Writing Trans: Paired Scenes

waystoraise:

In my first article on transphobia in text I talked about the basic idea that if you’re writing fiction involving transphobia, directed at a trans character, it should be paired with scenes focusing on validation and/or affirmation. This week, I’m going to go into a little more detail about why that is.

Positive and affirming scenes have a huge impact, even when they’re relatively small. And they have a place in every narrative – even if yours has an overall tragic tone. Representation is vital, but the shape of that representation is equally so.

Below are some example reasons of why to write affirming scenes paired with those dealing in transphobia, and some tips on how to do so.

Why should I write them?

• They clearly outline transphobic behavior as negative and affirm your effforts and intent to do that.
• They help demonstrate that being trans is okay in an explicit manner, a different message than that being transphobic is bad, and one that needs communicating.
• They can produce and provide encouragement and ideas for self care in readers.
• Because it isn’t preachy, it shows valuable character development. Conflict moves a story forward, but growth is important, not all conflict is negative, and empowerment can cause and fuel conflict too.
• Because we see the dark, the painful, we are bombarded with the misery of being trans already. And not the wonders and joys of it. There are whole segments and bountiful marratives entirely unexplored.

What can affirming scenes look like?

• Self care is by no means exclusive to trans people, but it’s incredibly important to many of us. Showing that, and that taking care of yourself while trans is okay, can make a huge difference.
• The support of friends and family and their external affirmation is obviously not an option for everyone, or every narrative. But when present it’s powerful.
• Introspective scenes or conversation, even showing simple positive thoughts.
• Trans folks uplifting other trans folks. This one I can’t emohasize enough, it needs to be shown.
• Gender euphoria, especially if your story deals with dysphoria, isn’t talked about often. There’s a lot of room to explore this and to explore the positive experiences involved in being trans.
• Less can be more, but it still should be present. A scene can be short, it doesn’t have to change the flow of your story completely, but even a little is significant.

Please feel free to send us your favorite trans authors, a little bit about your favorite trans characters, or any questions or topics you’d like to see me address, too. For some of our new followers, you can find past Writing Trans articles here in the tag.

-Chris