Mc gender

[Daitengu]

The only one I can remember with decent writing (for my tastes) is A Practical Guide to Sorcery by Azalea Ellis. Still, it's not the permanent GB, just convenient disguise, forced by circumstances. Any other recommendations? (I'm mostly interested with psychological side, coping with situation, when GB is forced on character.)

I've never read forced gb that has satisfactory gender disphoria. It's always mad for a paragraph, or sad their lil man is gone for a paragraph. Or the worst, "I can't touch girl, that'll make me a perv, but I really have to pee."

Like, if it's such a non-issue why even have it in the first place.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

I don't care, but I tend to read more female protagonists.

Anything so long as they're interesting.

This ^^

 

[Succubiome]

I lean towards female protagonist of any kind, but will read basically any sort of gender/sexuality combo besides straight man protagonist?

Straight men are most often the protagonist of mainstream stories. I've read/watched/etc a whole bunch of straight man protagonist stuff over the years because it's extremely ubiquitous, but I feel I kind of "get it" at this point. I'll still try it if it has an interesting angle, occasionally? So I guess it's untrue to say I won't read straight man protagonist stuff, it's just a big downside for me in a vacuum.

Straight men have the most narrow social role they're expected to live in, and in books aimed for them, that tends to lead to less complex psychology, more typical and thus less interesting relationships of all kinds, as well as more predictable plots and a prevalence towards straightforwards power fantasies, which are extremely not my thing.

Or perhaps because I've seen straight male protagonist stories everywhere without trying ten thousand times, they're more predictable to me? Hard to say.

I've never read forced gb that has satisfactory gender disphoria. It's always mad for a paragraph, or sad their lil man is gone for a paragraph. Or the worst, "I can't touch girl, that'll make me a perv, but I really have to pee."

Like, if it's such a non-issue why even have it in the first place.

Gender bender is usually an excuse to explore one perspective from another perspective, in one way or another-- one could compare it to Isekais, which usually aren't about people struggling to make it in an unfamiliar world for more than takes to make it a little verisimilitudunous, even though that would make way more sense. The suffering isn't the main point of what most authors are trying to convey, y'know?

Also, it's not the MC having gender dysphoria so much, but if you wanna read about a lot of intense forced gender dysphoria: https://www.scribblehub.com/series/421879/the-sisters-of-dorley/

 

[AliceShiki]

I'm fine with a protagonist of any gender for as long as they're well-written.

But I do have my preferences. Female Protagonists tend to appeal to me more due to the way they're usually written when compared to Male Protagonists... To me they just tend to feel more interesting.

But well, that's just a tendency and can obviously vary from story to story. I've read stories with terrible female protags and stories with great male protags.

As for gender bender, I honestly never read FtM gender bender because uhn... Well, I only found a few, and by the time I did find them, I wasn't reading as much as before, so I just ended up never getting to it. I might try it one day.

As for MtF gender bender, how much I like it depends a lot on the execution... But essentially, what I want to see is the character struggling to understand themselves and what gender they identify with and the like.

OTOH, if the Gender Bender is just played for laughs and the character is never shown to have any internal struggles, I tend to dislike it... Though I have liked some non-serious gender benders before, so... It depends on the execution.

 

[Daitengu]

I lean towards female protagonist of any kind, but will read basically any sort of gender/sexuality combo besides straight man protagonist?

Straight men are most often the protagonist of mainstream stories. I've read/watched/etc a whole bunch of straight man protagonist stuff over the years because it's extremely ubiquitous, but I feel I kind of "get it" at this point. I'll still try it if it has an interesting angle, occasionally? So I guess it's untrue to say I won't read straight man protagonist stuff, it's just a big downside for me in a vacuum.

Straight men have the most narrow social role they're expected to live in, and in books aimed for them, that tends to lead to less complex psychology, more typical and thus less interesting relationships of all kinds, as well as more predictable plots and a prevalence towards straightforwards power fantasies, which are extremely not my thing.

Or perhaps because I've seen straight male protagonist stories everywhere without trying ten thousand times, they're more predictable to me? Hard to say.


Gender bender is usually an excuse to explore one perspective from another perspective, in one way or another-- one could compare it to Isekais, which usually aren't about people struggling to make it in an unfamiliar world for more than takes to make it a little verisimilitudunous, even though that would make way more sense. The suffering isn't the main point of what most authors are trying to convey, y'know?

I get your idea, but when people pull a race swap and it usually has a tangible effect on the story, I find it hard to believe.

Generally speaking a gender swap has had no effect on story. There's like three authors on SH that use it for character growth. The MC still goes for women, and still goes adventuring. There is no "change in perspective" when there's nothing that changes. Hell, the gb characters usually act so poorly to male flirting that they act like a homophobe would, and the authors selectively surround the gb mc with just women. Like somehow all men can't just be friends with women, they gotta get in their panties.

 

[Succubiome]

I get your idea, but when people pull a race swap and it usually has a tangible effect on the story, I find it hard to believe.

Generally speaking a gender swap has had no effect on story. There's like three authors on SH that use it for character growth. The MC still goes for women, and still goes adventuring. There is no "change in perspective" when there's nothing that changes. Hell, the gb characters usually act so poorly to male flirting that they act like a homophobe would, and the authors selectively surround the gb mc with just women. Like somehow all men can't just be friends with women, they gotta get in their panties.

I agree that struggling with gender can be an interesting thing, and I'd be more interested if more stories with genderbender included a little more complexity on it-- although I will note that changing one's gender, even on purpose, doesn't automatically change one's orientation or career? Like it can, but not necessarily.

I've often seen change in perspective is usually from how someone is treated by others and one's perception of oneself and one's gender in things, sometimes orientation, lifestyle and/or job, and sometimes even more things.

Like, if it's such a non-issue why even have it in the first place.

Regardless, earlier you said this, and the answer I gave was the reason. Your question was was 'why don't you see more gender dysphoria'. And that's the reason why, as best as I understand. I get that that's not interesting to you, certainly, and I wouldn't say it's what I'm most interested in myself.

I don't find it Gender Bending done worse than other tropes... some people use it well, some people don't. I haven't read a ton of Gender Bender stuff on Scribblehub specifically, so I can't speak to that. Scribblehub -- with a few notable exceptions -- probably isn't the best place to look for indepth gender dysphoria and exploration, really.

 

[AliceShiki]

Generally speaking a gender swap has had no effect on story. There's like three authors on SH that use it for character growth. The MC still goes for women, and still goes adventuring. There is no "change in perspective" when there's nothing that changes. Hell, the gb characters usually act so poorly to male flirting that they act like a homophobe would, and the authors selectively surround the gb mc with just women. Like somehow all men can't just be friends with women, they gotta get in their panties.

I haven't read any Gender Bender here on Scribblehub, so I honestly don't have much experience with the average Gender Bender here, but...

I do know we have a Transgender tag, and this tag will probably only be used by people who wanna explore gender themes more seriously, so...

If you wanna try finding more serious Gender Benders? Maybe search for those with the Transgender tag? Maybe also exclude Comedy genre to like... Be extra certain.

Can't guarantee any results since I never read any in this site, but it should have better chances of getting serious stories like that.

... Oh, and you can also use the I'm Looking For section to ask for recommendations. That should help too.

 

[Lodur]

I've never read forced gb that has satisfactory gender disphoria. It's always mad for a paragraph, or sad their lil man is gone for a paragraph. Or the worst, "I can't touch girl, that'll make me a perv, but I really have to pee."

Like, if it's such a non-issue why even have it in the first place.

Sorry, I missed your message somehow. I think, not all people are so rigid to have specifically dysphoria. It is serious mental condition, with fixation on some aspects of life (if we a speaking of dysphoria in general, not only gender dysphoria) that person considers gravely important to them. But most people are plastic enough to cope with different life circumstances more or less successfully. And not everyone holds on to their gender identity with a stranglehold, considering other aspects of life more important for themselves. Still, even for such people changing gender should be quite difficult task. That's why it's usually interesting to read (if author makes a good, beleavable story from it).

 

[Daitengu]

I agree that struggling with gender can be an interesting thing, and I'd be more interested if more stories with genderbender included a little more complexity on it-- although I will note that changing one's gender, even on purpose, doesn't automatically change one's orientation or career? Like it can, but not necessarily.

I've often seen change in perspective is usually from how someone is treated by others and one's perception of oneself and one's gender in things, sometimes orientation, lifestyle and/or job, and sometimes even more things.



Regardless, earlier you said this, and the answer I gave was the reason. Your question was was 'why don't you see more gender dysphoria'. And that's the reason why, as best as I understand. I get that that's not interesting to you, certainly, and I wouldn't say it's what I'm most interested in myself.

I don't find it Gender Bending done worse than other tropes... some people use it well, some people don't. I haven't read a ton of Gender Bender stuff on Scribblehub specifically, so I can't speak to that. Scribblehub -- with a few notable exceptions -- probably isn't the best place to look for indepth gender dysphoria and exploration, really.

See, I don't see many authors actually exploring the genderbent perspective. I read both JP and ENG stories. Most gb has been reduced to a paragraph of "No my little man", a paragraph about uaing the bathroom, and one about bathing. Then the rest of the story is just cute girl does cute things. There's straight no reason to have gb if everything but one chp is cute girl does cute thing. It should be called "token gb". Like there's the token trope that exists as a check mark. Like always having the token tsundere, and the token creepy noble/rich guy.

Sorry, I missed your message somehow. I think, not all people are so rigid to have specifically dysphoria. It is serious mental condition, with fixation on some aspects of life (if we a speaking of dysphoria in general, not only gender dysphoria) that person considers gravely important to them. But most people are plastic enough to cope with different life circumstances more or less successfully. And not everyone holds on to their gender identity with a stranglehold, considering other aspects of life more important for themselves. Still, even for such people changing gender should be quite difficult task. That's why it's usually interesting to read (if author makes a good, beleavable story from it).

I get that, but often the gb mc doesn't even think about the differences beyond somewhere in the first 5 chapters.

There's a concept where the idea is, the mind affects the body, and the body affects the mind. But most gb is reincarnation and they have a "soul trumps everything" mentally. Then they get shapeshifing, futa, or impregnating other women magic so they can fulfill their "I wanna be pretty while also banging the pretties" fantasy.

I haven't read any Gender Bender here on Scribblehub, so I honestly don't have much experience with the average Gender Bender here, but...

I do know we have a Transgender tag, and this tag will probably only be used by people who wanna explore gender themes more seriously, so...

If you wanna try finding more serious Gender Benders? Maybe search for those with the Transgender tag? Maybe also exclude Comedy genre to like... Be extra certain.

Can't guarantee any results since I never read any in this site, but it should have better chances of getting serious stories like that.

... Oh, and you can also use the I'm Looking For section to ask for recommendations. That should help too.

See, I can be fine with casual gb. I read the Umbra Witch online story. It truly isn't a big deal to be gb in a game. So it can be fun and silly. But at least the author of that story knows to add simps, and the MC getting hit on, and being embarrassed by female clothing tropes, and what not.

Many of the gb stories don't add any significant male interaction beyond negative to neutral.

 

[Lodur]

I get that, but often the gb mc doesn't even think about the differences beyond somewhere in the first 5 chapters.

There's a concept where the idea is, the mind affects the body, and the body affects the mind. But most gb is reincarnation and they have a "soul trumps everything" mentally. Then they get shapeshifing, futa, or impregnating other women magic so they can fulfill their "I wanna be pretty while also banging the pretties" fantasy.

I concur. I can count not bad stories whith GB I've read so far on the fingers of one hand. End even these "not bad" have some flaws (well... I can't really blame authors, writing for fun and sharing their stories for free, can I?).

 

[Succubiome]

Then they get shapeshifing, futa, or impregnating other women magic so they can fulfill their "I wanna be pretty while also banging the pretties" fantasy.

In "I Was A Hero, But" I definitely do shapeshifting/futa/heavily female cast so far/etc-- but the MC is the one threatened with impregnation. There's more about the MC's shift in social role than shift in gender in that story, though, even if there are elements of it, and it's very smutty, so probably not your cup of tea.

I concur. I can count not bad stories whith GB I've read so far on the fingers of one hand. End even these "not bad" have some flaws (well... I can't really blame authors, writing for fun and sharing their stories for free, can I?).

If you want better odds at more complicated looks on gender presentation/dysphoria/etc, you're probably better looking up fiction with transgender characters on AO3 or a transgender fiction site, or The Sisters of Dorley on SH?

Sometimes it's a background element, sometimes a foreground, but changes and feelings and difficulties about gender are in general handled better and more centrally than gender bender in EN/JP webnovels with the gender bender tag in my experience.

Haven't read many EN/JP webnovels with the transgender tag, though.

I feel in practice gender bender in webnovels is often like "a little bit of gender stuff, as a treat for gender-questioning people... but not enough to turn away most people who aren't particularly into that"... maybe the pretty handwavey nature of most gender bending magic is part of what plays into this, too.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

girl disguised as a dude that disguises as a girl

That’s oddly specific, but that does happen in “A Practical Guide to Sorcery.”

 

[Seaspecter]

Personally I prefer female MCs I just enjoy the way the stories are usually written from a woman's perspective I can't say why.

 

[Succubiome]

girl disguised as a dude that disguises as a girl

The Basara manga has this.

 

[Lodur]

If you want better odds at more complicated looks on gender presentation/dysphoria/etc, you're probably better looking up fiction with transgender characters on AO3 or a transgender fiction site,

Rather than dysphoria, I'm looking for euphoria, bliss. I can explain precisely, what I'm looking for and why I'm interested in this theme. But it would be rater lengthy explanation involving my beliefs, so I'm not inclined to do it in open place (and forum rules prohibit discursion of religion, TBW). But I can write you in private conversation, if you are interested.

or The Sisters of Dorley on SH?

I tried to read that novel. But I couldn't endure it to the end. There are boundaries to fantasies, which our brain puts in "zone of comfort". And deep inside I'm steel average straight guy with wife and two children. It appears, said novel exceeds my boundaries.

 

[BearlyAlive]

Why isn't "well-written" a gender?! Are you discriminating against well-written people?!?!?! In current year?!?!?!

So anyway, enough madness, I don't care what an MC is, since I'd rather care about who an MC is. As long as they're well-written or interesting I'll find myself cheering for or against them.

 

[Succubiome]

Rather than dysphoria, I'm looking for euphoria, bliss. I can explain precisely, what I'm looking for and why I'm interested in this theme. But it would be rater lengthy explanation involving my beliefs, so I'm not inclined to do it in open place (and forum rules prohibit discursion of religion, TBW). But I can write you in private conversation, if you are interested.

Gender Euphoria is absolutely valid to want-- although I think transgender fiction also tends to be better at that? I just tend towards stuff on the slightly darker side in general, myself, so that's where my specific knowledge tends to be.

...like, the thing is, transgender people have usually thought way more about gender than most cisgender people, on average. Given the potential risks involved in most cultures, mostly social but also to some extent physical, people generally don't decide to change their gender without thinking about gender a lot and having a lot of feelings about it, euphoric and/or dysphoric, you know?

I tried to read that novel. But I couldn't endure it to the end. There are boundaries to fantasies, which our brain puts in "zone of comfort". And deep inside I'm steel average straight guy with wife and two children. It appears, said novel exceeds my boundaries.

Yeah, valid! Even putting gender stuff aside, it's pretty dark/intense, I've definitely known trans people who it was too much for. It's just what comes to mind when I go "well done exploration of gender on Scribblehub", especially dysphoria-specific. I maybe could've warned better about darkness/intensity, though.

 

[AryaX]

I prefer Male to Female GB main character... Just plain Female is "fine" too I guess, but GB = Better...
And I prefer light hearted and "magical" stuff... Not angsty or "realistic" transgender stuff...
And smut is good so long as "it" is not the "plot".

 

[BlackKnightX]

I don't really care, as long as the love interests are ladies.

 

[PeacefulMyst]

male. Also screw you june