An important question

SpiritualFiction · Apr 16, 2013

At least I think it is. I'm writing a narrative about a young man who I simply described as a "bachelor". But being that I don't elaborate on dating any further than that, an obvious question might start to come up: why hasn't anything been mentioned about his dating habits (or lack of)? (even though it has nothing to do with the plot)

Well, I decided to finally "out" him as a gay male. Makes sense I guess since this character is loosely based upon myself.

A followup question I have is, how appropriate is this in today's literary climate, especially within the genre I'm working on which is "speculative fiction" and "magical realism". It's really an occult suspense story and has nothing to do with sexual orientation or romantic partnerings for that matter. But I mean, as a side-subject, I was reading it yet again, and began taking note that nothing is mentioned about dating or "why he's still single" at the ripe old age of 29, etc. So...any thoughts? I'm hoping for answers primarily from lovers of the genres I mentioned.

One thing's for sure, I'm not gonna "pretend" that he's heterosexual and just happens to renounce dating.

Thanks everybody

Bushrat · Apr 16, 2013

It's not a genre I read much, but I don't see a problem - what does it matter? IMO it's just like having a protag who's a single mom, somebody who lives with their ailing parent, or has a dog - you could turn all these facets of your protag's life into the main topic of your book, but if that's not what the book is about, these things just get a side mention.
Unless you write romance, there is no pressing need to mention the love life of your protag at all. I don't wonder about why the protagonists in books are single or if they're dating if it has nothing to do with the plot - just like I don't wonder if they've got a dog, kids, plants, parents etc

If none are mentioned, and the story works without them, I just don't think about it. Because books give a partial, focussed view of the characters' life.

slhuang · Apr 16, 2013

SpiritualFiction said:
At least I think it is. I'm writing a narrative about a young man who I simply described as a "bachelor". But being that I don't elaborate on dating any further than that, an obvious question might start to come up: why hasn't anything been mentioned about his dating habits (or lack of)? (even though it has nothing to do with the plot)

Well, I decided to finally "out" him as a gay male. Makes sense I guess since this character is loosely based upon myself.

A followup question I have is, how appropriate is this in today's literary climate, especially within the genre I'm working on which is "speculative fiction" and "magical realism". It's really an occult suspense story and has nothing to do with sexual orientation or romantic partnerings for that matter. But I mean, as a side-subject, I was reading it yet again, and began taking note that nothing is mentioned about dating or "why he's still single" at the ripe old age of 29, etc. So...any thoughts? I'm hoping for answers primarily from lovers of the genres I mentioned.

One thing's for sure, I'm not gonna "pretend" that he's heterosexual and just happens to renounce dating.

Thanks everybody

Um . . . I'm honestly not sure what your question is . . . ? :Shrug:

The only specific question you ask seems to be rhetorical . . .

If you're asking whether it's cool to have gay protags of SFF where it's not the focus of the story, I say DEFINITELY. We don't have nearly enough.

Deleted member 42 · Apr 16, 2013

Seriously, this isn't even an issue.

Mr Flibble · Apr 16, 2013

slhuang said:
If you're asking whether it's cool to have gay protags of SFF where it's not the focus of the story, I say DEFINITELY. We don't have nearly enough.

No, we don't, though they've been around a long time in SFF. Lookit ol' Game of Thrones. Only the best selling fantasy series of the last what, twenty years? Several not-straight characters. Plenty of other examples too.

You're fine. Now, go write, write like the wind (if the wind had a pen...)

lolchemist · Apr 16, 2013

Not every single human being is dating or actively searching for a romantic partner nonstop. A lot of people just enjoy (or at least, don't mind) being single for long stretches of time. If romance isn't relevant to the plot, leave it alone. If you want to mention he's gay, that's awesome. But I'd reccommend doing it sooner than later because you don't want to have a "Dumbledore was gay!" effect 4/5ths of the way in!

Susan Coffin · Apr 16, 2013

It's not an issue at all.

BenPanced · Apr 16, 2013

It's only an issue if you make it one. From your description, it won't be.

kuwisdelu · Apr 16, 2013

SpiritualFiction said:
Well, I decided to finally "out" him as a gay male.

Unless you're literally like "surprise! he's gay!" halfway through the book, and make a big deal about it when it wasn't before, I don't see why it would be an issue at all.

Terie · Apr 16, 2013

lolchemist said:
Not every single human being is dating or actively searching for a romantic partner nonstop.

This. I and quite a lot of my friends are single people who aren't dating or in a relationship, haven't been for a long time, and don't plan to be, maybe ever. It's not all that rare of a situation.

Buffysquirrel · Apr 17, 2013

I don't think making him gay solves your not-dating problem, tbh.

OJCade · Apr 17, 2013

^That's what I thought. Gay people date too.

Gay or straight, he doesn't have to be involved with anyone. Many people are happy single, and most readers won't care one way or the other unless it directly impacts the plot.

waylander · Apr 17, 2013

Some people have a low sex-drive and dating just isn't a priority for them.

ellio · Apr 17, 2013

SpiritualFiction said:
But I mean, as a side-subject, I was reading it yet again, and began taking note that nothing is mentioned about dating or "why he's still single" at the ripe old age of 29, etc. So...any thoughts?

The fact he's gay isn't an issue, but bear in mind that the fact he's gay really doesn't explain why he's single at the ripe old age of 29 (and is that even a ripe old age? if that's ripe then I have to do a whole load of re-thinking my life plan)
It's not like there aren't homosexual people out there.

I know you've said nothing is mentioned about it, but it makes me a leeeetle weary that you might not have thought enough about how best to write a gay character.
Considering putting in "hey why's he still single?" "because he's gay" isn't the way to go about it.

Feel free to tell me where to shove it, and that you are the most brilliant gay fiction writer on the planet (or whatever, i'm just ad-libbing, insert words of your choice) but something about the way you phrased that caused me to cringe.

Buffysquirrel · Apr 17, 2013

SpiritualFiction said:
AOne thing's for sure, I'm not gonna "pretend" that he's heterosexual and just happens to renounce dating.

No, you're going to pretend he's gay and just happens to renounce dating....

Phaeal · Apr 17, 2013

lolchemist said:
Not every single human being is dating or actively searching for a romantic partner nonstop. A lot of people just enjoy (or at least, don't mind) being single for long stretches of time. If romance isn't relevant to the plot, leave it alone. If you want to mention he's gay, that's awesome. But I'd reccommend doing it sooner than later because you don't want to have a "Dumbledore was gay!" effect 4/5ths of the way in!

I have no problem with novels in which there are no romantic or sexual subplots, and if the action is intense and/or frenetic enough, I won't have time to worry about the protag's social life.

However, in a quieter novel, where the protag, male or female, gay or straight, comes across as a sociable sort, I'll probably wonder why he or she seems to have no social/dating life. Loner-types, on the other hand, I'll wonder why they're loners.

As for Dumbledore, I knew he was gay from Book One. He was too cool to be otherwise.

An important question

SpiritualFiction

Bushrat

reaching for the sun

slhuang

Inappropriately math-oriented.

Deleted member 42

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

lolchemist

Shooting stars.

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is

BenPanced

THE BLUEBERRY QUEEN OF HADES (he/him)

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

Terie

Writer is as Writer does

Buffysquirrel

OJCade

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

ellio

a hardback life on an ebook budget

Buffysquirrel

Phaeal

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.