"Chloe strolled down the hallway, arm in arm with her girlfriend Maria."
I wrote that sentence a few months ago, not really planning to create a same-sex couple. This was one of those 'happy accidents' that occurs from time to time. I liked it, so I stuck with it. I was influcenced, I suppose, by a piece I had written for a fan-fiction contest the month before.
I've read probably twenty-five different books since October of 2011. I've been sticking with YA fiction, for the most part, although I've read some urban fantasy and a few thrillers. In all of those books, I've seen only two gay characters. Twenty-five books, two gay characters, no couples.
Before I added a same-sex couple to my novel, I decided to get some perspective on this topic. I emailed an author and an agent and asked them if they were seeing gay and lesbian characters in popular fiction. The author never replied, but the agent sent me a nice message. He told me to follow my heart. That has worked pretty well for me to this point, so I decided to keep Chloe and Maria in the mix. I've even expanded their roles a bit. I like a diverse cast, I needed more female characters in important roles, and I like them; they're a cute couple.
What do you think? Do you want to see more gay and lesbian characters in popular fiction? Is there a significant difference between a gay character and a gay couple? How about a gay or bisexual main character?
Link to 'The Seventh Village of Tokakeriby Tomb Raider Story Competition'.
http://www.tokakeriby.com/VOT7
I wrote that sentence a few months ago, not really planning to create a same-sex couple. This was one of those 'happy accidents' that occurs from time to time. I liked it, so I stuck with it. I was influcenced, I suppose, by a piece I had written for a fan-fiction contest the month before.
I've read probably twenty-five different books since October of 2011. I've been sticking with YA fiction, for the most part, although I've read some urban fantasy and a few thrillers. In all of those books, I've seen only two gay characters. Twenty-five books, two gay characters, no couples.
Before I added a same-sex couple to my novel, I decided to get some perspective on this topic. I emailed an author and an agent and asked them if they were seeing gay and lesbian characters in popular fiction. The author never replied, but the agent sent me a nice message. He told me to follow my heart. That has worked pretty well for me to this point, so I decided to keep Chloe and Maria in the mix. I've even expanded their roles a bit. I like a diverse cast, I needed more female characters in important roles, and I like them; they're a cute couple.
What do you think? Do you want to see more gay and lesbian characters in popular fiction? Is there a significant difference between a gay character and a gay couple? How about a gay or bisexual main character?
Link to 'The Seventh Village of Tokakeriby Tomb Raider Story Competition'.
http://www.tokakeriby.com/VOT7
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