Question re: Gender Bender stories?

[naosu]

So... I thought of some fun ways to do gender bender stories. Its not my main niche. No I can't share them yet because I'm putting them into a future book.

But I've run into some worries in writing this type of story.... I've always liked creatures and fantasy races. Like I have stories with elf main characters. And some with dwarf MCs, and some are mages or dragon MCs. I like the idea of stretching beyond human limitations. I'm not trying to be an elf in real life, etc.

So... if I write a gender bender theme story also under the same idea of putting someone in a creature that could fit into this niche, are people going to think I'm in the rainbow flag group as an author? I'm a bit worried about this. I think I can make a good story for people that want this genre. But I'm not actually as a person in that group. And I don't want to be misunderstood as being in their groups... I'm concerned if I do this it could make people think I'm something I'm not.

Could that be a problem? Or ... any advise?

I'm also not sure how this genre labels their genres also so that people know what to look for. Like I'm pretty sure guys into guys don't buy girls into girls lesbian books and vice versa? So how do they label those books?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

No, people won't think you are a closet trans. It's not a problem at all.

 

[LuoirM]

No, people won't think you are a closet trans. It's not a problem at all.

That's what you say

 

[ShrimpShady]

I don't think there's anything you can do to prevent readers from interpreting what they will. You'll just have to live with that possibility

 

[Deleted member 206441]

Dont care about what people you dont care about think.

 

[Empress_Omnii]

And I don't want to be misunderstood as being in their groups

If you're so worried. Just say you're not LGBTQ.

Like I'm pretty sure guys into guys don't buy girls into girls lesbian books and vice versa? So how do they label those books?

As for this... you just don't know anything about LGBTQ media preferences. Which isn't a bad thing per say, but it is an incorrect assumption.

The most common readers of BL are actually fujoshi. Female readers who read gay men.

I as a lesbian, also read BL occasionally. And really? You're likely to get a higher LGBTQ ratio of readers than any straight romance because less are comfortable with the romance.

Reading books that don't match your sexuallity is very common. And the genres here are Boys Love for gay men and Girls Love for me.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

So... if I write a gender bender theme story also under the same idea of putting someone in a creature that could fit into this niche, are people going to think I'm in the rainbow flag group as an author? I'm a bit worried about this. I think I can make a good story for people that want this genre. But I'm not actually as a person in that group. And I don't want to be misunderstood as being in their groups... I'm concerned if I do this it could make people think I'm something I'm not.

Could that be a problem? Or ... any advise?

Why would you be worried about that? I've been including LGBTQ+ characters since ... well, since it was just LGB, about two or three years after DC admitted it had gay characters and almost the same time Marvel followed suit. But, aside from having one bi roommate (who was the first of my high school friends to get married - in a "straight" relationship at that), I've never even been close to or part of that community, nor, to my knowledge, considered a part of it at all. It just seemed to be an interesting challenge to write characters like that after meeting several in real life.
And note that one of my stories here (My most successful one so far) is a GB story, another has a GB villain (not yet introduced here but soon; and kind of a spoiler, the character is bent in more ways than just gender), and another has two bi characters who are a couple.

I'm also not sure how this genre labels their genres also so that people know what to look for. Like I'm pretty sure guys into guys don't buy girls into girls lesbian books and vice versa? So how do they label those books?

BL/Boys Love, GL/Girls Love are the labels for those, respectively.

 

[Madmcgee]

I'm also not sure how this genre labels their genres also so that people know what to look for. Like I'm pretty sure guys into guys don't buy girls into girls lesbian books and vice versa? So how do they label those books?

Am a straight white dude that is 100% aware of what I like and don't like, and the stuff I don't find attractive doesn't offend me.

I've read BL books, I've read GL books. Heck, I write GL books because it's fun.

As for you, it's less about those tags and more about if the story is good. If you make it a full up romance and focus on sexuality, then yeah, you might find yourself more niche and turning some people away.

But, imo, if it's just your characters who might be a dude liking a dude or a chick liking a chick in the background of a fantasy adventure, then the only people you will alienate are those who you're already risking by writing a gender-bender.

 

[naosu]

Why would you be worried about that? I've been including LGBTQ+ characters since ... well, since it was just LGB, about two or three years after DC admitted it had gay characters and almost the same time Marvel followed suit. But, aside from having one bi roommate (who was the first of my high school friends to get married - in a "straight" relationship at that), I've never even been close to or part of that community, nor, to my knowledge, considered a part of it at all. It just seemed to be an interesting challenge to write characters like that after meeting several in real life.
And note that one of my stories here (My most successful one so far) is a GB story, another has a GB villain (not yet introduced here but soon; and kind of a spoiler, the character is bent in more ways than just gender), and another has two bi characters who are a couple.

BL/Boys Love, GL/Girls Love are the labels for those, respectively.

Oh! Thank you very much.

I just don't know much yet on this niche. But I want to be able to write in whatever niche people have needs for. Thank you for helping me with my question.

Am a straight white dude that is 100% aware of what I like and don't like, and the stuff I don't find attractive doesn't offend me.

I've read BL books, I've read GL books. Heck, I write GL books because it's fun.

As for you, it's less about those tags and more about if the story is good. If you make it a full up romance and focus on sexuality, then yeah, you might find yourself more niche and turning some people away.

But, imo, if it's just your characters who might be a dude liking a dude or a chick liking a chick in the background of a fantasy adventure, then the only people you will alienate are those who you're already risking by writing a gender-bender.

Thank you Madmcgee!

 

[Thraben]

If you don't want to be misunderstood, saying 'I don't want to be misunderstood, here is what I think on X' is a surefire, time tested way of clearing up misunderstandings.

 

[melchi]

Creative writing is supposed to be just that.... creative.

I had a very gay friend that had kids and that confused me. However, he said that everyone is a little gay. So if something might fall in that part of the court don't worry about it. If it doesn't work out then can always try again.