Is this a bad time to say Lolita is one of my favorite books?

[pettycoat]

I've just been told to avoid writing protagonists with problematic views because their status as the protagonist means I'm automatically supporting their actions.

... I think I need to find a new writing group, guys.

Comments

[pettycoat]

It's actually the opposite. They're far, far left. Like even farther than me. They still have strengths as a writer, but we strongly disagree on how to write LGBT+ characters and hit a few snags because both of us have LGBT+ characters in major roles. This person is the type who thinks a character's sexuality defines them, and though I don't think they're doing it consciously, all of their heroes are either sex-obsessed gay men or man-hating butch lesbians, any of their "bisexual" characters are gay people in denial, and most of their villains are cartoonish homophobes. They also think it's wrong to give a queer or POC character major flaws. Like I want to like this person and greatly appreciate a lot of the feedback they've given me, but we just don't see eye to eye on character writing.

[aim_of_destiny]

i mean. i don't know that person from a hole in the ground, so my opinions are going to be less nuanced than they could be, that's just how things go. just going by your descriptions, though, their line of argument sounds shockingly similar to the most cultish right-wing christian rethoric i've ever read.

in general i find, quite often, that people will call themselves leftists and then spout radfem/libertarian bullshit c&p'd directly from the evangelical christian purity culture playbook. which makes you wonder what they think leftism/liberalism actually is. maybe people just fall (back?) into established cultural patterns.

either way, on questions of representation i'd only ever take into account what people from the particular marginalized group have to say about it.