Dealing with politically sensitive issues in your Writing
Two things. Firstly I wanted to say there is a Hurley character discussion posted and it's only had two responses so far. Don't forget to show the big guy some love!
Secondly, I wanted some thoughts from my fellow writers on dealing with so-called politically-charged issues in your writing. Things like portrayal of gender, race, sexuality, etc. This is something that I'm currently reflecting on in both my original and fanfic writing. Now it may be that when you are being creative you don't think of these things as "issues" (I often don't). But the critical reader might analysise over what your writing is saying about these issues. There has already been much debate on Lost forums about how these particular issues are handled in the show. But how do you feel that you handle them in your own writing?
1) Gender. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Do you feel your male and female characters have equality in terms of character strength and status? Do you write for one gender more so than the other or do you write both equally? Have you ever written a transgendered character?
2) Sexuality. Have you written sexual or romantic scenes for het, gay and lesbian pairings? Which do you write the most and why? Are you interested in queer theory? Do you think your own sexuality influences the portrayal of your character's sexualities?
3) Race. Have you written characters of different races and nationalities to yourself? How do you deal with portraying their cultural identity while avoiding racial stereotypes? Have you ever dealt with race or racism as a theme?
4) Religion. How do you deal with religious themes and religious characters? Does your own belief system influence how you portray religion or spirituality in your writing? How do you feel about writing atheist characters?
5) Disabilities. Have you ever written a character with a disability? How do you feel a disability impacts on the character's portrayal? Do you feel it is more important to portray disabilities with realism or with delicacy?
Don't feel you have to answer on all of these topics (unless you want to). Just pick the ones relevant to your own writing.
Also feel free to discuss any other specific issues you have tackled within your writing.
Secondly, I wanted some thoughts from my fellow writers on dealing with so-called politically-charged issues in your writing. Things like portrayal of gender, race, sexuality, etc. This is something that I'm currently reflecting on in both my original and fanfic writing. Now it may be that when you are being creative you don't think of these things as "issues" (I often don't). But the critical reader might analysise over what your writing is saying about these issues. There has already been much debate on Lost forums about how these particular issues are handled in the show. But how do you feel that you handle them in your own writing?
1) Gender. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Do you feel your male and female characters have equality in terms of character strength and status? Do you write for one gender more so than the other or do you write both equally? Have you ever written a transgendered character?
2) Sexuality. Have you written sexual or romantic scenes for het, gay and lesbian pairings? Which do you write the most and why? Are you interested in queer theory? Do you think your own sexuality influences the portrayal of your character's sexualities?
3) Race. Have you written characters of different races and nationalities to yourself? How do you deal with portraying their cultural identity while avoiding racial stereotypes? Have you ever dealt with race or racism as a theme?
4) Religion. How do you deal with religious themes and religious characters? Does your own belief system influence how you portray religion or spirituality in your writing? How do you feel about writing atheist characters?
5) Disabilities. Have you ever written a character with a disability? How do you feel a disability impacts on the character's portrayal? Do you feel it is more important to portray disabilities with realism or with delicacy?
Don't feel you have to answer on all of these topics (unless you want to). Just pick the ones relevant to your own writing.
Also feel free to discuss any other specific issues you have tackled within your writing.