This is part open rant part open letter. I don't really expect any replies, but I'd like to get this off of my chest.
Last night I was feeling emo. I had apparently flubbed a few lines in my latest installment of the Thunderhorses story and apparently conveyed that I don't think bisexuals are capable of lasting relationships. Never mind that the character who had this thought was feeling emo himself and searching for any excuse he could as to why his relationship wouldn't work.
I digress.
That little bit of emo, while having absolutely nothing to do with the situation at hand, tipped over the first domino and made me really start thinking about my writing efforts as of late. I've been a bit aimless, honestly; I like to write, but I'm not really finding a story that speaks to me that I have to put on paper. That's why I've been publishing little bits and pieces that sort of wander about.
Certain people that I often turn to reflected that I needed to stop writing those damned female OCs and try some AU or something. Try writing some AU? Like that piece I published on October the 8th? Or how about any of the 'Bits' series that have been in publication since last year? Obviously that worked; thanks so much for paying attention.
And while we're on the subject, where did I miss the new law that passed that says female OC = evil? Honestly. Certain people have seen my female OCs develop from the ground up and usually there's a two week grace period where they praise my originality and ability to develop a female character that isn't just a thinly disguised version of myself. Once this date passes, every mention of said character is a thinly disguised version of myself and everything she likes is OBVIOUSLY everything I like despite all evidence to the contrary.
I'm not sure what brings about this personailty shift, but it's officially gotten old.
I don't subscribe to the view that every male character ever written is gay. Call me crazy, I like the idea of a man who's still after poontang. However, most of the fandoms I like have few if any native female characters. I can create female characters.
Really.
I can; it's not even a thing.
But no; obviously every female character I create is a representation of myself! You found me out! I'm secretly a tall/super short/average height, teenage/adult/octogenarian, moody/cheerful/deranged drifter/children's entertainer/Nazi.
I thought I was so careful.
"Oh, but the old Nazi is cool! We like the old Nazi! In fact, we like her so much we're going to steal her."
Excuse me?
I'm not exactly protective of my characters. I *like it* when other people take a crack at them. I hand out the chance to use them like candy I don't care for. So I'm not sure what prompted the approach of 'We're going to make her German instead of an Irish-born Nazi collaborator so we can claim that this isn't your character. Not going to change anything else though, because screw it; why mess with a good thing?'
That's . . . . that's a real slap in the face.
I mean, it's not like there's a lot of different fan-made versions of Jack's grandmother out there. I'd really have no room to bitch if there was a well known Granny Spicer, Grandma Spicer, Grandmother Spicer, Grandmama Spicer, Grossmutter Spicer, Nan Spicer, Oma Spicer, and Zu Mu Spicer. The only thing that the show stated is that Jack liked his grandmother and called her Granny.
Changing her just enough to claim Nana Spicer isn't mine . . . that's just kind of a dick move.
So the feedback I've gotten on my writing is 'Try something different, like the exact same things you've been doing. Don't write female characters, because they're all Mary Sues, except for the ones we like. Those we'll take and change just enough so we don't have to credit you.'
Part of me wants to throw down every story and fandom I'm currently a part of and write something with a female star and never touch any slash pairing ever again. I really am that disgusted.
That would leave Mooka out in the cold, however. Since they're both my OCs, they're kind of my responsibility.
At this point I'm going to knit and watch TV in the evenings until I feel better about the situation.
See you in December.