Cow Rant: Writing and Stereotypes

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

I guess this could go in an actual serious section but whatever.

This is my own thoughts. Disagree, agree, whatever. I don't claim to be the most knowledgeable on anything.

 

Okay so here's the long and short of it.

It's fine to write stereotypes.

It really, really, is.

Now I'm a big supporter of not intentionally offending people and, personally, trying to be kind and polite to all genders/races/etc etc etc so forth.

But when it comes to writing? Now that's a bit different.

 

Because writing is real. When you write the characters, first and foremost (maybe not so much in certain genres), they have to feel real.

And. Stereotypes. Are. Real.

Let me explain. Stereotypes are often just...character traits. That are, often negatively, associated with certain groups of people. But they happen. Sometimes even with that group of people.

It would be wrong to completely cut out any stereotypes because then we're left with very few options and an unrealistic cast.

So make that Black gangbanger who dropped out of High School. Or that greedy Jewish man. Or the racist redneck grandma. But, and here's the important part, DON'T MAKE THAT ALL THEY ARE.

People aren't just one thing. They are many, many, different traits rolled up into one. And it's not even entirely possible to fully express that in writing. But the important part is putting more than one or two traits down and making that their whole being. That Black dropout gangbanger could be really good at Math, love puppies, enjoy quoting philosophers and be extremely loyal and honest. That Jewish man? He may be greedy but he's a wonderful singer and does his best to install positive views and morals to his children. Maybe he knows he's greedy and is trying to work on that. Maybe he is greedy because he never had much as a child. The racist redneck grandma? She will stand up for anyone's right to express themselves. She has paranoia and a fake left leg but she still drives around town to help anyone who seems to be in distress.

 

As long as you don't make them single-note, as long as you don't make it entirely negative, as long as you write them as people, then stereotypes are fine to write.

And furthermore. Minor characters don't get as much chance to shine. This is where many people make mistakes with this stuff. They don't get much screen-time so you only get a brief glance. They can often come off as just a stereotype. But it's all in how you write it. What must be kept in mind is simple. Say, that Black gangbanger. He's not a gangbanger because he's Black. He's Black. And also happens to be a gangbanger. Write with that in mind and you can pull it off.

Stereotypes happen. Just don't make them all that happen.

 

...I shouldn't write this crap at 1 AM

[goddamnit names are a pain]

tl;dr

Black happens to be a gangbanger

:>

 

On a serious note, get your ass in our Writer's Guild Discord, I love the way you think and want to see you write and discuss more. 

[Dova]

It doesn't matter when you write it as long as it's good :P

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

tl;dr

Black happens to be a gangbanger

:>

 

On a serious note, get your ass in our Writer's Guild Discord, I love the way you think and want to see you write and discuss more. 

I am boycotting Discord :P

[goddamnit names are a pain]

I am boycotting Discord :P

Yeah, just got the news, haha.

I used to be the same, but Skype loathes my computer and enough pestering got me to switch, at least for the most part. 

It's pretty much a better Skype, as much as I hate to admit it- and this coming from a person that hates change.

Oh well, guess I'll have to stick with good (????) ol YCM for discussion :P

[Mutant Monster RAEG-HAPYP]

Yeah, just got the news, haha.

I used to be the same, but Skype loathes my computer and enough pestering got me to switch, at least for the most part.

It's pretty much a better Skype, as much as I hate to admit it- and this coming from a person that hates change.

Oh well, guess I'll have to stick with good (????) ol YCM for discussion :P

bolded=best joke 10/10

 

Sorry CowCow, it needed to be said :P

[~~~~]

Maybe some of those stereotypical characters are aware that they are a stereotype, and have an internal struggle about it.

 

I also think there's a distinction between the portrayal of an individual character and the portrayal of all your [black, Jewish, hillbilly etc] characters. This is, I suppose, where representation come in. If your one black guy is a thug, then that's what is your story is saying about black men, because you are providing fodder for confirmation bias.

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

Maybe some of those stereotypical characters are aware that they are a stereotype, and have an internal struggle about it.

 

I also think there's a distinction between the portrayal of an individual character and the portrayal of all your [black, Jewish, hillbilly etc] characters. This is, I suppose, where representation come in. If your one black guy is a thug, then that's what is your story is saying about black men, because you are providing fodder for confirmation bias.

It all depends on the type of story. Some can't really afford to have too many characters and might not be able to logically have multiple of one race. Course it's always a nice idea to have random characters (like grocery store worker, jogger, etc) be of different races. (Where applicable)

[Urayne]

tl;dr

Black happens to be a gangbanger

:>

 

funking lol