equality among all genders, then what would being a gender even mean. I think it's up to every person to decide for themself. And in that setting, people aren't assigned a gender at birth. And discovering one's gender is part of growing up and a rite of passage. That said, a good majority of my ocs are queer because that's more fun for me to write as a queer person.

(Night of Musing)

Ah! This sounds so great! You’ve really put some thought into these cultures and I’m glad that we’re able to use our craft to build places of refuge for ourselves. That’s one of the absolute best things about writing, in my opinion. Be safe, okay? And write on!-Pear

[theticklishpear]

I sometimes end up not having visible representation in my books despite the majority of my characters being LGBT because I kind of... forget that it's not default? But Stellar Eclipse's characters think about, discuss, and express their sexualities a lot more than in my other works since it's a longer series that has more chances to bring up those topics. Most of the Stellar Eclipse books have a POV from an openly LGBT character as well!

(Night of Musing)

Boy, I can’t wait for the day when folks don’t assume cis/straight right off the bat for characters. I still think demonstrating or talking about precisely the identity will continue to be important, but just that step forward to change what default is will be glorious. I’m excited for you to be writing a series, too! -Pear

[theticklishpear]

I don't have anything to offer, I just want to say I love hearing everyone's story ideas. They're all so fresh and wonderful and I love seeing all the creativity out there!

Agreed, Anon!

There are so many stories in the world, and so many being created all the time. They’re all so unique and different from what I might write. I love seeing how other folks think, what they’re passionate about, and all the great stories being created that I could never hope to make myself.

Hey writers?

Thanks.-Pear

[theticklishpear]

I feel like I write such narrow niche stories. I really love Other World type of stories, where a person from one world (or walk of life) is forcefully thrust into another and has to learn to cope. Sometimes I take it seriously, with supernatural forces and legit reasons, but other times it's just 'Well we're in a video game-like world now whoops!' I also only write nonbinary protagonists! I don't think I've had even a single cishet side/supporting character in my wips that wasn't a villain.

I really like the Other World-type fiction because I'm someone that has a strong detachment from reality (mental illness, ahoy!), but I've also had some life experiences that have left me feeling very transient. I love stories where that happens to characters who then find their own way and happiness in their new world and circumstance. But I also feel like not many people will understand where I'm coming from, and that kinda leaves a bittersweet feeling while I'm writing...

(Night of Musing)

We all have stories we gravitate toward, and not all every story we write has to say something or be serious and meaningful. It’s okay to write for fun! But on top of that, I think you’re being a bit hard on yourself. There are so many stories that are absolutely smash hits that are centered on characters going through liminal spaces, experiencing the feeling of passing through, of not belonging until they find that they do. Heck, the Chronicles of Narnia are that very story. I think you’re definitely not alone in what you’re feeling, and it’s always worth writing the stories that call to you.

And honestly? The more nonbinary characters that are out there, the more exposure the nonbinary identity receives, and the more normalized it can become. I want that more than anything else, so keep writing those nonbinary characters. I do suggest you consider having a few non-antagonistic cishet characters, though. As much as we don’t want nonbinary characters to only appear in stories as antagonists, it’s not healthy for the other way around, either. Keep writing!-Pear

[theticklishpear]

Would there be space pride tho? I mean it sounds lit as hell but on the other hand I want to believe that being LGBT is normal enough in space that aliens don't need pride u know? But if humans throw a pride with all the possibilities of space... Now that's gonna b good

(Night of Musing) (in response to this ask)

Why would humans stop celebrating themselves and their identities just because they started surfing space in honkin’ big ships and congregating with aliens? The ask in question never stipulates whether these are humans or aliens, and we’re not here to critique these things. I’m all for a good ol’ Pride in Space, and I never put it past humans to continue their weird traditions in the face of the vastness of space.-Pear

[theticklishpear]

Hi Pear! Most of my worlds are vastly different from ours, and don't really have the concept of pride month, the OCs who are from 'our' world are often struggling with their own identity, or taking it in stride without feeling the need to frankly label it, so don't really interact with the community as such. I do tend to gravitate toward ace characters, and same sex relationships (I can think of more than a couple bi characters off the top of my head, a few gays, more than a few lesbians [1]

The one common factor is their views of relationships in which sex isn’t a main component but just one of many forms of physical intimacy (hence an ace factor even in characters who don’t see themselves as ace). Very few of my characters actually put a label on their sexuality, some because their world doesn’t make as clear a distinction as we do, some because they are still discovering themselves (and let’s face it, some because I don’t have a clue!). There are characters for which I ‘sensed’ one identity, who then encounter another character who challenges my view. Gender-wise, I think I have some characters who, if asked, would just shrug and say ‘human’, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a 'clear’ non-binary character. I do have quite a few characters who challenge people’s vision of their world’s binary though, by the way they act and present themselves rather than who they are. I feel like I’m forgetting characters, because I have so many projects and it’s past 1am, but I think that’s the gist of it! :) ((Sorry for the many asks, I typed it on a document on the side and realised when I copy pasted it that it was longer than expected!))

(Night of Musing)

I’ve always loved seeing how you deal with gender and sexuality in your stories as we talk, and I love that your relationships tend to favor that “sex as another form of intimacy” detail. I think it helps add a depth to the way characters build their relationship together not to put the sexual encounter on a pedestal of “this is what it means to be in a relationship.” It’s just one more option available, not the only way to show that the relationship means something to them.

[theticklishpear]

This concludes tonight’s Night of Musing. Thanks to those who sent responses in. If you haven’t seen yours, don’t worry. The queue will continue to post them until all the submitted responses have appeared.

Who knows when the next Night of Musing will occur. Stay tuned every second Friday to see what we’re up to! The next event will be August 10th!

Thanks! -Pear

[theticklishpear]

I'm here to talk about the queer! Angel and Luci are the cutest couple! On her visits to Hell, Angel likes to cuddle up on Luci's lap either on the throne or in the massive library. Between her visits, Luci makes her oversized sweaters (with holes in the back for her wings, of course) so she'll always have one :D

(Night of Musing)

Bring me all the queer! LUCI MAKES HER OVERSIZED SWEATERS?? You’re killing me with cute!-Pear