I am a gender scholar from way back. I encourage you to explore further!
First, read genderfic. There is a lot of it, some good and some bad. Since you like fanfic, check out all the lovely genderbending stories out there. For original work, consider fiction and nonfiction about transgender or other gender-variant folks.
When you start writing, it's easier to start small. Drabbles or short stories are great. allbingo has monthly fests and a bingo card generator; you could make a card of gender motifs or short-writing prompts. This month our theme is Apocalypse but I'm running Valentines Day next month (with platonic and romantic options) which is a great match for genderfic.
It's also easier to start close to what you already know. Female writers portray men, and male writers portray women, and if you take a closer look at what womanhood or manhood means to you or your characters, it can be pretty awesome.
Check your circle of friends. People often know someone who is trans or genderqueer, etc. They can help you get a feel for those characters.
Watch out for stop-tropes. "Trans prostitute" is a good example, and most fans are already familiar with "dead/evil lesbian." These are traps a novice would do well to avoid, and should be handled with care even by experts -- you have to justify the risk the readers are taking by reading something so fraught. Search "trans bingo" and you find examples like this to avoid.
Make friends with other folks who study gender and/or write genderfic. I have lots in my audience because I write it all the time and it attracts people who read those things.
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Re: Also ...
Date: 9 Jan 2018 22:17 (UTC)First, read genderfic. There is a lot of it, some good and some bad. Since you like fanfic, check out all the lovely genderbending stories out there.
For original work, consider fiction and nonfiction about transgender or other gender-variant folks.
When you start writing, it's easier to start small. Drabbles or short stories are great.
It's also easier to start close to what you already know. Female writers portray men, and male writers portray women, and if you take a closer look at what womanhood or manhood means to you or your characters, it can be pretty awesome.
Check your circle of friends. People often know someone who is trans or genderqueer, etc. They can help you get a feel for those characters.
Watch out for stop-tropes. "Trans prostitute" is a good example, and most fans are already familiar with "dead/evil lesbian." These are traps a novice would do well to avoid, and should be handled with care even by experts -- you have to justify the risk the readers are taking by reading something so fraught. Search "trans bingo" and you find examples like this to avoid.
Make friends with other folks who study gender and/or write genderfic. I have lots in my audience because I write it all the time and it attracts people who read those things.