Character Castle 2.0
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@rose-colored-fancy
So I think all of what you said sounds fine. I know that you’re just trying to tell a story about Cal’s pain and how she deals with it, and from the sound of it I think your heart is in the right place 🙂@everyone interesting talk about sexuality for our characters. I have to say that I don’t see any of my characters through those lenses but I do know that due to the terror and truama my characters have lived through, a lot of them have no interest in romance or sex because their instincts have been geared entirely towards survival, their goals and nothing else. I dunno if that counts as asexual? Cause its dark outside forces that have basically put them in difficult positions, thus resulting in permanent truama, and a loss in interest in anything to do with finding love. Lorcan would be one of them, yes he is a flirt and a womaniser and thinks highly of himself, but everything he has endured has mostly wiped away his tendencies to want romance and physical intimacy. And he is too focused on his goals too I guess…
My MC Mayra is also in a strange position regarding physical attraction, though its much much darker, any kind of physical attraction and intimacy towards humans disgusts her because of her severe truama (basically she is a victim of grooming, and physical and verbal abuse, to the point where she doesn’t know the difference between real love and manipulated love) I have not experienced what she has, so I’m a little nervous trying to get her truama and story right.
Anyway my point is that sexuality, identity and romance is most definitely the last thing on all their minds 🙂 I dunno what u guys think
I’m so mad, I had a perfect, GIANT analysis for @rose-colored-fancy, I posted it, edited a misspelling aND STORY EMBERS ATE THE ENTIRE POST 🙁
The basic jist though:
Idk about any of you, but I’m more likely to pray about my writing when I’ve included a touchy subject. However, it occurred to me that there’s a lot that can sneak in with that mindset. I think that a lot of Christians (myself included) tend to be preoccupied with “content” but not necessarily themes and little messages, which can honestly be pretty dangerous. For example, there’s a lot of clean, wholesome Christian romance books that portray a prosperity gospel where a woman’s faith is will be rewarded with a handsome guy (which…talk about objectifying!) Or, things as small as unintelligent characters being fit in this undignified “comic relief” box and not getting any character outside of that – that sends a bad, untruthful message as well! So, I’m learning that I need to be more proactive about praying about my writing, period. Not just praying about how to write Kit. Not just praying about how to include my faith, and how to include God in this world and story He’s given to me. I need to pray about the whole thing (even the parts I might think are perfectly fine), because I’m a sinful and flawed human and God’s perspective is so much bigger and greater than mine. Plus, since He’s all knowing…He knows more about writing than anyone else…so I might as well go to Him for advice on that too XD It’s definitely something I need to practice more, that’s for sure!
ALSO I have since discovered that Kit’s given name is indeed Christopher. Why am I telling you this? Well, for those of you who may have had the misfortune of knowing a certain brat named Basil in the previous generation of castle inhabitants, Kit and Basil are basically adopted brothers at this point and have the absolute FUNNIEST broship dynamic. In fact this broship has officially been given such a cursed name that I had to share it
*DRUMROLL*
Bastopher
I’ll have you all know I had no hand in this.
You’re all welcome
I actually want to (temporarily) bring Basil back just for this challenge ngl. He’s changed a lot since I last had him in here and know for a fact that he could not care less if anyone saw what exactly his biggest regret is because he truly believes he did nothing wrong (honestly given the circumstances…I don’t blame him). I think he’d just come to eat the food and whine at Lord Castle tbh
*laughs as one fey*
WOW! That challenge just went up a notch! This is going to be so good for Jade.
I’m totally fine with Cal staying around. Christian writers definitely need to approach this stuff in a biblical way, acknowledging sin and helping the struggling.
Oh, and by the way, it’s a “used to dance” for me, too. I just remember it vividly and have practiced everything I know at home.
Jade and Rosemary’s story will probably be ready for beta readers in about one and a half years, give or take a little. If you want, I’ll keep you in mind for beta readers.
Yes! 😂 The opposites thing going on with Jade and Ophelia is really interesting! And she has pretty much no clue what makeup is XD.
We are called to be lights in the cosmos.
May your inkwells never run dry!Idk about any of you, but I’m more likely to pray about my writing when I’ve included a touchy subject.
Yes, definitely. And it is really important to do so at other times as you said Your post was great even if Story Embers ate the perfect one. I feel your pain XD it ate one of mine!
We are called to be lights in the cosmos.
May your inkwells never run dry!@irishcelticredflowercrown that’s a really interesting question!
I dunno if that counts as asexual?
Personally, if it’s because of trauma…I’d be inclined to say no? I think it depends on what the reasoning is. If they’re not interested because they’re afraid, I’d say that’s (first of all terribly sad), but it’s also (in theory) reversible if they heal. But then there’s some characters who might’ve been put off of it by trauma, but might not be interested even if they completely healed.
Which…
First of all, that is A LOT of trauma and I’m honestly impressed
Second of all, Mayra’s story in particular really, really fascinates me because I actually do have some knowledge about this! This might be really, really hard, but I think you might want to consider listening to or reading stories of abuse victims, because I think this is pretty common among people who’ve been abused (especially in childhood). Idk if you can stomach it, because I know I sure couldn’t, but if it’s something you think you could handle it might be really insightful!
Idk how much you know already, but people can get locked into a fight or flight response because of physical and/or emotional trauma. One thing that a lot of people don’t know is that trauma sometimes isn’t so much one horrific event as it is a collection of experiences. There’s people who might think they’re doing fine because they were never abused, but continued bad experiences can absolutely wear at your body, and people can and will end up with trauma responses just from that continuous wearing. And it’s so hard to heal if you can’t escape from the situation. Obviously, your characters are in a continuous string of horrific, traumatic events, so imagine how much more that would affect them!
Then, if your characters are neurodivergent or disabled, that could also add another layer onto the circumstantial trauma, since people might not bother to listen to them or try and understand things from their perspective. If they’re neurodivergent, there’s a good chance they perceived the events differently than a neurotypcal person would. I think you once mentioned Mayra having a type of aphasia? I don’t know much about it, so I don’t know if that would effect things. But, say if she were autistic, she might have been manipulated or used repeatedly because she had trouble reading the social cues that would’ve tipped most people off to untrustworthy behavior. Idk if you have any other disabled or neurodivergent characters, but it’s definitely interesting to keep in mind!
Also, Idk why but this idea of Lorcan potentially being asexual is EXTREMELY intriguing! It really suits him? I know you said it’s due to trauma, but the idea of him just not being interested to begin with and STILL flirting with every girl in sight just because he can is honestly pretty hilarious XD It’s an interesting concept, so I wouldn’t discount him just not having that interest to begin with!
*laughs as one fey*
(Also I actually did get your post that SE ate so I’ll be replying to that too, so y’all who didn’t see it can read along XD)
I actually agree with Cathy here – idk why but Cal always seemed just straight up gay to me?
Honestly you two realized it before me so you might even be correct XD
Either way, it’s certainly going to be interesting seeing her interactions with Malcolm. I think it’s going to be awfully hard to write, but the potential here is so good! And it’s a really grounded, realistic struggle/trial for Malcolm, at least especially for Christians in modern America. It’s something I think we’re all going to be confronted by, or have already been confronted by, and I think seeing Christian characters work out these issues in a truthful, loving manner will be really encouraging!
Exactly! I really love that because of this story I can explore it from both perspectives, instead of just one or the other. I feel bad for both of them because it’s so hard for both of them, but I think they’ll be able to make it work out! Plus Malcolm is such a great person, I look forward to seeing how he deals with it.
There there,
they’llwe’ll suffer togetherDo you see how that isn’t comforting 😭
I’ve noticed that the inclusion of touchy subjects has made me turn to Him more concerning my writing, I guess since I feel like there’s more chances to “mess up.” But isn’t that the case with all writing? I think that because there’s some sins and issues in writing that are seen as “worse” (in our cases, writing about homosexuality), we’re more sensitive and more concerned with getting it “right” in God’s eyes. But it occurred to me, it’s something that we should be mindful of when writing, period. When I’m writing “safe” fiction, I think I feel less of a need to include God and ask him what His will and His perspective is, and imo that’s a dangerous slope (at least for me), because it’s ridiculously easy to slip into a habit of leaving Him out completely. I’m not saying that “safe” fiction is bad, but I am saying that it’s a good practice, as Christians, to seek God’s will regarding all aspects of our craft, not just the potentially touchy or “scandalous” parts.
That’s an excellent point, and something I’ve noticed in myself too! It’s almost too easy to push Him to the side when you’re writing about something you feel confident in. Which happens irl too, let’s be honest XD However, now I’ve noticed this, I’m making more of an effort to tell Him about all of my writing and ask for help with that too, not just when I’m struggling with it!
Ok so incoming Haikyuu rant, but one of the things I loved about this series was how it portrayed one of the comedic relief characters – Bokuto – and his utter simplicity of mind. He’s extremely unintelligent, but the narrative never made fun of him or disrespected him at all, and he has amazing character development and a fantastic arc throughout the series. The author was able to play his supreme lack of intelligence for comedy (and it really was funny XD) while never reducing him down to his IQ or forcing him into the “comic relief” box. And that just made me realize, unintelligent characters are really, REALLY disrespected a lot in media. Again, it’s one of those little things that might seem really innocuous, but the message being portrayed is really harmful.
YES!! That was so beautifully done, and being fair to your characters is an important, but really hard part of writing.
For example, I’ve been thinking about how I want to develop Cal, and it wouldn’t be fair to her to have her character arc be getting rid of her attraction. I would never do that to a character with trauma, so why did it occur to me to do it with Cal? It wouldn’t be fair to her as a character, just like it would be unfair to her to reduce her down to just that. She was a character before I discovered that about her, and even though it impacts her in a major way, she should still be a character without it!
Or, how a lot of the casual violence in fantasy and sci-fi actually really does cheapen the inherent value and worth of life (something I’ve personally become more sensitive to as I’ve grown in my faith). Or, how a lot of seemingly clean and wholesome Christian romance novels portray a prosperity gospel in which God rewards a woman’s faith with a handsome guy (which…talk about objectifying). I think that messages come across in a lot of these smaller issues, and so we still have to be on guard even when we’re not dealing with touchy subjects.
Oof, the romance novels are something I’ve noticed too, I just haven’t been able to articulate it! It’s… frustrating to say the least. Obviously, giving a character a happily ever after with a partner and a family is absolutely not a bad thing to write. You definitely have a point! It’s something I haven’t really thought about… That’s really fascinating!
Sorry about the rambling XD I think what I’m trying to say is, talking to God about writing is so important, and even though I tend to ask Him more about the really controversial, hard stuff, I should be lifting all of it up to Him! Not that I’m good at it – it’s something that I really want to improve in and practice more!
Nope, I appreciate the ramble! It was fun to read and very thought-provoking!
*DRUMROLL*
Bastopher
I’ll have you all know I had no hand in this.
You’re all welcome
I did and I’m very proud of it XD I couldn’t have done it alone but I definitely helped XD
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
So I think all of what you said sounds fine. I know that you’re just trying to tell a story about Cal’s pain and how she deals with it, and from the sound of it I think your heart is in the right place
Thanks! I’m glad you want her to stay in as well!
I don’t see any of my characters through those lenses but I do know that due to the terror and truama my characters have lived through, a lot of them have no interest in romance or sex because their instincts have been geared entirely towards survival, their goals and nothing else. I dunno if that counts as asexual?
Oohhh! I have some thoughts! (Like… a lot of thoughts XD)
First of all, I never thought Lorcan would be one of them XD I love that subversion actually!
Lorcan would be one of them, yes he is a flirt and a womanizer and thinks highly of himself, but everything he has endured has mostly wiped away his tendencies to want romance and physical intimacy. And he is too focused on his goals too I guess…
Well, that doesn’t necessarily make him ace, but it doesn’t make him not ace either XD
Allow me to elaborate!
Asexuality/aromanticism (They’re two separate things but they overlap in how they work in many ways) is defined not by how much a character wants it, but more by whether they experience the attraction.
So, a character could want romance and still be aromantic. Vice versa, they could not want romance and be alloromantic. If they experience romantic attraction, they’re allo! (If they experience it in a different way or to a different degree than most people, they’re likely some form of aro-spec) Exact same thing goes for asexuality!
Something that has always helped me with ‘Is this character this sexuality/neurotype or just trauma’ is to imagine them in their most healed state, either if all the bad things hadn’t happened, or if they’ve completely healed from it. Are they still that way?
You remember Aydin, right? He’s an example of a character who is allo but doesn’t feel comfortable with a relationship for a large part of the story. (He eventually slowly heals from this and does end up in a relationship, but that was kinda out of my control XD)
I think what tipped me off that he wasn’t ace was that he did experience attraction, but every time it happens he dismisses it. It still happens, he just chooses not to act on it because he’s scared.
That’s also a completely valid way for a character to handle it! Many characters do.
However, I was thinking about Aydin being autistic, because he has a ton of the traits. (He stims, mostly by tugging on his collar, you’ve seen him do that, he avoids eye contact like his life depends on it, he feels uncomfortable in social situations because he struggles to predict how people will react, he’s anxious because he feels like he might be doing something wrong, he’s constantly trying to figure out what people are thinking but never quite manages it etc. etc.) and I couldn’t imagine him not doing it. If he wasn’t traumatized, it probably wouldn’t have been the exact same way, but it’s still there to a certain degree! I can’t imagine him without it.
So, that’s a thing I discovered after I had him in the castle XD But you can see how differently the two scenarios function!
Also, Lorcan being flirty doesn’t necessarily make him allo XD Actually it would be really fun to see a flirty ace/aro character. Like, he doesn’t want it to turn into a relationship, he just finds it fun/funny to flirt with girls XD
My MC Mayra is also in a strange position regarding physical attraction, though its much much darker, any kind of physical attraction and intimacy towards humans disgusts her because of her severe truama (basically she is a victim of grooming, and physical and verbal abuse, to the point where she doesn’t know the difference between real love and manipulated love)
First of all, I feel so bad for her😭😭 That’s an awful backstory.
As for that being ace, again, it doesn’t make her ace but it doesn’t make her not ace XD
Being repulsed by romance/intimacy can and does overlap with asexuality/aromanticism, but just because they’re the one doesn’t mean they’re the other. They can be repulsed by it but still experience attraction or they can not experience attraction and be repulsed by it, or not experience attraction and not be repulsed by it! It’s kinda like a Venn diagram I guess XD
Also just going to add to something @Calidris said!
Personally, if it’s because of trauma…I’d be inclined to say no? I think it depends on what the reasoning is. If they’re not interested because they’re afraid, I’d say that’s (first of all terribly sad), but it’s also (in theory) reversible if they heal. But then there’s some characters who might’ve been put off of it by trauma, but might not be interested even if they completely healed.
She basically said what I did, just in a much more concise way XD
I would like to add that trauma/other factors can cause asexuality/aromanticism, and it can change later, but that doesn’t make it less ace/aro at the time.
Basically, the only thing you really need to know about it is that asexuality and aromanticism are defined by the absence of sexual/romantic attraction. That’s it XD
Honestly, I could have just said that and spared you the infodump but I dearly love elaborating and I make that everyone else’s problem XD
Anyway… way more information than you need because this is something I find very interesting XD
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
I’m totally fine with Cal staying around. Christian writers definitely need to approach this stuff in a biblical way, acknowledging sin and helping the struggling.
Awesome, I’m so glad!
Oh, and by the way, it’s a “used to dance” for me, too. I just remember it vividly and have practiced everything I know at home.
That’s cool! It’s awesome that you got the opportunity to do it, even if it was just for a while 😀
Jade and Rosemary’s story will probably be ready for beta readers in about one and a half years, give or take a little. If you want, I’ll keep you in mind for beta readers.
YES please do!! I love beta-reading and it sounds fabulous! I’ll make time for it!
Yes! The opposites thing going on with Jade and Ophelia is really interesting! And she has pretty much no clue what makeup is XD.
I love seeing them interact because Jade is not unlike one of my other characters, Athena, who is Ophelia’s best friend. Jade is different in a lot of ways but they have a similar attitude! It’s helping me develop their dynamic as well, in a roundabout way!
Loll, that’ll be so fun XD
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
Absolutely leave Cal in! I’m just getting to know her. <3 It seems to make sense with her character arc, though it might be sort of stereotypical to have the church reject her. Maybe not, though. Maybe I’m just really blessed with the kind of church I go to, and it actually happens all the time. I certainly have heard that it’s a real problem in the church. Being in the castle should hopefully provide you with a group of Christians that can help you with her development before you launch off into the book on your own. 🙂 Keep praying, and be careful are my only two advices on writing her. (I don’t think “advices” is a word, lol).
I personally would shy away from reading a book with a queer character, even if it was from a Christian perspective. Not because I hate people who struggle in this area, or because I think it’s not an area that needs addressing. It absolutely needs addressing, and people who struggle with this absolutely need loving, just like any other sinner in this world. It’s just that for myself personally, I have no need for a character like that (not struggling myself, nor do I really know anyone who’s struggling in this way). If I were, I think I would tend to get my advice from non-fiction, rather than from fiction, because I use fiction as a way to escape from my own problems, and the problems of the world.
NOW, all that being said, I think I’m beginning to realize something: the more I read contemporary fiction, the more I find that I don’t like characters with struggles. (Like, hey! I’m a writer, so HOW CAN I NOT LIKE CHARACTERS WITH STRUGGLES?! EVERY PIECE OF WRITING ADVICE EVER TELLS YOU TO HAVE CHARACTERS WITH STRUGGLES!) I’m a story-first person (fun fact: only 25% of women are. The other 75% are character driven), and tend to look on modern characters and their struggles as getting in the way of the plot. So maybe that’s it. (seriously, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ll be reading along in some book and this character is going through something, and I’m just like, “Yeah, get over it. I want to get on to the rest of the book”…I feel a little sadistic).
…so. You didn’t ask for any of this and I kind of dumped it on you. I hope this post helps you and is enlightening, not obscuring. I wish you and all the others in this castle the best with your characters! You guys all rock and if the Lord is calling you to write characters with LGTB struggles, listen to his calling. Watch for his guidance and write for him! <3
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by .
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comAbsolutely leave Cal in! I’m just getting to know her. <3
Awesome! I’m glad 😀
It seems to make sense with her character arc, though it might be sort of stereotypical to have the church reject her. Maybe not, though. Maybe I’m just really blessed with the kind of church I go to, and it actually happens all the time. I certainly have heard that it’s a real problem in the church.
You’re right, it is something of a frequent thing in fiction, but I still think it’s what works best for her. I think I decided on this because I’ve seen similar things happen.
Being in the castle should hopefully provide you with a group of Christians that can help you with her development before you launch off into the book on your own. Keep praying, and be careful are my only two advices on writing her. (I don’t think “advices” is a word, lol).
That’s exactly why I asked about this, I really love hearing y’all’s opinions on this! That’s excellent advice, and I’ll definitely take it 🙂
I personally would shy away from reading a book with a queer character, even if it was from a Christian perspective. Not because I hate people who struggle in this area, or because I think it’s not an area that needs addressing. It absolutely needs addressing, and people who struggle with this absolutely need loving, just like any other sinner in this world. It’s just that for myself personally, I have no need for a character like that (not struggling myself, nor do I really know anyone who’s struggling in this way). If I were, I think I would tend to get my advice from non-fiction, rather than from fiction, because I use fiction as a way to escape from my own problems, and the problems of the world.
And that’s valid as well! I completely understand where you’re coming from.
I often use fiction to figure out things I don’t understand, in reading, and more especially in writing. For me, there’s no other way I can completely view a problem from all aspects, and through someone else’s perspective. I think that’s why my writing so often veers into darker subject matter, and for that matter, so does my reading XD
I’m a story-first person (fun fact: only 25% of women are. The other 75% are character driven), and tend to look on modern characters and their struggles as getting in the way of the plot. So maybe that’s it. (seriously, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ll be reading along in some book and this character is going through something, and I’m just like, “Yeah, get over it. I want to get on to the rest of the book”…I feel a little sadistic).
I’m the exact opposite XD I still have like… maybe two plot points for Murder of Swans and a vague premise XD I live for complex character issues, I’m completely happy with ‘nothing happens’ stories if the characters are interesting enough. However, if they’re not, I get the exact same feeling of “Get over it” XD
…so. You didn’t ask for any of this and I kind of dumped it on you. I hope this post helps you and is enlightening, not obscuring. I wish you and all the others in this castle the best with your characters! You guys all rock and if the Lord is calling you to write characters with LGTB struggles, listen to his calling. Watch for his guidance and write for him! <3
I loved reading it! Thanks for your input, it was very interesting and encouraging!<3
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
And that’s valid as well! I completely understand where you’re coming from. I often use fiction to figure out things I don’t understand, in reading, and more especially in writing. For me, there’s no other way I can completely view a problem from all aspects, and through someone else’s perspective. I think that’s why my writing so often veers into darker subject matter, and for that matter, so does my reading XD
Oh, that totally makes sense–you put that beautifully. I think I’ve done that a couple of times, but mostly I read things to get away, or to study story and character structure. That has consumed my movie-watching as well. I still enjoy it, but I find myself analyzing it. 🙂
I’m the exact opposite XD I still have like… maybe two plot points for Murder of Swans and a vague premise XD I live for complex character issues, I’m completely happy with ‘nothing happens’ stories if the characters are interesting enough. However, if they’re not, I get the exact same feeling of “Get over it” XD
Most women are! My sister certainly is. I don’t think I’m as void of character-sensitive ability as I thought at first, though. I took SE’s “writer’s weakness quiz” and they said I was weakest on my Theme. Which makes sense, because I don’t really notice or care about theme. Some books I’m really invested in the characters! I think those tend to be older books though. Like A Tale of Two Cities. BEST. CHARACTER. I’VE. EVER. MET. (Okay Emily, stop fangirling, lol) Do you have a certain book/character you especially resonate with?
I loved reading it! Thanks for your input, it was very interesting and encouraging!<3
Score! I’m glad.
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comPersonally, if it’s because of trauma…I’d be inclined to say no? I think it depends on what the reasoning is. If they’re not interested because they’re afraid, I’d say that’s (first of all terribly sad), but it’s also (in theory) reversible if they heal. But then there’s some characters who might’ve been put off of it by trauma, but might not be interested even if they completely healed.
I think for most of my characters its not fear based, its kind of just a mindset of, I have more important responsibilities so that is not in my future sort of thing. Honestly they would all be capable of romance and attraction were it not for the truama. For example – Mayra, Finbar, Liadán and Daire have all basically been exposed to the terrors of war and genocide, and then after that forms of abuse and prejudice, so I think they more or less feel that they are incapable of love or attraction. They are part of the rebellion against the ones in power, so in a way their mindset is that we will give our lives so that others can live. Aka unconsciously sacrifice any hint of attraction or desire for physical intimacy for the greater good. And I emphasise the word unconscious because it was never a vocalised unanimous decision, it was simply a subsequent result of being born into a war none of them asked for.
First of all, that is A LOT of trauma and I’m honestly impressed
It is a lot haha, sometimes I wonder am I totally aware of what I have signed up for. But to be honest, all my characters are a study of the human psyche, because each of them react differently to truama. And there is also a character who I will not name but he/she has a negative character arc. Like a downward spiral arc similar to Anakin Skywalker or Eren Yeager. It’s not easy knowing the dark path my character will choose, its gonna be hard, but I really want to do it.
Second of all, Mayra’s story in particular really, really fascinates me because I actually do have some knowledge about this! This might be really, really hard, but I think you might want to consider listening to or reading stories of abuse victims, because I think this is pretty common among people who’ve been abused (especially in childhood). Idk if you can stomach it, because I know I sure couldn’t, but if it’s something you think you could handle it might be really insightful!
Yeah I do agree with that point, I have done some research into abuse victims and I will continue to do that. It is hard to do it, but at this rate, there is honestly so much evil in this world I kind of have to stomach it. This is my personal view, you can disagree with me of course, but in my opinion, if I am not willing to confront the worst of humanity then I am choosing to live inside a safe bubble. I know people who are like oh no I can’t watch films about nazi germany its just so awful I can’t stomach it. I mean I do understand that. But there’s a reason those films are always being made, its because we should never allow ourselves to forget about what happened or avoid the topic when it suits us. And I think today it is so so easy to just brush a topic aside, like oh yes thats very tragic, by the way did you hear about that new restaurant in town, I heard its great! I’m not saying everyone is like that, I’m just saying that this world makes it easy for us to look over things. Those are my thoughts on that anyway 🙂
Idk how much you know already, but people can get locked into a fight or flight response because of physical and/or emotional trauma. One thing that a lot of people don’t know is that trauma sometimes isn’t so much one horrific event as it is a collection of experiences. There’s people who might think they’re doing fine because they were never abused, but continued bad experiences can absolutely wear at your body, and people can and will end up with trauma responses just from that continuous wearing. And it’s so hard to heal if you can’t escape from the situation. Obviously, your characters are in a continuous string of horrific, traumatic events, so imagine how much more that would affect them!
Yes that certainly sounds like most of my characters!
Then, if your characters are neurodivergent or disabled, that could also add another layer onto the circumstantial trauma, since people might not bother to listen to them or try and understand things from their perspective. If they’re neurodivergent, there’s a good chance they perceived the events differently than a neurotypcal person would. I think you once mentioned Mayra having a type of aphasia? I don’t know much about it, so I don’t know if that would effect things. But, say if she were autistic, she might have been manipulated or used repeatedly because she had trouble reading the social cues that would’ve tipped most people off to untrustworthy behavior. Idk if you have any other disabled or neurodivergent characters, but it’s definitely interesting to keep in mind!
Thats a very good point actually! Yes she does have a mild form of aphasia, meaning she has trouble speaking and coming up with responses. I have to say I have not considered that angle before. Generally she is being used and manipulated because of many reasons. Firstly, she has this core belief that she has to serve the powerful in order to survive. Secondly, she feels obliged to be loyal and grateful to her benefactor/abuser because he picked her up off the streets and gave her a ‘home’. Thirdly, her magic is what gives him power and prestige. I would say that her inability to speak properly gives him further advantage over her, so she ends up relying on him a lot to communicate for her.
Also, Idk why but this idea of Lorcan potentially being asexual is EXTREMELY intriguing! It really suits him? I know you said it’s due to trauma, but the idea of him just not being interested to begin with and STILL flirting with every girl in sight just because he can is honestly pretty hilarious XD It’s an interesting concept, so I wouldn’t discount him just not having that interest to begin with!
It is funny the more I think about it😂 I think it makes sense for him, thats not to say he doesn’t find women beautiful, he is just mostly not attracted to them. Its also not to say that he is not capable of romance full stop – and I will stop talking now before I say too much XD
That was so long, I apologise, I just felt I needed a good response haha
I would say it’s just fine to have characters in a story, or a whole story that is completely uninterested in finding love for whatever reasons.
I think to a certain extent dividing and sub-dividing the question of romance and sexuality isn’t necessary. It’s only been in recent years (relatively speaking) that people have searched so hard to try and find a label for every aspect of human sexuality.
What I’m trying to say (“trying” is a good word for me, lol) is that maybe this question isn’t something you need to worry about in your story. I would advise you to just write your characters however they want to be written, and does it really matter if you call them “asexual” or “not interested”? They’re content (or even not content) with continence, for whatever reason. I really don’t think it matters if you put a name on it or not. (as Shakespeare says “What’s in a name?”)
Ooff, yeah. I feel you as far as Myra goes. That would be tricky. Research, care, and prayer would all be good approaches. Talking to people who have experienced it or something similar to it would also be helpful, though I can understand if you don’t want to for obvious reasons.
Also, on a totally unrelated note: Do you recognize these lyrics? I’m learning a song and I thought of you. This is verse one:
Bimse buan ar buairt gach lo,
Ag caoi gi crya is ag touar na ndeor
Mar scaoileadh uaim an buachaill beo
us ba ruinhtar tuairisc uaidh, mo bhronQuoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comI would say it’s just fine to have characters in a story, or a whole story that is completely uninterested in finding love for whatever reasons.
I think to a certain extent dividing and sub-dividing the question of romance and sexuality isn’t necessary. It’s only been in recent years (relatively speaking) that people have searched so hard to try and find a label for every aspect of human sexuality.
What I’m trying to say (“trying” is a good word for me, lol) is that maybe this question isn’t something you need to worry about in your story. I would advise you to just write your characters however they want to be written, and does it really matter if you call them “asexual” or “not interested”? Maybe they’re just content with continence.
I agree with what you’re saying, I guess it was just the topic of conversation so I got on board with it but honestly, the sexuality and romance of my characters is the least of my concerns (at this rate there may only be one big love story). My characters aren’t defined by who they’re attracted to, so its definitely not a question that I’m very concerned with 🙂
Also, on a totally unrelated note: Do you recognize these lyrics? I’m learning a song and I thought of you. This is verse one:
Bimse buan ar buairt gach lo,
Ag caoi gi crya is ag touar na ndeor
Mar scaoileadh uaim an buachaill beo
us ba ruinhtar tuairisc uaidh, mo bhronThats Mo Ghile Mear! One of my favourite Irish songs. It was written in the 17th century during the Jacobite uprising and its basically a lament that Bonnie Prince Charles never became king. There was this whole civil war in Great Britain because Charles was meant to be king, but he was Catholic. The Scottish and Irish supported him but the English didn’t, thus war erupted. Sorry that was a random history lesson lol
Aw I’m glad that it made you think of me haha😄 Irish songs are my favourite and actually play a big part in the magic system of my story
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