A few things first:
1. Anita is stopping at Elana Johnson's today with a video! By the way, Elana is having a fun contest, Tag, You're It, through facebook (both links take you to Elana's blog).
2. Andrew Smith is revealing the cover to his next novel, Stick (which I may or may not cryptically refer to below), via other bloggers. I'm linking to Matt at The QQQE for the reveal because I owe him one after forgetting to link to his host post on Wednesday.
And now to spring clean my mind:
If you've read the ABOUT ME at the top of the sidebar you know that I am gay. I have an odd confession on this topic: I have two opposing thoughts plaguing my mind. Please keep in mind that I do not find either of these thoughts to be normal or even acceptable - they just...are.
As a writer, I sort of feel like I have an advantage by being gay. Many agents state that they are looking for quality LGBT stories that don't bang the reader over the head with a message - or something like that. As irrational as it sounds, I think that's exactly where my writing career can and will start. While I do not doubt a good writer's ability to produce a genuine-sounding gay character (I am reading such a novel right now, written by a friend who is straight), I think the perspective I have is different in the way that it wants out of me - it doesn't necessarily have to do with my writing chops. After a life of feeling disadvantaged, perhaps this is just my mind playing tricks on me.
On the other hand, I am also going into secondary education. Not a day goes by without me dreaming up a scenario where being gay makes my job hell. It may sound ridiculous, but it weighs heavily on my mind. Did you know that many states have no law against firing a teacher for being gay? Sadly, many of those states are where teaching jobs are available. Job security and anti-job security in the same place, go freaking figure.
The other day, I wrote that teaching is my fall back if writing doesn't work out. Well, in all honesty, they switch places every other day. Today, writing is a fall back in case teaching doesn't work out.
And I'll restate that I think all this sounds ridiculous; I am making a mountain out of a molehill. Just putting my thoughts out there because man do they take up a lot of space in my head.
Nice to meet you through the A-Z challenge :) Hope to see you around!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I think you worry too much, just be yourself, live life, and stop thinking about bad scenarios, because that's what you will bring upon yourself if you continue.
Good Luck with the rest of the challenge :)
Jon, I bet that your life experiences will bring a unique perspective to your writing, no matter what kind of character you write about. And you have a strong voice, which has more to do with who you are than any one characteristic about you, so I believe you have more than a few books in you!
ReplyDeleteAs for the fear about bad teaching scenarios, I heartily sympathize. I'm not gay, and I still think up scary scenarios where, in the current climate of education, I can fall into trouble. (Writing about spiritualists and seances, for example, or publishing a novel in the future with "mature" content ...) Sadly, education is a stressful business these days.
When I attended a conference a couple of years ago, I heard an editor for a LGBT publisher talk about trying to find books where being gay wasn't the central part of the story, but just a trait of the character. I think that's happening with ethnic characters too. And I think that's a big step towards accepting everyone.
ReplyDeleteIt's like the saying says, write what you know. Both writing and teaching are admirable. You know, you can do both!
ReplyDeleteI've heard the same thing at a conference as Theresa. Hmmm. Wonder if we were at the same one.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great point though. We've moved far enough forward in acceptance (though apparently not as far forward as I would like to believe) that it shouldn't be the main point in telling a story. No more than a book should focus on a hetrosexual mc being straight as the central part of the story.
I know you will find success in whatever you do. You are smart, funny, and a wonderful writer with an awesome voice. You will be an amazing teacher. <3 you!!!
ReplyDeleteI actually think your Sasquatch Eleanor will be published first but that's just me. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, there is no reason why you couldn't be a published author AND a teacher!
It is sad to think that in this day and age, you have to even have the slightest worry about possibly being fired for being gay. Thankfully society is moving to be more accepting, but unfortunately there are still ignorant people that have their prejudices.
Oh! I love how you keep changing the top of your blog! Very cool!!!! (My fave is still the Sasquatch one though)
ReplyDeleteHappy you're writing gay protagonists; we need more of them on the shelves. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll try to keep up with the changes! :0)
ReplyDeleteI don't think you sound irrational at all. Straight people CAN write credible gay characters, just like men can write women believably, and vice-versa. But it would be silly to think you don't have greater insight to a character who is similar to you in some major aspect.
ReplyDeleteRe teaching: I sincerely hope you find a place in academia where sexual preference doesn't matter. Things ARE getting better in that regard, but there's a long way left to go. All you can do is be the best teacher you can possibly be, and let your example speak for itself. :)
I think you just need to move to a more liberal area. Hmmm. Where might that be?
ReplyDeleteI have several gay people in my life and family who are very important to me, and who are some of the coolest people I know. I commend both you and Andrew for telling the truth about these things in fiction.
ReplyDeleteOh, and thanks for the link. I also love your new design here!
On sadder note, I bet I live in a state where a teach could be fired for being gay. That infuriates me.
ReplyDeleteIn my classes we talk a lot about voice, and how part of voice is what you, the author, have to say that no one else can say. It sounds like you're well on your way to figuring that out!
ReplyDeleteI support this message (also being gay). And I understand you when you say the world out there has very little as far as laws to protect us minorities. We need to stick together and maybe we can change some of that stuff.
ReplyDeleteHi Jon. I found your blog through A to Z. You sound as if you are well on your way to finding your writing voice and that is something to celebrate. Have faith in your abilities and that will make it happen.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have met you!
I think you do have a unique perspective and I hope you pick writing *and* teaching so I can read your book one day. Agents are constantly saying they want to find a book where being gay isn't an "issue" but is just part of who the character is.
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't believe you can get fired for being gay and teaching. It's legal? Do gay kids get expelled? Because that's equally as ridiculous.
I've been in several school hiring committees...for teachers and administrators...on the committees, we would never even THINK about discussing whether someone was gay. And there are people here who don't want certain teachers because they're Jewish or Mexican or whatever. Just go do your thing. Love people. Love life. That's what's about.
ReplyDeleteah, at least you live in USA, imagine being gay in some less developed, more traditional country. Those are real troubles :)
ReplyDeletePS teaching should never be something you do only as a back up, teaching should be done when you want to change the world by being there for teens and troubled young people and when you want to give them inspiration and help and knowledge. All of that in the first place ... money and everything else is on the bottom of the list.
Teaching should be chosen because you want a job where your very soul that is fed by the children you teach is the next second torn apart by the bureaucracy and moronic parents that vote against teacher rights then complain that their children aren't being taught correctly. And one of those rights should be that you should teach if you can, not because of who you love. I know a guy that was fired because he was gay, and it outrages me to this day. (My mom is a teacher too, so I have a lot of deep-seated grudges, sorry about the rantiness...)
ReplyDeleteNot that being a writer is any easier! It's like you thought to yourself.... "What two things could I chose to do or be that would make things quite difficult for me, but incredibly rewarding if I can pull it off..."
But if anyone can, it's you, brother!
I think there are things about ourselves and our life choices that many of us worry will impact our careers or other aspects of our lives important to us because of the fears or prejudices of others. I don't think it's irrational to think about how being gay might impact your life, especially given the history of things. But I do have faith that you'll be able to have the quality life you deserve with a satisfying job whether it's as a writer or a teacher. If teaching is your heart's desire, then go for it. Try not to fear what may never come to pass. We can't always plan for the hatred of others, but we can focus on being the best people we can be, strong and self-assured, so that if it does happen, we feel equipped to deal with it. Just think of the kind of role model that you can be--all of the hardships that you have suffered, there are others out there that suffer them too, perhaps some of your future students. Let these difficulties of your past be your strengths as a teacher, to reach out and offer comfort and hope to those suffering the same. <>
ReplyDeleteHere via A to Z blogging challenge and so glad I stopped by. While I love that you recognize that your two thoughts (fears?) are probably ridiculous, I'm very impressed that you've still chosen to put it out there. This says that you're working through those thoughts (fears?). Yay you!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
http://meanderingwithmiche.blogspot.com/
Hey from another A-Z challenger, happens to be gay too. Interesting to note your writing friend being straight. The percentage of m/m romance novels written by straight women, it's incredible, even some lesbians get in on the action. I wonder why that is. In terms of your writing, don't they say everything is autobiographical, so if you don't hit your sexuality over the head of anyone, I'm sure your writing will show that. Good luck with your teaching education. I like the design of your blog too.
ReplyDelete