MaryAnn Clarke
asked
Michele Fogal:
Tell us about how and why you are compelled as a female writer to empathize and explore and portray the challenging emotional lives of gay men. What research have you done to understand and represent their point of view and do you believe you've been successful?
Michele Fogal
First of all, I feel called to write about queer men. There's a million reasons (below) but perhaps the main one, the hardest one to pin down, is just that... I feel compelled. Writing is half logic, and half magic so let's honour that first.
As for logic, I have LGBTQ members of my family, and am pansexual myself, so that is part of my attraction and interest in queer voices. I also believe that our diversity as people is part of a divine pattern, or a law of nature. The more diverse an ecosystem, the more healthy it is. I believe this to be true for voices in fiction as well. We need diversity not invisibility!
While I don't identify as male, I feel that our world is sadly lacking in male perspectives that include internal monologue and emotional struggle, especially about intimacy and love. I feel as a femme woman, that I've been immersed in the workings of the heart and our relationships for my whole life and have some perspective on these things that might be of use.
I believe that men of the new generations are challenging their toxic inheritance of patriarchy and misogyny, and breaking new ground as friends, fathers, partners, and people. I feel passionate about this cultural shift and want to support it.
As for research, I read, interview people, and watch movies, shows, documentaries, YouTube, etc. Enough? I don't think you ever get to the end of learning. Do I represent men as a whole? No way! I'm not attempting to. I'm hoping to tell a person's story that means something to someone, be they male, female or other rainbowy goodness. I want my work to feel emotionally true, and compelling. I never really know for sure how well I'm doing that, so feel free to let me know. :)
Thanks for your awesome questions, MA!
As for logic, I have LGBTQ members of my family, and am pansexual myself, so that is part of my attraction and interest in queer voices. I also believe that our diversity as people is part of a divine pattern, or a law of nature. The more diverse an ecosystem, the more healthy it is. I believe this to be true for voices in fiction as well. We need diversity not invisibility!
While I don't identify as male, I feel that our world is sadly lacking in male perspectives that include internal monologue and emotional struggle, especially about intimacy and love. I feel as a femme woman, that I've been immersed in the workings of the heart and our relationships for my whole life and have some perspective on these things that might be of use.
I believe that men of the new generations are challenging their toxic inheritance of patriarchy and misogyny, and breaking new ground as friends, fathers, partners, and people. I feel passionate about this cultural shift and want to support it.
As for research, I read, interview people, and watch movies, shows, documentaries, YouTube, etc. Enough? I don't think you ever get to the end of learning. Do I represent men as a whole? No way! I'm not attempting to. I'm hoping to tell a person's story that means something to someone, be they male, female or other rainbowy goodness. I want my work to feel emotionally true, and compelling. I never really know for sure how well I'm doing that, so feel free to let me know. :)
Thanks for your awesome questions, MA!
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