|
|
Post by Valhalla Erikson on Sept 17, 2021 16:19:08 GMT -6
I'm developing a Sci-Fantasy Cyberpunk Superhero story.
Summary: Azura Kusanagi is a teenager operating in Wolf-Crest city as the mysterious vigilante, Dragon Knight. Born to a supervillain couple, his/her family’s dark history weighs heavy on him/her as he/she attempts to become a hero.
As of recently I'm having a debate in my head on what gender the character should be. Originally I had the character as a male but the other part of my brain feels like making the character a female would be more interesting.
On one hand I'm not against the main character being a guy but otoh having the character be a female, plus a teenager, would give the story that Buffy vibe.
Any suggestions?
|
|
|
|
Post by ScintillaMyntan on Sept 19, 2021 13:23:12 GMT -6
I honestly kind of pick my protagonists' genders at random, but that's me.
Obviously there are a few things that make gender matter. For example, a guy is going to have to somehow interact with society's notion that men need to be strong and unemotional, whether he actively fits that notion, actively rejects it, or just has other people have it in mind when they think about him. If I need one of those things to happen, then my protagonist has to be a guy. Otherwise, that particular notion is just something incidental that my character will have to deal with if he's male.
My take is if your plot doesn't need your character to deal with gender role stuff, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference what gender they are. But if making your character a certain gender will increase conflict and help reveal some of the details of your fantasy world, that's handy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alatariel on Sept 19, 2021 17:10:56 GMT -6
If it makes the story more interesting to both you and the reader, then I say go with the more interesting choice.
But also, if you choose male, you can make him interesting by giving him other pieces to his identity that are different and give him more depth. Have him subvert gender norms and societal expectations in some way.
So I guess the question is, how can you make the character more dynamic and interesting regardless of gender?
(The quick answer is pick you character's traits based on what makes you excited to write.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Valhalla Erikson on Sept 19, 2021 18:01:32 GMT -6
Props to the sound advise guys. This does give me something to think about.
There was a plot I was constructing where the main character is being sexually harassed by the landlord of the complex the main character lives in. Yet the thing about the story is it has nothing to do with sexual attraction. Its that the landlord likes to use his power to dominate those he view as beneath him. And it is about the main character finding the courage to not only fight back against the abuser but expose his crimes in the process.
To me I see it as a gender neutral but I can see that most readers would find it uncommon that a male is being sexually harassed by another male. Yet it does show men do fall victim to that.
|
|
|
|
Post by pelwrath on Sept 19, 2021 18:28:05 GMT -6
What's your target audience? Any person can read any story but who are you writing it for? Your setting is interesting and doesn't preclude anything. You seem to like a gender-neutral character, then do that, don't give them a gender. Combine gender-identified elements on them. Use a nickname and not their real name, heck maybe they don't know or have a real name.
Most importantly like and have fun with the characters as you write the stroy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Valhalla Erikson on Sept 19, 2021 18:58:58 GMT -6
What's your target audience? Any person can read any story but who are you writing it for? Your setting is interesting and doesn't preclude anything. You seem to like a gender-neutral character, then do that, don't give them a gender. Combine gender-identified elements on them. Use a nickname and not their real name, heck maybe they don't know or have a real name. Most importantly like and have fun with the characters as you write the stroy. I could use that. What would be a nice nickname for Azura? The origin of the name comes from The Azure Dragon of Japanese Mythology. With the character being a teenager my target audience is more in the Young Adult range. |
|
|
|
Post by pelwrath on Sept 19, 2021 19:41:03 GMT -6
Nicknames are generally bestowed. Caligula is a nickname, it means little boot and was given the future emperor by his guard when he was a kid. His full name was Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus, which nobody remembers.
|
|
|
|
Post by bilance on Sept 19, 2021 19:55:51 GMT -6
Why not just have siblings? You can toggle POV depending on who has the more interesting situation.
|
|
|
|
Post by Valhalla Erikson on Sept 19, 2021 19:56:03 GMT -6
Nicknames are generally bestowed. Caligula is a nickname, it means little boot and was given the future emperor by his guard when he was a kid. His full name was Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus, which nobody remembers. Huh. And here I thought his name actually was Caligula  |
|
|
|
Post by Valhalla Erikson on Sept 19, 2021 20:04:52 GMT -6
Why not just have siblings? You can toggle POV depending on who has the more interesting situation. I have considered that but, given the title, I wouldn't want to confuse the readers by having them wonder who is the main character of the series. Each of them have a interesting enough background: Shen, the oldest sibling, was a former Rogue(super villain) who has reformed and now runs a Paragon For Hire business. Azura was the offspring of a super villain couple but wishes to become a hero. When discovering their parent's origins they want to come out of their shadow and establish a legacy into something more honorable. Ryu is a half-elf who has face prejudice because of his heritage. He wants to help his siblings because he wants to help those who have been oppressed like he was. |
|
slbutler
Ember
Posts: 103
Preferred Pronouns: Him/He
|
Post by slbutler on Sept 20, 2021 18:17:59 GMT -6
I think I like the idea present by several people here about subverting gender norms. Your character could be any and it could become an interesting plot point. That could be a lot of fun i think and an interesting take on the fantasy genre that is much less commonly done.
|
|
You add them to your profile as you do them around the forum.
