writingwiththetranskids

[writingwiththetranskids]

How to Write Non-binary Characters: a three part guide.

Disclaimer: While this guide is written by a non-binary person in collaboration with many other non-binary writers and readers, it does not necessarily cover the views of all people within the non-binary community.

PART ONE: the basics.

First off, what is this thing you call non-binary?

Non-binary genders are any gender identity that isn’t covered in the Western idea of woman (girl) and man (boy). This identity has nothing to do with which chromosomes or sexual organs a person has. Some non-binary people also identify as being trans (which is technically an umbrella term containing non-binary), while others only identify as being non-binary. Some commonly use the slang term enbie (which comes from the pronunciation of the initials for non-binary, aka N.B.) while others don’t. Some break down their gender further than simply non-binary, while others choose not to.

Some terms for common non-binary genders:

Agender: having no gender.

Bigender: having both binary genders, or aspects of two different genders, usually simultaneously. (Much like the bi in bisexual, non-binary people may also claim this term if they have any number of genders, especially if they can’t quite tell where one ends and the other begins, or they may claim the term pangender instead.)

Demi-(boy/girl/man/woman): being partially (but not wholly) binary.

Gender-fluid: transitioning between genders, which may include both binary and non-binary genders.

Gender-queer (or just queer): not of a binary gender. May be used when someone does not feel that any other terms fit them quite right, when they’re still trying to determine their gender and don’t yet wish to choose a term, or simply because the person finds it to fit them best.

There are also genders similar to what Western cultures call non-binary in many non-Western cultures, which are wonderfully diverse and all incerdibly valid, but as someone from an exclusively Western cultural heratage, I don’t feel I have the right or the knoweldge to talk about them.

So then, who are these non-binary people in real life?

The only thing that differentiates a non-binary person from a binary person is that they don’t identify as having a binary gender.

Their non-binary-ness could influence their lives in an infinite number of ways:

It could be subtle or life changing.

They could use fashion and vocal training and actions to present themselves in ways outside their society’s binary gender norms, or they could never even mention they’re non-binary to another living soul. 

They could change their pronouns, or their name, or keep one or both the same.

They could spend years re-figuring out who they are and what it means to be non-binary or they could realize it once and never feel the need to dwell on it again.

They could identity as one of the numerous non-binary labels, or they could decide they’re just not binary and don’t care to dig further than that. 

They could accept all gendered terms, or certain gendered terms, or no gendered terms at all.

People assuming they’re binary could frustrate them or sadden them or anger them, or they could not care in the slightest. 

They may feel they exhibit (or wish to exhibit) many of the traits their society designates to a certain binary gender, or they many not.

They could feel the same way about their identity all the time, or differently every day.

Each non-binary person (and character) is unique, and their non-binary-ness is just one tiny part of who they are.

The basic do’s and don’ts for writing non-binary characters respectfully if you’re a binary person…

Keep reading

[writingwiththetranskids]

All Apologies

I’ve seen the asks in the inbox and I was gonna get to then today but some stuff can up so I’ll get to them after the weekend! I’m so sorry, but I promise I’ll get to them after the weekend if one of the other mods doesn’t!

*~Sebastian Sean Crow

[writingwiththetranskids]

Resources For Describing Emotion

Emotions

Without Making Your Character Feel Too Self Aware

Showing Emotion Without Telling About It

Emotions Associated With Body Language

Telling Readers What The Character Doesn’t Want To Show

Hiding Emotions

Expressing Cardinal Emotions: Masculine vs. Feminine

Writing Extreme Emotion Without Melodrama

Specific Emotions

Conveying Shock

Conveying Embarrassment

Conveying Disappointment

Conveying Love/Attraction

Conveying Annoyance

Conveying Relief

Conveying Uncertainty

Conveying Impatience

Conveying Shame

Conveying Resentment

Conveying Panic

Conveying Guilt

Conveying Desperation

Conveying Sarcasm & Verbal Disrespect

Conveying Confusion

Conveying Stubbornness

Conveying Frustration

Conveying Indifference

Conveying Indignation

Conveying Confidence & Pride

Conveying Smugness

Conveying Enthusiasm

Conveying Curiosity

Conveying Hopefulness

Conveying Unease

Conveying Reluctance

Conveying Worry

Conveying Humility & Meekness

Conveying Happiness & Joy

Conveying Amusement

Conveying Disgust

Conveying Resignation

Conveying Jealousy

Conveying Anticipation

Conveying Contentment

Conveying Defeat

Conveying Excitement

Conveying Fear

Conveying Hatred

Conveying Hurt

Conveying Being Overwhelmed

Conveying Sadness & Grief

Conveying Satisfaction

Conveying Somberness

Conveying Sympathy & Empathy

Conveying Wariness

Conveying Defensiveness

Conveying Desire

Conveying Doubt

Conveying Energy

Conveying Exhaustion

Conveying Hunger

Conveying Loneliness

Conveying Physical Pain

Emotional Wounds

A Role Model Who Disappoints

A Sibling’s Betrayal

A Speech Impediment

Becoming a Caregiver at an Early Age

Being Bullied

Being Fired or Laid Off

Being Held Captive

Being Mugged

Being Publicly Humiliated

Being Raised by Neglectful Parents

Being Raised by Overprotective Parents

Being So Beautiful It’s All People See

Being the Victim of a Vicious Rumor

Being Stalked

Being Trapped in a Collapsed Building

Being Unfairly Blamed For The Death of Another

Childhood Sexual Abuse (by a family member or known person)

Discovering One’s Parent is a Monster

Discovering One’s Sibling was Abused

Experiencing a Miscarriage or Stillbirth

Failing At School

Failing To Do The Right Thing

Financial Ruin Due To A Spouse’s Irresponsibility

Finding Out One’s Child Was Abused

Finding Out One Was Adopted

Getting Lost In a Natural Environment

Growing Up In A Cult

Growing Up in a Dangerous Neighborhood

Growing Up In Foster Care

Growing Up In The Public Eye

Growing Up In The Shadow of a Successful Sibling

Growing Up with a Sibling Who Has a Chronic Disability or Illness

Having Parents Who Favored One Child Over Another

Having To Kill Another Person To Survive

Infertility

Infidelity (emotional or physical)

Losing a Limb

Losing a Loved One To A Random Act of Violence

Making a Very Public Mistake

Overly Critical or Strict Parents

Physical Disfigurement

Rejection By One’s Peers

Telling The Truth But Not Being Believed

The Death of a Child On One’s Watch

Victimization via Identity Theft

Watching A Loved One Die

Wrongful Imprisonment

Spending Time In Jail

Suffering From a Learning Disability

Motivation

Achieving Spiritual Enlightenment

Avoiding Certain Death

Avoiding Financial Ruin

Beating a Diagnosis or Condition

Being Acknowledged and Appreciated by Family

Being a Leader of Others

Being the Best At Something

Caring for an Aging Parent

Carrying on a Legacy

Catching The Bad Guy or Girl

Coming To Grips With Mental Illness

Discovering One’s True Self

Escaping a Dangerous Life one Doesn’t Want

Escaping a Killer

Escaping a Widespread Disaster

Escaping Confinement

Escaping Homelessness

Escaping Invaders

Finding Friendship or Companionship

Finding a Lifelong Partner

Having a Child

Helping a Loved One See They Are Hurting Themselves and Others

Obtaining Shelter From The Elements

Overcoming Abuse and Learning To Trust

Overcoming Addiction

Protecting One’s Home or Property

Pursuing Justice For Oneself or Others

Realizing a Dream

Reconciling with an Estranged Family Member

Rescuing a Loved One From a Captor

Restoring A Name or Reputation

Righting a Deep Wrong

Seeking Out One’s Biological Roots

Stopping an Event From Happening

Trying Again When One Has Previously Failed

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[writingwiththetranskids]

It's the dimension deadname anon again and I just wanted to say I thought of a way to completely avoid the deadname by changing perspectives and literally censoring it. Like "hey, ----? Have you seen my bag anywhere?" Would this be alright?Also I am considering changing the closeted version of her to the dimension hopping version and having the post transition character as the one in the other world this makes me a little uncomfortable though because it feels like I'm outing her. Thank you.

I think the censoring thing would come down to writing style and your ability to pull it off. Give it a try, maybe write a couple versions of that scene, and self-assess (or get a beta reader) to see how well it can be done. Ethically, it seems fine to me.

As for the second bit, I think again it depends on how much control the pre-transition version of the character has in the dissemination of that information. If it’s treated as some spectacle and a Shocking turn of events, it could certainly be a bit gauche. However, I think that it would just be affirmational for your character to see that version of herself (like, to realize that it’s possible for herself to transition so far). Lots of trans people who are deep into their transition wish they could go back in time and show their younger, pre-transition selves what is possible, so I think it’s a fine idea.

Good luck! Feel free to ask followups!

-Mod Fray

[writingwiththetranskids]

I'm writing that involves both time travel and dimension travel and along the way a trans characters deadname is implied. They go to a dimension where she hasn't come out or transitioned (safety reasons) and meet her counterpart. The other people's counterparts have the same names as them except for the girl who now has a different name. I know not to reveal a character's deadname but I'm not sure how to avoid it as this scene is a very important part of the story. Thanks.

Hi there!

I invite other mods to give their own perspectives on this since we might have different perspectives on this topic.

I personally don’t see a problem with revealing the character’s dead name AS LONG AS it’s important to the story and serves a specific narrative function, and you’ve said that it does. The problem with writing a dead name imo is that people just put it in there to satisfy some morbid curiosity about the trans person’s “Real Identity,” so you need to self-assess. If you can honestly and GENUINELY say that it is unavoidable and important to show her dead name, then it’s fine. Cis people sometimes have a hard time self-assessing on this (which is understandable!) so if possible you could ask a trans person to be your sensitivity reader once it’s written.

My other concern here is that this whole “other dimension where she hasn’t transitioned yet” is kind of….designed to expose her. It seems uncomfortably vulnerable and a bit in poor taste from my perspective. I think it would be important, in this case, for the character to have as much control over the situation as possible: for instance, the others on her team don’t make the connection that this person is her pre-transition counterpart unless she makes a deliberate choice to tell them about it. Or, if at all possible, make it so that she is the only one who ever interacts with the counterpart and the others never have to see her in that position.

Basically, the main concern here is that as a writer you might be tempted to throw her pre/non-transition self in there just to create Angst or Drama. I would advise that you be very careful with how you portray your trans girl character. Give her dignity. Do not embarrass her. Let her make decisions and be in control of who knows what and how they find out. If you have any other clarifications or questions, feel free to ask, even if it’s for the same situation! And if possible, sensitivity readers will come in handy.

Thank you for your question!

-Mod Fray

[writingwiththetranskids]

Hey, I've been planning a story and one of the characters is trans. I wanted to ask if "Hey cool name - thanks, i choose it myself" is an aceptable way to introduce this character as trans and if i would need to make it clearer she is? I would be very grateful for an answer, thank you for your time

Hi!I think that’s a good way to introduce the idea, but remember that particularly in fiction there’s a lot of reasons someone might choose a different name than the one they were given. If you’re wondering if it’s offensive– not at all! In fact, it’s a very cute way to get the idea across. However, readers who aren’t familiar with this type of joke (which is a common joke amongst trans people, as I’m sure you’re aware) might just assume it’s supposed to be mysterious and think nothing else of it. A trans reader would get it, but someone else might not.

In any case, I would suggest including other demonstrative things to indicate your character is trans on top of that. There’s a chance it’s too subtle.

Thank you for your question!

-Mod Fray

[writingwiththetranskids]

resource for procrastination

if you’re anything like me, working on a computer is a dangerous thing. i’ll get distracted by everything - that one email i should respond to, all the pictures of my dog, tumblr, and so on. I recently discovered an amazing resource to stop that.

it’s called writer’s block, and is free to download! 

when you open it, it shows this screen, where you can choose either a time limit or word goal

then when you start, it opens a document that fills the entire screen like this

and you cannot quit the app or open anything else until your word/time quota is filled. i just wrote half of my english speech that i’ve been putting off all morning, and it took only 20 minutes!

so yup, it’s called writer’s block and is free for both mac and windows. enjoy!

[writingwiththetranskids]

Synonyms For Very

This masterlist is a masterlist of words that you may use alongside the word very, very being one of the most common words that are used when writing. I hope this helps you as much as it helps me in our writing seem more sophisticated and unique. 

A:

Very accurate - exact Very afraid - fearful Very angry - furious Very annoying - exasperating

B:

Very bad - atrocious Very beautiful - exquisite Very big - immense Very boring - dull Very bright - luminous Very busy - swamped

C:

Very calm - serene Very careful - cautious Very cheap - stingy Very clean - spotless Very clear - obvious Very clever - intelligent Very cold - freezing Very colourful - vibrant Very competitive - cutthroat Very complete - comprehensive Very confused - perplexed Very conventional - conservative Very creative - innovative Very crowded - bustling Very cute - adorable

D:

Very dangerous - perilous Very dear - cherished Very deep - profound Very depressed - despondent Very detailed - meticulous Very different - disparate Very difficult - arduous Very dirty - filthy Very dry - arid Very dull - tedious

E:

Very eager - keen Very easy - effortless Very empty - desolate Very excited - thrilled Very exciting - exhilarating Very expensive - costly

F:

Very fancy - lavish Very fast - swift Very fat - obese Very friendly - amiable Very frightened - alarmed Very frightening - terrifying Very funny - hilarious

G:

Very glad - overjoyed Very good - excellent Very great - terrific

H:

Very happy - ecstatic Very hard - difficult Very hard-to-find - rare Very heavy - leaden Very high - soaring Very hot - sweltering Very huge - colossal Very hungry - ravenous Very hurt - battered

I:

Very important - crucial Very intelligent - brilliant Very interesting - captivating

J:

K:

L:

Very large - huge Very lazy - indolent Very little - tiny Very lively - vivacious Very long - extensive Very long-term - enduring Very loose - slack Very loud - thunderous Very loved - adored

M:

Very mean - cruel Very messy - slovenly

N:

Very neat - immaculate Very necessary - essential Very nervous - apprehensive Very nice - kind Very noisy - deafening

O:

Very often - frequently Very old - ancient Very old-fashioned - archaic Very open - transparent

P:

Very painful - excruciating Very pale - ashen Very perfect - flawless Very poor - destitute Very powerful - compelling Very pretty - beautiful

Q:

Very quick - rapid Very quiet - hushed

R:

Very rainy - pouring Very rich - wealthy

S:

Very sad - sorrowful Very scared - petrified Very scary - chilling Very serious - grave Very sharp - keen Very shiny - gleaming Very short - brief Very shy - timid Very simple - basic Very skinny - skeletal Very slow - sluggish Very small - petite Very smart - intelligent Very smelly - pungent Very smooth - sleek Very soft - downy Very sorry - apologetic Very special - exceptional Very strong - forceful Very stupid - idiotic Very sure - certain Very sweet - thoughtful

T:

Very talented - gifted Very tall - towering Very tasty - delicious Very thirsty - parched Very tight - constricting Very tiny - minuscule Very tired - exhausted

U:

Very ugly - hideous Very unhappy - miserable Very upset - distraught

V:

W:

Very warm - hot Very weak - frail Very well-to-do - wealthy Very wet - soaked Very wide - expansive Very willing - eager Very windy - blustery Very wise - sage Very worried - distressed

X:

Y:

Z:

A/N: If you know of anymore words I can add please message me.

[writingwiththetranskids]

I think it would make sense to give the cis lesbian several moments of putting it off or changing her mind halfway through.

She might also take certain measures to cope with it like making sure the lights are off or they are in a position where she cant see the genital in question.

The important part, like the other mod said, is that they talk about it and have an understanding that the cis lesbian is trying something outside of her comfort zone and they are aware of each other's feelings.

I hope this helps!

-Mod Fray

Sry if this ask is too nsfw bt I’m writing a book where a lesbian whocud b considered “penis repulsed” in sum way &a trans woman fall nlove&they end up hvin sex the”traditional”wayI’m wondering how can I write the scene it happens in a way that accurately portrays my characters feelings towards certain things w/out bein offensiveLike I have a vague ideaon how but I’d really like to get first hand advice from mtf ppl (I’m Nb myself I just don’t experience bottom dysphoria so idk wat it’d b like)

Hmm, interesting topic!I think, that communication would be important between the two, and a lot of sweet-talking and asking “are you okay?” Is in order.But I’m not an expert!-mod cryptic

[writingwiththetranskids]

Sry if this ask is too nsfw bt I’m writing a book where a lesbian whocud b considered “penis repulsed” in sum way &a trans woman fall nlove&they end up hvin sex the”traditional”wayI’m wondering how can I write the scene it happens in a way that accurately portrays my characters feelings towards certain things w/out bein offensiveLike I have a vague ideaon how but I’d really like to get first hand advice from mtf ppl (I’m Nb myself I just don’t experience bottom dysphoria so idk wat it’d b like)

Hmm, interesting topic!I think, that communication would be important between the two, and a lot of sweet-talking and asking "are you okay?" Is in order.But I'm not an expert!-mod cryptic

[writingwiththetranskids]

Answer all these questions and you should have a fully-developed character for your audience to connect with. A strong character can carry a weak plot; but a strong plot can’t carry weak characters

[writingwiththetranskids]

Dear writers,

If English is not your native language and your writing in English ,ITS OK TO NOT HAVE PERFECT GRAMMER. I️m an English speaker and even I️ don’t have perfect grammer.Don’t ever get discouraged if someone tells you otherwise.

[writingwiththetranskids]

Persian words for sexuality

LGBT (and also Queer) : دگرباشی = Degarbashi 

Genderqueer : خارج از جنسیت = Kharej Az Jenseyat 

Cisgender : هم‌ سو جنسی = Ham So Jensi 

Heterosexuality : دگرجنس‌ گرایی = Degar Jens Garayi 

Homosexuaity : همجنس‌گرایی = Ham Jens Garayi 

Homosexual :  همجنس‌ خواه - همجنس‌گرا = Hamjens Gara - Hamjens Khah 

Bisexual : دوجنس‌گرایی = Do Jens Garayi 

Transgender : ترا جنسیتی = Tara Gensiyati 

Transexual : تراجنسی = Tara Jensi 

Transman : ترا مرد = Tara Mard 

Transwoman :  ترا زن = Tara Zan 

Asexuality : بی‌ جنس‌ گرایی = Bi Jens Garayi 

Pansexuality : همه‌ جنس‌ گرایی = Hameh Jens Garayi 

Polysexuality : چند جنس‌ گرایی = Chand Jens Garayi 

[writingwiththetranskids]

Reblogging this here in case anyone wants to creat any witchy characters.

*~Sebastian Sean Crow

♡ Based on krisrpt’s otp/au generator and inspired/motivated by my baby angel @clydebxrrow​  ♡

first attempt creating a generator, not the best work, A+ for trying, so yeah, hope you enjoy creating witches  ♡

[writingwiththetranskids]

We are again opening up the opportunity to become a guest author for Making Queer History! We are looking for people interested in writing a short article about someone queer in history, and the only qualifications are: you have to be queer, and your facts have to be sourced. 

So first, let’s talk about the benefits. We will be paying 50 CAD an article as of now, though that number will grow as our project does.

We will also be able to link any social media account you want on our website on the byline and our Patreon, Tumblr, and Facebook, and will use your name(does not have to be your legal or birth name) in citing the author. If you do not want your name or social media accounts linked we will accommodate to that as well. And an added benefit for starting writers, while we are not a large company being able to say you have written professionally is a good thing to have on any resume.

And now How To Become a Guest Author

We will be paying through paypal so you must have a account there.

Submit a preview of an article into our email at queerhistorypatreon@gmail.com

For your submission we will be asking for:

The opening paragraph, summing up what you are writing about and some preliminary information regarding where you plan to go with the article, must be between 100-500 words.

All writers must be queer, we want to be hiring queer artists exclusively, so if you are an ally this opportunity is not for you.

If you are chosen as a Guest Author, that’s great! Here is what to expect

We will need a method to communicate with you as you write your article, while we will give you a lot of creative control we do want a bit of control over the completed content so be open to edits and critiques. We want to produce the best possible content for our audience and we are sure you want to produce to the best content to represent yourself, so we will need to be able work with you to make that happen.

Sources for your article.

A full article over 1500 words that follows the basic template of our previous articles, remember to add on a quote if you can find one.

A picture for your article that is in the public domain.

And just a willingness to cooperate with the runners of the project, including myself(Laura Mills) 

We will pay at the end of the month through paypal.

Right now we are looking for:

Non-American stories (This is the only strict guideline in terms of content right now, we are not looking for stories about post-colonial America and/or Americans)

Stories about transgender people from our history written by transgender authors

Stories about people of colour from our history written by people of colour

So thank you for reading and we hope to hear from all of you!

[writingwiththetranskids]

We are again opening up the opportunity to become a guest author for Making Queer History! We are looking for people interested in writing a short article about someone queer in history, and the only qualifications are: you have to be queer, and your facts have to be sourced. 

So first, let’s talk about the benefits. We will be paying 50 CAD an article as of now, though that number will grow as our project does.

We will also be able to link any social media account you want on our website on the byline and our Patreon, Tumblr, and Facebook, and will use your name(does not have to be your legal or birth name) in citing the author. If you do not want your name or social media accounts linked we will accommodate to that as well. And an added benefit for starting writers, while we are not a large company being able to say you have written professionally is a good thing to have on any resume.

And now How To Become a Guest Author

We will be paying through paypal so you must have a account there.

Submit a preview of an article into our email at queerhistorypatreon@gmail.com

For your submission we will be asking for:

The opening paragraph, summing up what you are writing about and some preliminary information regarding where you plan to go with the article, must be between 100-500 words.

All writers must be queer, we want to be hiring queer artists exclusively, so if you are an ally this opportunity is not for you.

If you are chosen as a Guest Author, that’s great! Here is what to expect

We will need a method to communicate with you as you write your article, while we will give you a lot of creative control we do want a bit of control over the completed content so be open to edits and critiques. We want to produce the best possible content for our audience and we are sure you want to produce to the best content to represent yourself, so we will need to be able work with you to make that happen.

Sources for your article.

A full article over 1500 words that follows the basic template of our previous articles, remember to add on a quote if you can find one.

A picture for your article that is in the public domain.

And just a willingness to cooperate with the runners of the project, including myself(Laura Mills) 

We will pay at the end of the month through paypal.

Right now we are looking for:

Non-American stories (This is the only strict guideline in terms of content right now, we are not looking for stories about post-colonial America and/or Americans)

Stories about transgender people from our history written by transgender authors

Stories about people of colour from our history written by people of colour

So thank you for reading and we hope to hear from all of you!

[writingwiththetranskids]