- Joined
- Jun 26, 2013
- Messages
- 88
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- 10
Hi there,
I need a little help.
I'm writing a novel (arn't we all) that's intended to be a sci-fi crime thriller in genre, but humerous in tone. My MC is a detective, and at the moment I've cast his partner as a transvestite (After doing a bit of research I'm guessing he'd be pretty close to a transwoman). There are character mechanics to the choice, and after blitzing through the first 20-25K words, I was pretty excited by it and really enjoyed writing both the characters
Alas I hit...something...and haven't written for a few years. Now I'm trying to get back in the saddle and, as happens, fresh eyes have highlighted a potential hazard. Like "Delete the book immediately!" hazardous.
The two characters bicker and piss-take back and forth in three or four scenes - typically buddy-cop style dialogue. Problem is my experience with transfolk is as good as zero. I've done a bit of background research and that but it's never as helpful as real interaction. And so I'm very worried that in my ignorance, their banter might spill over into being offensive to trans people - regardless of the spirit it's supposed to be written in (both mine and the MC's - as far as he's concerned he's just taking the piss out of a friend).
I don't wanna show my ass and offend anyone. I would also like to feel I can progress further. To do that I need a clear example of where the lines are, what the MC would know his partner won't feel insulted by....something I can analyse so when I'm making future jokes, I'm doing it right.
So i'm asking if anyone would be so kind as to quickly read through the novel so far (Mainly the banter sections - I can highlight them - though if you want context for the character, read away). I'm hoping that because of the MC's perspective it'll come across with the warmth intended, but I could be wildly off the mark and the whole character concept for the partner, and the book would do better in the bin.
I'm not looking for a full critique or anything - just an indicator where I'm screwing up (I'm sure I will be), how far off the mark I am, and the key points between the characters that'll cause offence.
I appreciate I'm asking quite a lot, but I also want to have the characters as they are. I'm not an arse, but I also know there are big holes in my knowledge where I might cause offence through well meaning ignorance. I might still give some of these flaws to the MC anyway, but I want that to be an artistic decision, rather than the only choice I've got on the matter. Hell, I might also deliberately fold subplot between the characters where the MC is still a work in progress on the matter and does occasionally screw up, and learns.
Anyway - I'm rambling. An offer of help would be so gratefully appreciated - hopefully it won't take too much time, nor the tone be too poorly pitched.
Thanks
Hillsy
I need a little help.
I'm writing a novel (arn't we all) that's intended to be a sci-fi crime thriller in genre, but humerous in tone. My MC is a detective, and at the moment I've cast his partner as a transvestite (After doing a bit of research I'm guessing he'd be pretty close to a transwoman). There are character mechanics to the choice, and after blitzing through the first 20-25K words, I was pretty excited by it and really enjoyed writing both the characters
Alas I hit...something...and haven't written for a few years. Now I'm trying to get back in the saddle and, as happens, fresh eyes have highlighted a potential hazard. Like "Delete the book immediately!" hazardous.
The two characters bicker and piss-take back and forth in three or four scenes - typically buddy-cop style dialogue. Problem is my experience with transfolk is as good as zero. I've done a bit of background research and that but it's never as helpful as real interaction. And so I'm very worried that in my ignorance, their banter might spill over into being offensive to trans people - regardless of the spirit it's supposed to be written in (both mine and the MC's - as far as he's concerned he's just taking the piss out of a friend).
I don't wanna show my ass and offend anyone. I would also like to feel I can progress further. To do that I need a clear example of where the lines are, what the MC would know his partner won't feel insulted by....something I can analyse so when I'm making future jokes, I'm doing it right.
So i'm asking if anyone would be so kind as to quickly read through the novel so far (Mainly the banter sections - I can highlight them - though if you want context for the character, read away). I'm hoping that because of the MC's perspective it'll come across with the warmth intended, but I could be wildly off the mark and the whole character concept for the partner, and the book would do better in the bin.
I'm not looking for a full critique or anything - just an indicator where I'm screwing up (I'm sure I will be), how far off the mark I am, and the key points between the characters that'll cause offence.
I appreciate I'm asking quite a lot, but I also want to have the characters as they are. I'm not an arse, but I also know there are big holes in my knowledge where I might cause offence through well meaning ignorance. I might still give some of these flaws to the MC anyway, but I want that to be an artistic decision, rather than the only choice I've got on the matter. Hell, I might also deliberately fold subplot between the characters where the MC is still a work in progress on the matter and does occasionally screw up, and learns.
Anyway - I'm rambling. An offer of help would be so gratefully appreciated - hopefully it won't take too much time, nor the tone be too poorly pitched.
Thanks
Hillsy