Characters

[brightlotusmoon]

Someone who was beta reading my novel once made this comment in her email to me: "Wow, I didn't know Kara is bisexual. You should write more about that, otherwise how will people know

Comments

[tokio]

Nope, I don't even think about it. You're right. It has nothing to do with anything unless an ex-partner shows back up, and even then the focus should be more on character/relationship development than the issue of non-heterosexuality. If someone were assuming Kara is straight, and it is confirmed, would they really want an explanation or believe that Kara's heterosexuality shapes her personality? I would seriously doubt it, and I find that heterocentric double standard insulting.

[brightlotusmoon]

Heterocentric double standard - yep. I find it insulting, too.

[brightlotusmoon]

I have a lot of little conversations between the characters, and they talk about personal things. Kara mentions something that happened in her past, and an ex-girlfriend was involved. It's one of those "filler scenes" that gives insights into the characters without exposition.

[brightlotusmoon]

Cool. :) I don't like too much heavy exposition, so I try to work information into dialogue, or journal entries.

[fire_my_spirit]

Depends on the character. Some people -- and likewise, some characters -- define themselves at least in part by their sexuality. Perhaps a homosexual character has had to deal with a lot of personal upset because their family disapproved of this part of them and it contributed to their rebellious spirit, in the story. Perhaps a bisexual character always found that though they were attracted to only one gender they wanted relationships with only the other and now that's changing, in the story. Perhaps a heterosexual character sleeps with everyone available to them in an attempt to destroy themselves, in the story

[gwynethfar]

I guess you would want to find a balance between "Is that a typo and she meant boyfriend" and "Ugh, enough with the bisexual already it doesn't even have anything to do with the story."

[brightlotusmoon]

I like this. Thanks.

[snowcoma]

Personally, I'm overjoyed when I come across a bisexual in literature or television. I feel so marginalized sometimes, what with the existence of bisexuals either being completely ignored or used as shorthand for "this person is deranged/emotionally manipulative/wildly promiscuous". When I find a bi character whose sexuality is just a part of who they are, I feel a bit of kinship, and it's easier to remind myself that the world will accept us, it's just a matter of time.

[evieeros]

Drive by Real Bisexual Person love! We DO exist!

[chiyo_no_saru]

THIS.

Also, your icon is BEAUTIFUL.

[sidheblessed]

This. 100% this.