I think this is a marvelous idea, for all the reasons you stated. Of course, some people will probably doubt that the character/s in The Drowning Girl: A Memoir are lesbians specifically because they were not explicitly told. I recall some readers of Poppy Z. Brite's Liquor insisting that Ricky and G-man were straight, even though the text explicitly said that they loved each other, lived together, and sucked each other's cocks. But I don't think either character ever said, "By the way, I'm a homosexual," so I guess it was ambiguous.
You may be right, but it's not my problem.
Glad to hear the doctor's appointment went as well as it did. Speaking of aquariums, I feel like I saw you post this aquarium video before
It occurred to me, yesterday, that I read novels about heterosexual characters, and the word heterosexual, or even straight, never appears, unless it's used to set the characters apart from queers.
I had a similar realization when I read, of all things, the Twin Peaks tie-in book The Autobiography of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper: My Life, My Tapes. Younger Dale Cooper, already in the habit of tape-recording his thoughts as well as being observant, often makes it a point to mention if someone involved in an event he's witnessed is white. Reminded me that a lot of white authors wouldn't bother noting that; cultural assumption reasons. Something I'd likely been assuming most of my reading life, being a white man (also a straight man -- though not always an obvious one -- and a cis man). I like to think I pay better attention now. And I try to assume less, just in general.
This is a trickier matter. Race, I mean. Readers need to form a mental image of a character's appearance, and so need, somehow to be told the character's race. But, if we are told someone is black, we should also be told someone else is white. But maybe that's what you were saying.
It will be perfectly obvious (except maybe to morons) that Imp is a lesbian.
But, if we are told someone is black, we should also be told someone else is white. But maybe that's what you were saying.
Yes.
This is a trickier matter. Race, I mean.
Yeah, I didn't want to make it sound equivalent. It relates to context, but from two different directions: context we probably should get but don't always (my example), context we don't need (your example; also cf. any "As you know, Bob..." speech that's ever been badly written).
Looking forward to seeing how you make this book work.
What other accoutrements will the platypus turn out to have? Sting-hairs? Wings? Extendable eyes? And if he gets old, will he ever need cybernetic implants?
What other accoutrements will the platypus turn out to have? Sting-hairs? Wings? Extendable eyes? And if he gets old, will he ever need cybernetic implants?
(Maybe you can distract him by claiming he needs a duckbill polish. Get him online on another computer and watch him get lost in Google and bother you less.)
P.S. I wrote the above, then I thought of the term "platypus manscaping." This is my mind. It's been pulling shit like this for 37 years.
You should see the ravens we have up here in alaska. We're talking enormous black birds the size of small dogs. They're pretty impressive and everywhere.
Would you mind elaborating on the questgiver in Shadowmoon? "I was a lot of things..." sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it.
I think its a good idea taking out the word "lesbian" from your book. I mean, it makes sense. The more you break down the "us and them" mentality, the more difficult it is to relate to eachother. The world need needs less Us and Them and more We. If that makes any sense.
You should see the ravens we have up here in alaska. We're talking enormous black birds the size of small dogs. They're pretty impressive and everywhere.
I have a book on ravens, and many of the photos were taken in Alaska. There's a great one of a raven harassing a bald eagle.
Would you mind elaborating on the questgiver in Shadowmoon? "I was a lot of things..." sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it.
Comments 38
(The comment has been removed)
I think this is a marvelous idea, for all the reasons you stated. Of course, some people will probably doubt that the character/s in The Drowning Girl: A Memoir are lesbians specifically because they were not explicitly told. I recall some readers of Poppy Z. Brite's Liquor insisting that Ricky and G-man were straight, even though the text explicitly said that they loved each other, lived together, and sucked each other's cocks. But I don't think either character ever said, "By the way, I'm a homosexual," so I guess it was ambiguous.
You may be right, but it's not my problem.
Glad to hear the doctor's appointment went as well as it did. Speaking of aquariums, I feel like I saw you post this aquarium video before
No, I've not. Thank you!
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(The comment has been removed)
I would love to see that aquarium in person; I could probably spend hours just watching.
Indeed. Alas, I fear I'll never be able to visit Japan.
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Thank you.
Reply
I had a similar realization when I read, of all things, the Twin Peaks tie-in book The Autobiography of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper: My Life, My Tapes. Younger Dale Cooper, already in the habit of tape-recording his thoughts as well as being observant, often makes it a point to mention if someone involved in an event he's witnessed is white. Reminded me that a lot of white authors wouldn't bother noting that; cultural assumption reasons. Something I'd likely been assuming most of my reading life, being a white man (also a straight man -- though not always an obvious one -- and a cis man). I like to think I pay better attention now. And I try to assume less, just in general.
Reply
And I try to assume less, just in general.
This is a trickier matter. Race, I mean. Readers need to form a mental image of a character's appearance, and so need, somehow to be told the character's race. But, if we are told someone is black, we should also be told someone else is white. But maybe that's what you were saying.
It will be perfectly obvious (except maybe to morons) that Imp is a lesbian.
Reply
Yes.
This is a trickier matter. Race, I mean.
Yeah, I didn't want to make it sound equivalent. It relates to context, but from two different directions: context we probably should get but don't always (my example), context we don't need (your example; also cf. any "As you know, Bob..." speech that's ever been badly written).
Looking forward to seeing how you make this book work.
Reply
The platypus compels you with his venomous spurs.
What other accoutrements will the platypus turn out to have? Sting-hairs? Wings? Extendable eyes? And if he gets old, will he ever need cybernetic implants?
Reply
What other accoutrements will the platypus turn out to have? Sting-hairs? Wings? Extendable eyes? And if he gets old, will he ever need cybernetic implants?
For now, the venomous spurs suit him well.
Reply
(Maybe you can distract him by claiming he needs a duckbill polish. Get him online on another computer and watch him get lost in Google and bother you less.)
P.S. I wrote the above, then I thought of the term "platypus manscaping." This is my mind. It's been pulling shit like this for 37 years.
Reply
manscaping
????????
Reply
Would you mind elaborating on the questgiver in Shadowmoon? "I was a lot of things..." sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it.
I think its a good idea taking out the word "lesbian" from your book. I mean, it makes sense. The more you break down the "us and them" mentality, the more difficult it is to relate to eachother. The world need needs less Us and Them and more We. If that makes any sense.
Reply
You should see the ravens we have up here in alaska. We're talking enormous black birds the size of small dogs. They're pretty impressive and everywhere.
I have a book on ravens, and many of the photos were taken in Alaska. There's a great one of a raven harassing a bald eagle.
Would you mind elaborating on the questgiver in Shadowmoon? "I was a lot of things..." sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it.
Here.
Reply
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