How to Write LGBTQ Fantasy: A Comprehensive Guide for New Authors
- Gary Clarke
- Sep 9, 2024
- 12 min read
Fantasy literature has long been a space for imaginative storytelling and world-building, offering readers an escape from the mundane and a glimpse into worlds where anything is possible. For new authors diving into the realm of lgbtq fantasy, there is a unique opportunity to not only create captivating tales but also to challenge traditional narratives and offer fresh perspectives on identity and societal norms. This guide aims to provide an in-depth exploration of writing queer fantasy, blending practical advice with academic insights and writing prompts to help you craft stories that are both innovative and respectful.
1. Research and Sensitivity
The Role of Sensitivity Readers
Incorporating queer themes into fantasy requires careful attention to accuracy and respect. Sensitivity readers play a crucial role in this process by providing feedback on the portrayal of queer characters and experiences. Their insights can help authors avoid stereotypes and ensure that their representations are authentic and respectful.
Case Studies: For instance, consider how sensitivity readers have influenced popular works like The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. Shannon worked with sensitivity readers to address concerns about the portrayal of queer characters, resulting in a more nuanced and respectful representation.
Practical Research Tips
Engage with Queer Literature: Read widely within the genre to understand different representations of queer identities. Books like The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune and Carmen Maria Machado’s In the Dream House offer valuable perspectives on queer experiences.
Study Queer Theory Texts: Delve into queer theory to inform your writing. Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble and Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick’s Epistemology of the Closet are essential reads for understanding the theoretical underpinnings of queer representation.
Consult Sensitivity Readers: Work with sensitivity readers who can provide constructive feedback on your portrayal of queer characters and experiences. Their input is invaluable for creating authentic and respectful narratives.
2. Crafting Diverse Worlds
Innovative World-Building
Creating a diverse and inclusive fantasy world involves rethinking traditional norms and societal structures. Farah Mendlesohn’s work on fantasy literature highlights the importance of intentional world-building, where every aspect of the setting reflects the thematic concerns of the story. In queer fantasy, this means designing worlds that challenge and expand upon conventional gender and sexuality norms.
Examples: In N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth trilogy, the society of the Stillness includes diverse gender roles and non-normative relationships. Jemisin’s world-building reflects a deep understanding of how societal structures can be reimagined to accommodate a range of identities.
Exercises: To help with world-building, consider creating a worksheet that prompts you to explore different societal roles and norms. For example, you might map out various gender identities and sexual orientations within your world and consider how these impact social structures, laws, and cultural practices.
Practical World-Building Tips
Reimagine Gender and Sexual Norms: Think about how gender and sexuality are structured in your fantasy world. Are there multiple genders or sexual orientations? How do these impact societal roles and relationships?
Develop Inclusive Societies: Create cultures that embrace and celebrate diversity. Design social norms, legal systems, and cultural practices that reflect a range of identities.
Avoid Tokenism: Ensure that diverse representations are integral to the story and not just superficial. Characters and cultures should be fully developed and essential to the narrative.
3. Character Development
Creating Multi-Dimensional Characters
In queer fantasy, characters should be portrayed with depth and complexity. Michael Warner’s concept of “queer as a verb” suggests that queerness involves actively challenging norms and exploring fluid identities. Applying this concept involves creating characters who are not only diverse but also deeply developed.
Character Profiles: Analyze successful queer characters from literature to understand what makes them compelling. For example, in The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin, characters such as the trans character, who navigates multiple identities and societal expectations, are portrayed with rich complexity.
Archetypes: Discuss common archetypes in queer fantasy and how to subvert or expand upon them. For instance, the “magical queer” trope can be reimagined to offer more nuanced portrayals of queer characters who are not defined solely by their identities but have their own goals and agency.
Practical Character Development Tips
Develop Well-Rounded Characters: Avoid stereotypes by creating characters with distinct personalities, goals, and backgrounds. Their queer identities should be part of their overall characterization, not the sole defining feature.
Showcase a Range of Experiences: Represent various queer experiences and identities. This might include exploring different sexual orientations, gender identities, and cultural backgrounds.
Highlight Personal Growth: Allow your characters to grow and evolve throughout the story. Their journeys should reflect both personal development and the broader impact of their actions and choices.
4. Plot and Conflict
Exploring Identity and Conflict
Conflict in queer fantasy often arises from the tension between societal expectations and individual identity. Laura M. L. Lee’s analysis of identity conflicts in queer literature highlights how characters navigate and resist normative pressures. This type of conflict can drive the plot and deepen the exploration of themes related to identity and acceptance.
Examples: In The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, the protagonist faces conflict due to the gender norms of the planet Gethen, which challenges his understanding of identity and societal roles. This conflict drives the narrative and explores broader themes of gender and acceptance.
Personal and Social Change: Allow characters to effect change both personally and within their world. Their journeys should reflect how they navigate societal expectations and how their actions contribute to broader shifts in their world.
Practical Plot Development Tips
Develop Identity-Based Conflicts: Create plots that revolve around characters’ struggles with societal norms and expectations. This could involve personal challenges, societal pressures, or conflicts with other characters who hold different views.
Emphasize Personal and Social Change: Allow your characters to effect change in their world or within themselves. Their journeys should reflect both personal growth and broader societal shifts.
Incorporate Queer Themes Meaningfully: Ensure that queer themes are woven into the core of your narrative. The way characters interact with their world and each other should reflect the broader themes of identity and resistance.
5. Language and Representation
Crafting Inclusive Language
Language plays a crucial role in shaping how queer identities are represented in fantasy literature. Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick’s exploration of language and desire underscores the importance of using language that reflects and respects diverse experiences. This involves creating a lexicon that accurately represents the range of identities and relationships within your fantasy world.
Examples: In A Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, the use of respectful and nuanced language helps convey the complexity of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. This approach can be applied to create authentic and respectful representations in queer fantasy.
Avoiding Harmful Stereotypes: Be mindful of language or descriptions that reinforce stereotypes or perpetuate negative portrayals. Focus on creating authentic and respectful representations of queer identities.
Practical Language Tips
Use Respectful Terminology: Be mindful of the terms and pronouns used in your narrative. Create a consistent and respectful lexicon that aligns with the identities and experiences of your characters.
Reflect Fluidity: Language in queer fantasy should reflect the fluidity of identities and relationships. Avoid rigid categorizations and explore how characters navigate and express their identities in diverse and evolving ways.
Avoid Harmful Stereotypes: Steer clear of language or descriptions that reinforce stereotypes. Focus on creating authentic and respectful portrayals.
6. Feedback and Revisions
Incorporating Diverse Perspectives
Feedback is essential for refining your queer fantasy narrative and ensuring that it resonates with diverse audiences. Robin Talbot’s research on representation in literature emphasizes the importance of incorporating multiple perspectives to address potential biases and enhance authenticity.
Gathering Feedback: Seek feedback from a broad range of readers, including those from the queer community. Their perspectives can provide valuable insights and help you refine your portrayal of queer identities.
Revisions and Improvements: Use feedback to make informed revisions. Address any concerns or suggestions thoughtfully and consider how changes might impact the overall narrative and representation.
Practical Feedback Tips
Seek Feedback from Diverse Readers: Beyond sensitivity readers, gather input from a broad range of readers, including those from the queer community. Their perspectives can provide valuable insights and help you refine your portrayal of queer identities.
Revise Thoughtfully: Use feedback to make informed revisions. Address any concerns or suggestions thoughtfully and consider how changes might impact the overall narrative and representation.
Iterate and Improve: Writing is an iterative process. Be open to revising and improving your work based on feedback and continued research. Strive to create a narrative that is both engaging and respectful of queer experiences.
7. Editing and Proofreading
Ensuring Accuracy in Representation
Editing and proofreading are critical stages in the writing process, particularly when dealing with sensitive topics like queer representation. Effective editing not only polishes the language but also ensures that the portrayal of queer identities is accurate and respectful.
Checklist for Reviewing Queer Representation:
Terminology Accuracy: Ensure that all terminology related to queer identities is current and correctly used. Check that you’re using the appropriate terms for different identities and that they align with contemporary usage.
Avoiding Stereotypes: Review your manuscript for any potential stereotypes or clichés. Characters should be multidimensional and their queer identities should be integrated into their overall characterization rather than being the sole focus.
Consistency: Verify that the representation of queer characters is consistent throughout the manuscript. Their identities should be portrayed in a way that aligns with their development and the world-building elements.
Sensitivity Reader Feedback: Incorporate any final feedback from sensitivity readers to ensure that all representations are respectful and nuanced. Address any concerns or suggestions they provide to improve the portrayal of queer characters.
Practical Tips for Effective Editing:
Develop a Detailed Style Guide: Create a style guide that outlines the specific terms, pronouns, and representations used in your manuscript. This will help ensure consistency and accuracy throughout the editing process.
Seek Multiple Rounds of Feedback: Conduct multiple rounds of editing and incorporate feedback from different types of readers, including sensitivity readers, beta readers, and professional editors.
Focus on Intersectionality: Pay special attention to intersectional aspects of queer identities, such as race, class, and ability. Ensure that these intersections are portrayed thoughtfully and accurately
8. Future Trends in Queer Fantasy
Emerging Trends and Innovations
Queer fantasy is an ever-evolving genre, with new trends and innovative approaches continuously reshaping its landscape. Staying informed about these trends can help you craft stories that are both contemporary and relevant.
Key Trends in Queer Fantasy:
Intersectional Narratives: Recent works increasingly explore the intersectionality of queer identities with other aspects of diversity. For example, Black Water Sister by Zen Cho integrates queer themes with cultural and racial identities, showcasing how diverse experiences can enrich fantasy narratives.
Exploration of Non-Western Mythologies: Queer fantasy is expanding beyond Western mythologies to include diverse cultural perspectives. R.F Kuang’s The Poppy War blends queer representation with Chinese mythology, illustrating how non-Western cultural elements can be reimagined within the genre.
Fluid Identities and Multiverse Concepts: The concept of fluid identities is gaining traction, particularly through innovative narrative structures. The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson uses multiverse travel to explore gender and sexual fluidity, reflecting a growing trend towards incorporating complex identity concepts into fantasy worlds.
Reimagining Classic Tales: Queer adaptations of classic fantasy and folklore are becoming more prevalent. Genevieve Gornichec’s The Witch’s Heart reinterprets Norse mythology through a queer lens, demonstrating how ancient stories can be reimagined to include diverse identities.
Queer Representation in Fairy Tales and Folklore: New works are challenging traditional fairy tale conventions by incorporating queer elements. Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor, while not explicitly queer, presents a world where non-normative relationships are portrayed with respect, reflecting a broader trend of integrating diverse queer elements into fantasy structures.
9. Reading List
Essential Queer Fantasy Reads
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Publisher: Ace Books
Publication Date: 1969
An early classic that explores themes of gender and sexuality through a unique alien culture with a fluid concept of gender.
Troubling the Angels: Queer Theory and the Ethics of the Norm by Lisa Duggan
Publisher: Duke University Press
Publication Date: 1998
Explores the ethical implications of queer theory, touching on themes of normativity and resistance.
A Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Publisher: Ecco Press
Publication Date: 2011
A nuanced portrayal of the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus with a focus on respectful representation.
The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
Publisher: Orbit Books
Publication Dates:
The Fifth Season (2015)
The Obelisk Gate (2016)
The Stone Sky (2017)
Explore how Jemisin’s world-building incorporates diverse gender roles and non-normative relationships.
The Tensorate Series by Neon YangPublisher: Tor.com
Publication Dates:
The Black Tides of Heaven (2017)
The Red Threads of Fortune (2017)
The Descent of Monsters (2018)
The Ascent to Godhood (2019)
Explores gender fluidity and queer relationships in a fantastical setting.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Publisher: Tor.com
Publication Date: 2019
A unique blend of science fiction and fantasy, featuring complex queer relationships and a necromantic mystery in a vividly imagined world.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha ShannonPublisher: Bloomsbury PublishingPublication Date: 2019A sweeping epic that includes diverse queer characters and intricate world-building.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: 2020
A heartwarming story featuring a diverse cast of characters and themes of found family and acceptance.
The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: 2020
Delve into a richly detailed world with complex queer characters and relationships.
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
Publisher: Orbit Books
Publication Date: 2020
Features a trans character navigating multiple identities and societal expectations.
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: 2021
A reimagining of Chinese history with a strong focus on gender identity, featuring a protagonist who defies societal expectations.
Foundational Queer Theory Texts
The Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power by Audre Lorde
Publisher: Kore Press
Publication Date: 1978
While not exclusively a queer theory text, Lorde’s essay is foundational in exploring how the erotic can be a source of empowerment and resistance against oppression.
The History of Sexuality by Michel Foucault
Publisher: Éditions Gallimard (French) / Pantheon Books (English)
Publication Dates:
Volume 1: An Introduction (1976)
Volume 2: The Use of Pleasure (1984)
Volume 3: The Care of the Self (1984)
Foucault’s exploration of the intersections of power, knowledge, and sexuality is foundational for queer theory.
Gender Trouble by Judith Butler
Publisher: Routledge
Publication Date: 1990
Essential for understanding gender performativity and fluidity.
Epistemology of the Closet by Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
Publisher: University of California Press
Publication Date: 1990
Offers insights into understanding desires and identities on a spectrum.
Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza by Gloria Anzaldúa
Publisher: Aunt Lute Books
Publication Date: 1987
A foundational text for understanding the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality, especially within Chicanx and Latinx contexts.
My Gender Workbook by Kate Bornstein
Publisher: Routledge
Publication Date: 19987
A blend of autobiography and theory, providing insights into non-binary and trans identities and the concept of gender as a spectrum.
Female Masculinity by Jack Halberstam
Publisher: Duke University Press
Publication Date: 1998
Explores masculinity as experienced by those who are not male, offering insights into gender performance and identity.
The Trouble with Normal: Sex, Politics, and the Ethics of Queer Life by Michael Warner
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Publication Date: 1999
Critiques the normalization of queer identities and explores the political implications of assimilation versus radicalism.
Bodies That Matter by Judith Butler
Publisher: Routledge
Publication Date: 1993
Extends the ideas from Gender Trouble to explore how bodies are materialized and how gender norms are enforced.
No Future: Queer Theory and the Death Drive by Lee Edelman
Publisher: Duke University Press
Publication Date: 2004
This a provocative text that argues for rejecting reproductive futurism in favour of embracing the politics of the present.
Cruising Utopia: The Then and There of Queer Futurity by José Esteban Muñoz
Publisher: NYU Press
Publication Date: 2009
Essential for understanding queer temporality and the concept of queer utopia.
Testo Junkie: Sex, Drugs, and Biopolitics in the Pharmacopornographic Era by Paul B. Preciado
Publisher: Grasset & Fasquelle (French) / The Feminist Press (English)
Publication Dates: 2008 (French), 2013 (English)
Explores the intersections of gender, sexuality, and technology, particularly in the context of trans identities and biopolitics.
The Queer Art of Failure by Jack Halberstam
Publisher: Duke University Press
Publication Date: 2011
Explores alternative ways of understanding and engaging with queer identities.
Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution by Susan Stryker
Publisher: Seal Press
Publication Date: 2017
A comprehensive overview of transgender history, including key movements, figures, and moments that have shaped the current landscape.
Gender Trouble in the Flesh: Performativity, Embodiment, and Queer Temporality by Judith Butler
Publisher: Routledge
Publication Date: 2022
An extension of Butler’s earlier work, focusing on the intersections of performativity, embodiment, and queer temporality.
Trans Care by Hil Malatino
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
Publication Date: 2020
A critical exploration of care within trans communities, emphasizing mutual aid, resilience, and survival strategies.
Queer Phenomenology: Orientations, Objects, Others by Sara Ahmed
Publisher: Duke University Press
Publication Date: 2006
Ahmed explores how queer identities and bodies navigate space, offering a fresh perspective on orientation and embodiment.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Publication Date: 2019
An experimental memoir providing valuable insights into queer experiences and representation.
10. LGBTQ Fantasy Writing Prompts
Creative Exercises for Queer Fantasy
World-Building Challenge: Design a fantasy world where gender roles are fluid and non-binary identities are central. Explore how these norms affect societal structures, politics, and daily life.
Conflict Scenario: Develop a plot in which a character’s queer identity clashes with societal norms. Explore how this tension influences their personal journey and the broader narrative arc.
Dialogue Prompt: Create a dialogue between two queer characters discussing their experiences in a world where queer identities are either accepted or persecuted. Examine how their identities shape their perspectives and interactions.
Exploring Relationships: Write a scene where a queer character forms a romantic or platonic relationship with someone from a different cultural background. Analyze how their diverse identities intersect and impact their relationship dynamics.
Reimagining Tropes: Take a familiar fantasy trope, such as the “chosen one” or “hero’s journey,” and reimagine it with a queer protagonist. Consider how their identity affects their journey and the challenges they encounter.
Sensitivity Reader Feedback: Draft a passage featuring a queer character and seek feedback from a sensitivity reader. Revise the passage based on their suggestions, focusing on improving authenticity and respectfulness.
Conclusion
Embarking on the journey of writing queer fantasy offers a unique opportunity to blend creativity with inclusivity. As you craft your stories, focus on creating diverse, multidimensional characters and worlds that challenge traditional norms. Leverage queer theory to deepen your understanding of identity and representation, and integrate thoughtful feedback from sensitive readers to ensure authenticity and respect.
Stay informed about emerging trends, such as intersectional narratives and non-Western mythologies, to keep your work relevant and innovative. Draw inspiration from essential queer fantasy reads and foundational queer theory texts to enrich your storytelling. Remember, the process of writing queer fantasy is both creative and collaborative, involving continuous revisions and engagement with diverse perspectives.
By embracing these practices, you contribute to a vibrant and evolving genre that celebrates diversity and challenges conventions. Your stories have the potential to offer fresh perspectives and foster greater understanding of queer experiences. Happy writing, and may your queer fantasy narratives resonate deeply with readers and pave the way for more inclusive storytelling.
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