This isn’t a question that I’ve come across before, and it made me pause before attempting to answer. Using correct gender pronouns and having the right to feel safe and non-discriminated against for self-identifying against the “norm” is a movement that has been gaining steam, and rightfully so. Without getting too political, it is absolutely ridiculous that people who feel they don’t fit male or female have to fight this hard to just be acknowledged.
I have read very few books that have gender neutral characters or content. I think there definitely is a need for it, as reading allows for a different viewpoint. But the question is should You be writing gender neutral content. I say fuck it, and write what you want. I think that it is incredibly hard to tailor a story just for the sake of tailoring it. If the gender neutral parts come naturally, and fit in well with the plot line, great! That book can be written gender neutrally. But if you’re struggling with every line, and having to go off vision, then don’t do it. As a beginning writer, I think it is more important to write what you know, or write what YOU want to write about. Catering to invisible readers before you finish the book doesn’t make sense. If the book has a female’s perspective or a male’s perspective, or any other kind of perspective, then I think that that perspective will help further the plot of the book. There are 2 major reasons (I believe) for writing gender neutral content. The first is that is give a new perspective, something other authors haven’t explored yet. The second is that it attempts to raise or answer a question. Again, there is definitely a need for gender neutral writing. Apart from actually talking to people who have gone through that process, reading content about being gender neutral is the best way to understand and accept it. But don’t go out of your way to do so. Sloppy and half-hearted content is worse than no content at all. Comments are closed.
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