Same Energy

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.

This is a real poster in a real town with a real phone number. You will get a voicemail asking you to leave a message about your dreams.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep

Story concept I've been toying around with:

Maladaptive daydreamer is actually a dimension hopper or something, but the two realities keep blending together in weird ways, and then there is some kind of plot, too.

Totally not inspired by personal experience.

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.

A few days ago, I was prepping garden starts in my dining room when I saw something strange in the sliding glass door to the backyard. Shadow after shadow after shadow fell across the glass as something—or, rather, a lot of somethings—was decending on my front lawn.

I turned and went to the front window to see SO MANY STARLINGS (and one scrub jay) pecking at the grass.

They were there for roughly twelve seconds, and then as quickly as they had come, they were gone.

It was the first time I had seen that in my home (rather than a park or woods), so I'm glad I managed to get pictures!

Me reading Qin Zheng's speech during the coronation

Watercolor, colored pencil, and photo of a scrub jay in the hedges by my house.

I'm trying to get back into creating art after a VERY long hiatus, so any constructive criticism/advice would be appreciated.

Rebloging because I can only assume the Simpsons screenshot is in reference to the people who get hung up on singular their being the ones getting dumber.

Because they are.

Because singular their is grammatically correct and has been established for centuries.

Anyone getting pissy about it is dumb.