I don't know why transgender authors like you and James Buchanan don't *write* as transgender people, instead of presenting a persona as a gay man - I'm not saying you're not male in your head, but your experience as a FtM is vastly different, and unique, from a biologically male person who's gay. Or a woman who's just writing gay characters, for that matter. Your experiences aren't even the same as a bisexual's. You're living something rare and poorly known, and if you want people to understand and appreciate what being transgender means, you're in the perfect position to show us.
There are actually very few transgender authors writing as such - and thousands of gay writers or faux gay writers or women writing m/m. Why aren't you using the special insights and experiences you have as FtM to show us what that's like? I'd far and away prefer to read that than yet another 'pretend' gay story, of which there are just too many of indifferent quality.
I have a FtM writer on my flist and she recently wrote an SGA AU fanfic (which she then 'origified') about a FtM teenager and his lover - and she was absolutely astonished by the favourable reception she got. She had no idea people would read it - well, they will. People are always drawn to what is true and what is real.
I have no interest in your insights as a 'gay man', and that goes for James B too, because I don't think your writing differs in voice from any number of any other female authors in this genre. It doesn't give me any sense of being written from the heart. But I would be greatly interested and enthusiastic about you writing as a FtM. That's where you could really carve out your special niche. I'd offer the same advice to bisexual authors too. Real bisexual authors, telling stories based on their real experiences, are too rare and that's a shame because there is so much misinformation about being bi.
I write gay fiction because I enjoy it and because I'm gay. Period. But as far as the FtM stories go, I'm working on that, to be honest. It's a little harder to put those thoughts onto paper because they hit much closer to home. A bit of soul searching, if you will.
It's been pointed out to me how incredibly crass and insensitive it was of me to talk about your identity in a way which implies I consider it fraudulent (which I don't, though I have difficult understanding all the implications.) I wish to apologise for that and any offence and upset I caused. I'm ignorant of the issues, and am trying to educate myself so I don't repeat the offence.
Thanks. :) It's not something easily understood unless you know someone who's going through it, but at least you're learning more about it. Some folks don't even bother. No harm done. :)
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There are actually very few transgender authors writing as such - and thousands of gay writers or faux gay writers or women writing m/m. Why aren't you using the special insights and experiences you have as FtM to show us what that's like? I'd far and away prefer to read that than yet another 'pretend' gay story, of which there are just too many of indifferent quality.
I have a FtM writer on my flist and she recently wrote an SGA AU fanfic (which she then 'origified') about a FtM teenager and his lover - and she was absolutely astonished by the favourable reception she got. She had no idea people would read it - well, they will. People are always drawn to what is true and what is real.
I have no interest in your insights as a 'gay man', and that goes for James B too, because I don't think your writing differs in voice from any number of any other female authors in this genre. It doesn't give me any sense of being written from the heart. But I would be greatly interested and enthusiastic about you writing as a FtM. That's where you could really carve out your special niche. I'd offer the same advice to bisexual authors too. Real bisexual authors, telling stories based on their real experiences, are too rare and that's a shame because there is so much misinformation about being bi.
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