[ SECRET POST #3420 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #3420 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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[Banana Fish]


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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 051 secrets from Secret Submission Post #489.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I write a disabled character that I've gotten very positive feedback about in fanfic. The key to writing them is not to think of them as disabled. They're fully formed people just like everyone else. The only difference is how they handle their disability, and often how they physically get around since many disabilities in writing are physical in nature.

I know it sounds strange, but I don't look at the character as if there's something wrong with him. He acknowledges his condition and refuses to let it slow him down in life.

What I'm trying to say is that there's nothing to be scared of, OP. It sounds like you write your diversified characters with respect, and I'm sure that would continue with disabled characters.

[(Anonymous)]

I think this is key to writing any sort of character with a trait the author isn't familiar with. How do you write good POC characters? By remembering they're people, just like you. A disabled person isn't solely characterized by their disability, just like a POC isn't solely characterized by the color of their skin. You wouldn't write an able-bodied white character with only one personality trait and expect people to think it was a well written, well rounded character, so do the same for all your characters. Make them real people.

[dinogrrl]

^This. I have several characters across a few fics of mine who have varying types and degrees of physical disabilities, mental handicaps, and psychological disorders, both ones they were born with and ones acquired as a result of circumstances. It's been fascinating and sobering to see how these progress, how the characters themselves and those around them react, and how to write from the point of view of some of my more severely disabled characters. As of yet, I haven't had any negative comments about any of those characters, and actually have gotten good feedback about them.

The key, as with anything, is to do your research, treat the character respectfully as a whole person, and be open to critique if someone comes to you with concerns.

[eleganceliberty]

Agreed on that first point.

I have a wheelchair-bound character in one of my original comic projects, and his disability has absolutely no bearing on the plot or his character arc whatsoever. But I had at least two acquaintances I know told me it was ridiculous (for lack of a better description) to have a wheelchair-bound character in a futuristic sci-fi based story. And I'm sure they won't be the last people to point that out... :/ But I strongly believe in seeing this character and his arc through (of which it plays no major part of), so I'm sticking with my guns on this one.

But yeah, treating them like characters first and foremost is an important part. If you focus too much on the disability, however well meaning you might be, it runs the risk of being borderline tokenism. There's a clear difference between a fully fleshed out character, who just so happens to have a disability, and a blatant attempt to score diversity points that solely focuses on that one aspect of the character and neglects everything else.