I can accept that. I don't think I'd want to scrutinize character inclusion to the level that some suggest. However, I'm definitely in favor of making choices in writing. For me, choices geared to story are more important than other considerations. That will not be the same for everyone.If there's one thing I hope everyone gets out of this thread, it's "what do I write when I write at whim?"
Passionate arguments & beliefs are wonderful when they are delivered with tact and civility. I've seen nothing out of bounds up to this point, just a few barbs & passionate arguments. These are the types of threads I learn the most from, where dissenting opinions can shed new light.That is a LOT of vitriol. Maybe we should all take a break and calm down.
You don't have to agree with opposing viewpoints to understand them. Understanding doesn't mean you have to accept another's perspective and fall in line.
Actually, I feel that my perceptions & thinking fall close in line with BWF & Ankari here.I'd also like to clear up that I'm not Saellys, although judging from her thanks, Saellys might be me. I don't want her blamed for everything I've been saying. (Similarly, BWFoster seems to be making different arguments than T Allen Smith.)
Perhaps I inferred an incorrect meaning, but I too felt as if we were being told that to be considered quality writing, our characters/stories needed to support another's agenda or vision, specifically when it comes to character selection. This was the main point of contention for me (and I think some others).
On another related note, consider plausibility. This is an important concept for my writing. As such, I have several strong female characters that do not concern themselves much with men, nor are their goals & motivations defined romantically. Out of the other minority groups mentioned in the thread, race & orientation, I have only a couple of differing races and currently none of differing sexual orientation (at least at this point). The orientation issue hasn't come up as needed in the story yet. I don't know if it ever will. Unless the story takes a direction that would require the inclusion of a gay or bi character, then I'm not going to search for that spot. If it arises organically then it'd certainly be considered. Distinctions and differences can be a marvelous thing as long as they fit the story.
Plausibility, for me, comes into play when considering representative populations. Orientations other than hetero compose a small percentage of our real world population (something I think Jabrosky touched on earlier). In light of this, I choose to keep that in mind when writing a fantasy story. In my view, writing extreme diversity without cause developed by story demands, can reduce plausibility or believability. Although, you may not feel this way, I do. That everyone should at least be able to understand.
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