rosalarian:

I heard some writing advice recently that said if you don’t have a close personal friend of [x demographic] you can ask for advice about [x demographic], you’re not the writer to write [x demographic]. And it’s hard advice sometimes. I’m a member of a lot of [x demographic]s but I’m also an [o demographic] on other axes. I’ve had to scrap or heavily alter a lot of stories throughout the years, as I realized they weren’t mine to tell. I save them, and sometimes, through life’s twists and turns, the story is unlocked via new experience or new alliance. Sometimes I find another way to tell that story in a way that is more authentic to myself. And sometimes I just say “that was a good writing exercise, that no one will ever read.” That’s responsible writing. It’s part of the job.