Questions + Answers

[Sofia, duckish things]

Here's a place for aspiring writers to ask other writers/readers/reviewers questions!

[Sofia, duckish things]

I have a question for any asexual/aromantic readers. I'm trying to write an aroace character, and I've been doing a lot of research, but I would really appreciate it if someone gave me an account of what it's like to be asexual or aromantic or both. Are there any struggles? Do you ever feel like you're missing out? Any joys? If you don't feel comfortable discussing this in a public discussion, feel free to shoot me a PM. Thank you so much!!

[[deleted user]]

Hmm, I'm not aromantic or asexual, but I recommend reading books about people who are! the first one I thought of was Loveless

[Sofia, duckish things]

Great! Thanks, Nikki.

[Catalina]

Does anyone have any tips for how to describe a character when they’re first introduced? My descriptions always just turn into lists: “he had a pink Mickey Mouse shirt, a large pointy hat and a prominent monobrow.” I need a new format!

[Avery]

@catalina I find it super helpful to create a list of defining traits, features and goals for the character, then subtley sneak them in during the characters first appearance. Writing about a specifically noticeable feature or small quirk and expression will create a softer introduction and limit the amount of information that reads get all at once. I've heard from other writers that slowly bring out unique traits during a story will help readers be more intrigued and interested in your character. Mention an eye color or specific look on their face. Even just writing about one specific piece of clothing that contributes to who they are as a character is a great start. Hope that helps!! :) (sorry for writing so much lol)

[Ayesha]

You should make a question answer place separately for readers too !

[Sofia, duckish things]

I agree with Avery!

[the bard]

@sofia
hi! i'm your ace ace buddy! i'm not aro, though. just to start off, you should be aware that there are different types of asexuals: repulsed, tolerant, and non-craving. i'm repulsed. i skip scenes in movies and book with too much suggestive language or if they start doing stuff (acomaf, looking at you). my ex would say stuff to me that made me uncomfortable, and any time i protested, they would say i needed to "loosen up," or "take a joke." it was disgusting. my friends will tell me jokes or say stuff that gross me out, so i have to give them a nervous smile and laugh or they'll press the issue or assume i'm in a bad mood. i don't have many friends, so i don't have much of a choice. then there's religion. people telling you you need to multiply (vomit), and if you speak up, you're shunned and/or excommunicated. family asks about grandkids. what will they do when you tell them you won't have them (you can adopt, but this can be a hard and expensive process)? it's hard for me to watch shows like friends where sex is a main point lf the show. that's disgusting to me. sex ed was hard for me to go through. it's necessary, but it disgusted me. the thought of genitalia grosses me out (why can't we be like dolls and just be flat). i wouldn't say i feel like i'm missing out. i don't understand how everyone else has this craving and does things to satisfy it, that seems weird to me. how do you have time for anyone else? hope this helped! if you have any other questions, feel free to ask:)

[Sofia, duckish things]

Thank you so much for responding, Kennedy! That clarifies a lot.

[the bard]

no problem, any time <3

[Felix]

Sofia wrote: "I have a question for any asexual/aromantic readers. I'm trying to write an aroace character, and I've been doing a lot of research, but I would really appreciate it if someone gave me an account o..."

I am both aro and ace, so let me see if I can help you. Kennedy covered asexuality already, so I'll focus on aromanticism.
No, I don't feel like I'm missing out, especially not about sex (I am also sex-repulsed). I do feel a little left out when people talk about dating and crushes, but that's just because everyone is expected to want romance, not because I feel "incomplete" or anything like that.

I highly recommend the bookThe Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality if you'd like more information.

I hope that helped, and if you need any clarification or if you have any questions, feel free to ask me :)

[Sofia, duckish things]

That definitely cleared things up. Thanks, Tiffany.

[Felix]

You're welcome, glad it helped.

[Catalina]

@Avery thank you, all of that advice is helpful! (One exception only: I have forsworn mentioning eye colour when writing POV until the characters are standing close enough and making eye contact for long enough to actually notice the colour to make it more realistic).

Also thank you everyone who explained about aro/ace, I also had similar questions but Sofia got there first and I’m glad to have this info ;)

[Unknown Reviews]

Sofia, I can't wait to read your writing. I already know it's going to be so good!

[Sofia, duckish things]

Unknown Reviews wrote: "Sofia, I can't wait to read your writing. I already know it's going to be so good!"

Thank you so much! 😁

[[deleted user]]

My question is similiar to Catalina's, how do you make it evident that a character is POC? I have a lot of POC characters in my mind, but some of my beta readers say that they didn't know that about my characters. So when I'm writing POC characters, how do I state it enough times in a not-annoying way so that my readers get that in their head? Sorry if this is a weird question.

[Sofia, duckish things]

I think people get very nervous about writing a POC character because they want that character to feel special. Different. Just describe them as you would anyone else, and that might help.

[Sofia, duckish things]

I hope that makes sense.

[Sofia, duckish things]

I would say don't overemphasize the fact that they're a POC. Don't repeat it over and over, or people would feel like you were shoving the fact on them. That's my only advice :)

[[deleted user]]

If you're writing first person POC or even if you're not, maybe just read a lot of books by people of the race your character belongs to. I personally don't think all POCs need to have a racial struggle, but if it fits with your story, childhood situations with family or in general, are a good way to show not tell. Hope this helps :)

[Sofia, duckish things]

I think people of color are often used as a plot device, or just to add diversity. I don't want to say treat it like a casual thing, because it's not, but make it feel like their race is an integral part of them

[[deleted user]]

Thanks for your help everyone! @sofia I know what you mean, and I don't want poc characters to be there just for the sake of it, i think it makes my characters more realistic. And yeah, I need to find a balance where i don't shove things down the throat of my readers (i do that a lot) but it's also not something that only exists in my head. (I also do that a lot.)

@petite draig my main character will probably be my race or something similar, but a lot of my side characters I want to do more research on. Thank you!

[dorian ♕]

Question for any Muslim oomfs: I want to write a muslim character, but I don't want it to be....like, stereotypical, or have her become different after meeting her love interest (like, she gives her religion and all that) how do I go about this?

[dorian ♕]

Nikki wrote: "My question is similiar to Catalina's, how do you make it evident that a character is POC? I have a lot of POC characters in my mind, but some of my beta readers say that they didn't know that abou..."

I mean, as long as you don't make it a plot device (unless it's important to the story, like they face racism or summ) just state it normally. It doesn't matter that their POC, it matters that they;re human and realistic.

[Annie]

Someone once told me to write what you've felt before. So you can write about things you haven't experienced, but not feelings you can't relate to.

[Sofia, duckish things]

That's really smart.

[[deleted user]]

Does anyone have advice on how to make the villain more annoying? I want mine to be the type of villain you scream at despite it being 3 am.

[Sofia, duckish things]

Writer.Reader.Dreamer wrote: "Does anyone have advice on how to make the villain more annoying? I want mine to be the type of villain you scream at despite it being 3 am."

Have them play with, humiliate, and trick the protagonist time and time again, but don't make the protagonist too dumb. Just make them annoyingly clever.
Or you could go the other route and make them so cheesy that everyone hates them, but that's probably not what you're going for.

[[deleted user]]

Sofia wrote: "Writer.Reader.Dreamer wrote: "Does anyone have advice on how to make the villain more annoying? I want mine to be the type of villain you scream at despite it being 3 am."

Have them play with, hum..."

Haha, yep. I think I've done a little bit of that in the first book in my series. I'll continue to do more of it in the second one!! Thank you, Sofia :)

[Sofia, duckish things]

ooo have you published a book???

[[deleted user]]

Me? No. I really really want to, but I have to ~edit~ first which I've already done some of, but I need ~someone else~ to help me edit so yeah. TwT

[ATheReader]

Ahhh I really need to edit the copy you sent me. Remind me in about 2 hours and I’ll have free time to read the first few chapters.

[[deleted user]]

Omg, thank you! I don't wanna pressure you into doing it or anything but I'd super really appreciated it lots! And you can be super harsh on my draft, that might actually be better haha.

[ATheReader]

I’ll do it soon! I just didn’t have time because of school. I’ll be constructive, but your first chapter is really good :p

[Sofia, duckish things]

Writer.Reader.Dreamer wrote: "Me? No. I really really want to, but I have to ~edit~ first which I've already done some of, but I need ~someone else~ to help me edit so yeah. TwT"

Oh wait I remember in your friend request you said something about a writing group? Could I have an invite?

[[deleted user]]

Sofia wrote: "Writer.Reader.Dreamer wrote: "Me? No. I really really want to, but I have to ~edit~ first which I've already done some of, but I need ~someone else~ to help me edit so yeah. TwT"

Oh wait I remembe..."

Oh yeah, definitely!

[[deleted user]]

Hmm, it says I already invited you. Maybe check my profile so that you can join ¯\_(ツ)_/¯? The group is called Writers. (WOW I'm so creative)

[[deleted user]]

I'll change the name, haha!

[[deleted user]]

Here's the link to join! Hopefully it helps :)))
https://www.goodreads.com/group/invit...

[[deleted user]]

ATheReader wrote: "I’ll do it soon! I just didn’t have time because of school. I’ll be constructive, but your first chapter is really good :p"

Thank you, A! I'm soooo glad you enjoyed it :)