Tag: fanfic (mostly)

dragonthieving:

bubblybulbasaur:

a-cure-for-writers-block:

berlynn-wohl:

puppyvegeta:

the-stonedsoldier:

Pros of writing gay relationships: 

– gay

Cons of writing gay relationships:

– they both have THE SAME FCKIN PRONOUNS SO I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO NAME BOTH CHARACTERS BECAUSE OTHERWISE IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHO’S DOING WHAT OR WHO’S SPEAKING WHO WILL SAVE ME FROM THIS HELL

I CAN’T BELIEVE THERE’S A POST ABOUT THIS. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL.

Worst way to deal with this: use epithets (the taller man, the blonde) DO NOT

Best way to deal with this: Use the pronouns a teensy bit more than you maybe feel is sufficient. Leave the fic for two days before editing (i.e. allow yourself to forget it a little). Come back and re-read. If at any point YOU can’t tell who’s doing what to whom, put names in. Leave the rest of the pronouns.

Also, for dialogue: use characterization instead of names. Let it be clear by the things that are said, the way they are said, who is saying them.

Readers are smart, let them infer sometimes. 🙂

So many people have asked me about this when writing same-sex relationships. I’ve been looking for this post for so long, I hope it helps, darlings! 

I don’t mind reading epithets as long as it’s something you would actually use to describe someone.

The blonde, fine.

The blue-clad man, wtf? Stop

And used sparingly as well. I don’t mind a reasonable epithet occasionally to break up the monotony of “she”, “her” and specific names. But when it’s unique (often weird) epithets for every sentence, it is very, very grating and juvenile-sounding.

I think there are definitely acceptable and smart ways of using epithets and I’m pretty sure most writers have used them, even in straight classic literature. Just don’t overdo it. That’s all.

Like once in a while I may use “the older woman” when it’s a situation where I feel too many specific names/she/hers have been dropped already AND it’s a scene where experience or age plays a factor in the reaction(s) or behaviour(s). Just like I may use a physical descriptor epithet when it’s a scene where the character’s physical appearance factors in, or it’s something very visual like a sex or action scene, perhaps.

I’m not saying that is necessarily the best way, and ideally if I were a better writer I’d like to avoid epithets altogether but I’m simply not that good or clever.

I just don’t think a hard and fast “No epithets ever or you suck!” rule is warranted or helpful.