Writing a Fantasy Character with ASD/Asperger's Syndrome - All Opinions Wanted!

[Mad Swede]

You picture what they look like, yes? And I'm guessing you don't picture them in gray, white and black? Or do you just imagine their skin being transparent?

No, not neccessarily. Harry Potter is an example. He has dark unruly hair and a lightning scar on his forehead. Skin colour? Does it matter? Did I think about it? No.

This is, for me, about how we suspend belief. How often are characters described in terms of their appearance? Usually, thats done in or around the point at which they first appear in the story. But after that? Usually, the focus moves to how they act and why, and how this drives the plot forwards. Appearance becomes less important and in some cases irrelevant. As a reader, I'm more interested in the characterisation and the plot, and I don't think about appearance.

 

[S.T. Ockenner]

No, not neccessarily. Harry Potter is an example. He has dark unruly hair and a lightning scar on his forehead. Skin colour? Does it matter? Did I think about it? No.

This is, for me, about how we suspend belief. How often are characters described in terms of their appearance? Usually, thats done in or around the point at which they first appear in the story. But after that? Usually, the focus moves to how they act and why, and how this drives the plot forwards. Appearance becomes less important and in some cases irrelevant. As a reader, I'm more interested in the characterisation and the plot, and I don't think about appearance.

You NEVER picture things in your head? Then you have a very different reading style then I do, because I picture what's happening in my head constantly. I sometimes even draw the characters.

 

[Mad Swede]

You NEVER picture things in your head? Then you have a very different reading style then I do, because I picture what's happening in my head constantly. I sometimes even draw the characters.

I don't think I could even begin to explain to you what severe dyslexia means. Reading, for me, takes a lot of effort and a lot of time. I have to concentrate on reading, not on picturing the scene. I may picture things later on, after I've read things, but mostly I'm thinking about the plot, the story and what the characters are up to.

 

[chattwick]

chattwick Found this this morning and thought you might find it useful. I would imagine, given your MC's situation, that he's experienced some of this.

How Abuse and Gaslighting Affected My 'Spoons' as an Autistic Person

Thank you! It’s actually super coincidental that you’d sent this. My co-writer and I had just been talking about how Ward sees those he works with -the ones who’ve essentially trapped him where his- and this is some interesting insight into the thought process of being gaslit.
I appreciate you thinking of me and sending this!

 

[A. E. Lowan]

Your post really clears something up in my head. As a writer, I only recently ran into these questions. And I didn't even know how complicated it was.

I'm glad I could help. This is an excellent blog for learning to write beyond the common narrative. It's modded by writers of color and absolutely huge, but such a good resource. There is also a site called The Mighty that is dedicated to exploring the world of disability and the need to humanize people who are often reduced to either inspiration porn or invisibility.

https://writingwithcolor.tumblr.com/post/94223998982/braving-diversity-intro-post