Writeyourstory - Blog Posts

This is probably asking a lot, especially because it comes out of nowhere, but I figure if this story is gonna get even an ounce of traction, it'll be on timblr.

I'm a disabled, fat, queer, neurodivergent author who writes about disabled, fat, queer, neurodivergent characters and topics.

My current project, Passing for Fine, is about an agender ex-athlete named Jessie who develops fibromyalgia after a traumatic accident. They end up gaining weight, being totally abandoned by their teammates and people they thought of as friends, and moves to a new city to live with their overbearing, perfectionist mom.

While in this new city, Jessie meets a cadre of new friends who all, in one way or another, fall between the cracks, or don't fit the mold you'd expect.

Ryan is an ex-felon turned baker (literally looks like he could kill you but is actually a cinnamon roll) who struggles with the way he's percieved due to his plethora of tattoos (some of whoch are pretty scary). Ash is a wheelchair-bound transman who works at a gym and is the only one of the group who owns their own vehicle. Alexis is a Black woman who helps manage the local community garden and co-op but struggles to feel welcomed in Black spaces due to her lighter skin tone. Eddie is a non-binary phlebotomist who struggles to be taken seriously as a non-binary person due to xir masculine appearance.

Ultimately, it's supposed to be a rom-com, but the story also deals with Jessie's depression, internalized ableism, and self-doubt (all of which they work to overcome/adjust to/live with throughout the story) while they are also helping to save Ryan's café from gentrification and over reaching landlords.

I'm currently in the process of my second draft, but was thinking if enough people seemed interested by this initial post, that I'd start posting chapters here, too.

The cover was made by Carmilla from carmillacreates.com

I wanted to start this post by referencing this quote about when the world is shitty, you should make art, but I can't remember the whole quote or who said it, so I guess whoever is reading this is stuck with just me.

Honestly, not being able to find or think of this full quote is pretty much a good example of where my brain power is right now.

I am so scared and sad and angry that I don't know what to do and can't form coherent thoughts. I feel helpless and all I want to do is make all the bad things STOP.

But I can't do that.

Not realistically. Not by myself.

I'm disabled, and a parent, and I run the tiniest non-profit known to man, so I have neither time nor money to dedicate to protests and riots like I wish I could.

I feel guilty. I feel like a coward.

But I also want to help make people feel safe, and I don't know how.

So...I dunno. I'm making art. It's the only thing I can do—the only thing I know how to do.

I don't know what to call it yet, but there's a story brewing inside me, a throat-tearing scream of a book about the need for community and gentleness. And books and plants.

Idk if it'll go anywhere, but I'll try to share it here.

I just know I NEED to do SOMETHING, even if this is all I CAN do.

Opinions on Trans Werewolves?

I'm a non-binary author, and one of the stories I'm working on has a werewolf as one of the two main characters. Inspired by a remark one of my trans friends made, I initially began writing this character as a transwoman (the idea being that they understand the need to rip off your flesh). However, while discussing my story with one of my non-binary friends, they remarked that the idea of a trans werewolf gave them the ick because it felt a little like saying that trans people are animals or not human, which is NOT what I want to covey whatsoever. Still another trans friend said they liked the idea because when they were first transitioning they only came out of the closet at night, and the idea of being a little bit feral resonated with them (trans rights or I bites).

I had initially planned to have my transfemme bestie and her polycule help me alpha read for this story so I could ensure the character was authentic, and they all really liked the idea, but now I'm stuck.

I do NOT want to accidentally send a bad message or image that I think trans people are less than. This character being a werewolf is integral to the story, so now I have to decide if I want to go through with making them trans or not.

I would really love if some trans and non-binary folks could give me their opinions on trans werewolf characters. I am genuinely looking for constructive criticism.