Hey guys,
The question has been on my mind for a while. When talking about mainstream fiction, aimed at no group in particular, do you believe that having non-hetero main characters is still something people cry about? I have yet to find a book or a TV show (that's not a sitcom), where the protagonist isn't straight. Especially when it comes to men, as lesbians always seemed to be less frowned upon by the mainstream.
I've watched and researched "Da Vinci's Demons" exactly to find out how they approached the subject, as I've heard they weren't going to "shy away" from the fact that he was a bisexual (or gay, as some sources say). But so far, he's just having a steamy romance with a woman going through entire season (and all the trailers) with a mention of him having relations with men in the past.
While they somewhat avoid falling into the: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ButNotTooGay
by showing a kiss, that's all there was as far as I know (plot bored me, so I stopped watching and just researched further by reading on it).
Looking over the internet, including music videos, talk shows etc with comments underneath, it would seem that people are getting indeed much more tolerant. Token gay couples are present all over media nowadays. But that's it - token couples.
The only TV show I've seen so far featuring gay protagonists was actually:
a) cancelled
b) full of stereotyping
c) so over-sweet I go diabetes from watching it xD
(The New Normal)
I'm writing a novel with a bisexual protagonist. He's a 1st person PoV character, and I have other PoV characters not all of whom are straight.
It's a fantasy novel, plot-driven, where romances are integral part of character development, but far from the central issues.
I don't "put the light out", though I keep the erotic descriptions mildly detailed.
I wonder how much of an issue will that be, and what should I brace myself for. I don't want to bend to the standards. Also, I didn't plan on anyone's sexuality, it just happened by the way of their motivations and the plot.
Additionally, since it's a series, I also have one more "dilemma" - do I need to say point-blank somewhere what's what so that people don't get outraged later when it comes out? It just wasn't needed. It should not matter, but I'm afraid it might and I hate drama.
Not to mention, if I were to decide to try a traditional publishing route, I'm afraid someone might demand I change those things not to alienate the public. Do they do it?
Thanks.
The question has been on my mind for a while. When talking about mainstream fiction, aimed at no group in particular, do you believe that having non-hetero main characters is still something people cry about? I have yet to find a book or a TV show (that's not a sitcom), where the protagonist isn't straight. Especially when it comes to men, as lesbians always seemed to be less frowned upon by the mainstream.
I've watched and researched "Da Vinci's Demons" exactly to find out how they approached the subject, as I've heard they weren't going to "shy away" from the fact that he was a bisexual (or gay, as some sources say). But so far, he's just having a steamy romance with a woman going through entire season (and all the trailers) with a mention of him having relations with men in the past.
While they somewhat avoid falling into the: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ButNotTooGay
by showing a kiss, that's all there was as far as I know (plot bored me, so I stopped watching and just researched further by reading on it).
Looking over the internet, including music videos, talk shows etc with comments underneath, it would seem that people are getting indeed much more tolerant. Token gay couples are present all over media nowadays. But that's it - token couples.
The only TV show I've seen so far featuring gay protagonists was actually:
a) cancelled
b) full of stereotyping
c) so over-sweet I go diabetes from watching it xD
(The New Normal)
I'm writing a novel with a bisexual protagonist. He's a 1st person PoV character, and I have other PoV characters not all of whom are straight.
It's a fantasy novel, plot-driven, where romances are integral part of character development, but far from the central issues.
I don't "put the light out", though I keep the erotic descriptions mildly detailed.
I wonder how much of an issue will that be, and what should I brace myself for. I don't want to bend to the standards. Also, I didn't plan on anyone's sexuality, it just happened by the way of their motivations and the plot.
Additionally, since it's a series, I also have one more "dilemma" - do I need to say point-blank somewhere what's what so that people don't get outraged later when it comes out? It just wasn't needed. It should not matter, but I'm afraid it might and I hate drama.
Not to mention, if I were to decide to try a traditional publishing route, I'm afraid someone might demand I change those things not to alienate the public. Do they do it?
Thanks.
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