Post by Talru in God-Cursed: Demo comments

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Question. Why is a male MC called beautiful (not handsom?) And why is he and others timid about his chest being shown? Or is that just because of the marking? Although feels a bit much for just that. Although outside of that and some odd habits don't have choice on, you have done better than a good number of Interactive stories out there in providing character personality options that fit masculine as well feminine and neutral. I appreciate that.

To many I've come across feel like they were written for only feminine or female characters in mind and expected a change of pronouns and a few words to be enough. Though I realize writing for interactive novels and for such a broad range must be a challenge. I appreciate the effort, and I still try my best to enjoy the stories anyways, despite the disorienting and sometimes immersion breaking moments that can come from that. Sometimes only happens inside same-sex romances. Anyways I run on to much. Hope don't take it wrong way. Have had that happen before and made me a bit afraid to comment to much. Really do appreciate the work you have done here. The two dads are awsome too. Thank you

Lunan233 days ago(+3)

Hello my friend, thanks for the questions and the comments! I appreciate your thoughts and I don't think you come across as negative or anything, your points are very thought-provoking and are good topics for the IF community.

The way I see things as I write at least is that beautiful doesn't just apply to women. I find some women handsome and others beautiful and the same goes for men. (*Also inferring that you're referencing the scene where MC has a little breakdown after their bath) *I know men (cis) that are quite bashful about their chests - but it can also be fore the marking - that whole scene is just a general point of weakness and vulnerability for the MC (and the MC is also completely nude from top to tail, save for the towel around their shoulders/back). I wanted to error on the bashful side of things.

I've debated about adding a few more choices in the first couple chapters to give readers a heavier hand in the MC's development, and in the future chapters I am trying to add as much variation as I can account for according to the variable values set by previous choices. It gets sticky for sure, but I'm hoping to get better at shaping as much as an individual experience as possible.

I appreciate that you're finding things to be mostly a-gendered (I use she/her, but I identify more ambiguously and often more masculine though the lens I was raised with was feminine). When I read IFs, I primarily have MCs that are men, but I also will play through as women too (just not as often), so I want to try to focus more on the personality/characteristic of the MC and not necessarily ascribe masculine or feminine to their choices. I honestly don't always notice gender-inflection while writing my IF, but I know it's probably there (and I'm oblivious sometimes >_<). The issue is that my interpretation of those things will differ, as you can already see. But, like all of us, it's a work in progress and I hope to refine it as much as I can for such a wide audience.

Your input is very much appreciated, and you've given me some things to think on as I work! ^_^ (Sorry for long reply, and I'm thrilled that you like the dads!)

Talru233 days ago (2 edits) (+4)

Ah understand. Guess didn't think about it that way. Thank you for explaining. Also I was referring to the scene after with the Mage by the way. The Fathers turning around when he's just lifting his shirt. Towel thing was ambiguous enough to imagine it lower. Was pretty amusing too LOL Poor Oswin.

Anyways I don't usually put this in public, but I wonder if some misunderstandings in past could have been avoided if I had. I am trans-male myself. Might be part of reason I struggle with some of that to. Maybe I should be better than this, but I still struggle a little bit when it feels like something or someone is trying to push me into playing the old stereotyped feminine or female roles/ideas. Yet I love reading these interactive fiction stories. I don't have the energy to do freeform writen role-playing like I used to.(Nor do I know how to find a good community for it these days) So this has been my substitute I guess.

Thank you for your hard work and response too

Lunan233 days ago(+3)

Oh, the scene with Ansar - I forgot about that happening *derp. I imagined that would be just a respect thing for any gender selection that the dads would do for their kid - error on the side of it being a bit personal. (Poor Oswin indeed; he's had it rough so far and it's not over, lol).

I think the world of interactive fiction has historically leaned more feminine, but we're seeing a trend - however gradual - that is leaning away from that. Perhaps not masculine, but maybe more a-gendered approach (though admittedly, I tend to have some trouble distinguishing sometimes and it's possible I interpret that because I really want to see it that way, lol). Not sure, but I do wonder if that stems from Otomes popularizing it in some way? The stereotypical never really worked for me either, and I want to always keep that in mind as I write. People should be able to just be, and that's what I hope to emulate in the worlds I create.

Thank you for sharing a part of yourself with me. I appreciate you reading and taking the time to give me thoughtful insights to broaden my scope for how I write this. ^_^

Talru195 days ago (4 edits)

Just returned to check in on this and saw some of the comments you were facing. I wanted to apologize if this is a result of my questions and input possibly stirring something up in the community. I could be wrong on that but still. I never wanted to cause you grief if I did. I really appreciate the effort you have made.

I am aware I may be more sensitive on some things than others, and I try to be mindful of that. I was raised in an area with a lot of treditionally minded folk, and while I moved away from there years ago and recognize behaviors and interests should not be limited to genders. Nor do I fit those niches completely myself. I still haven't found a better way to explain things without using masculine, feminine, neutral for categories of grouped behaviors. Forgive me if some misunderstanding comes from that or if it is wrong. I don't know if it is. Also not sure how else to do it. Putting concepts into words can be difficult.

Also for people (not author) who want to assume and accuse me of being narrow-minded of phobic. I feel like I should be allowed to enjoy playing into some stereotypes as much as bending or breaking them. Without being dissed or accused of something I am not and is against my own moral code to be. (Has happened before). I am not saying I am without flaws but I do make effort to be better than that. If something comes off wrong. Talk to me so I know what I need to improve or in some cases clarify.

On another note. Look forward to checking out the update when I get the chance. Sorry got long-winded there.

Lunan195 days ago

No, no my dear. You are fine. I did not find your comments offensive, there was a person who was less than civil in the way they were expressing themselves. Your comment was more exploring and questioning, opening up a conversation. Once I explained my point of view, you were accepting and gracious. With the other person's comment, I felt attacked and judged more than anything.

itch.io

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