Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
4
↓
Writing a story and need some help (self.Blind)
submitted by OverTheMoon82
Ok so I’m writing a story with a female Mc that is blind. I need some advice for how to portray how she lives. She was born blind btw. I don’t want to write a story and get things wrong. I want to be able to create a Mc that truly describes the life of someone who is blind. Any advice and things that aren’t commonly known?
stephpilon86 2 points 2y ago
Firstly, good for you for being concerned about authentic representation. As someone who is born blind this is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to blind characters on TV or in books. As was already mentioned here, it’s a good idea to consult with someone with lived experience often as you work on your story. It’s also a good idea to avoid stereotypes like the blind person with supersonic senses (not true of course) or the really dependent blind person. Finally, if your character was born blind her being blind probably isn’t the focus of her life in the sense that she thinks about it or it influences her experience all the time. Of course ableism and things like that are very real, and she might face unique challenges because of her blindness but generally it wouldn’t be something she would think about a lot or focus on because she would be used to it. A lot of the things you would be writing about in the story would be the same as someone who is cited. I don’t think most of us experienced the world drastically differently except for the challenges that society creates for us. we generally go about life in the same way anyone else would, just blind, and that in itself doesn’t make for much of a story so it’s a good idea to make sure there are other things happening in the plot other than just a character being blind. that being said, it would be a very different story for someone who lost their site later in life. That does come with a unique set of social and emotional challenges which could be a good story on their own.
BexTheMixer 2 points 2y ago
I completely agree! And I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I myself was born blind.
OverTheMoon82 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
What’s actually interesting is that she is not mine. I’m actually bringing a person who draws fan art about a certain character who is blind to life in words on Wattpad. The idea is so wonderful I asked if they were ok with me turning it into a fanfic and they were fine with it. I really want to get this right because I really hate it when other writers don’t take their research seriously enough. When your working with a character that represents a real life situation it’s important to get the details right and not focus on the basics. Your creating and working with a person. I always find it important to really get down to the bone when researching because I want people to enjoy reading stories and understanding a perspective they don’t have.
CloudyBeep 2 points 2y ago
Search the subreddit for similar posts.
I suggest getting a blind person to critique the portrayal of blindness. I'd be happy to do this.
I suggest getting a blind person to critique the portrayal of blindness. I'd be happy to do this.
OverTheMoon82 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thank you so very much. I’ve unfortunately never met a blind person and I really want my character to fit the life of one who is blind. I don’t like writing a character without researching everything I can to make sure the character actually portrays a real person who is blind.
CloudyBeep 2 points 2y ago
Then Google is your friend. I'm happy to answer specific questions, but Google should be able to help you with a lot.
OverTheMoon82 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thank you again so very much.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
This may help you.
https://reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/lahrmq/im_a_sighted_person_making_a_blind_dd_character/
https://reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/lahrmq/im_a_sighted_person_making_a_blind_dd_character/
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Happy to help I am over at another thread and have provided many anecdotes and help so ask away I enjoy helping, teaching, and educating about this stuff. I am a bit of an unusually pragmatic and capable blind person, I am not the mean average I warn you that much.
Anianna 1 points 2y ago
There's an Instagram account at the username sadayapaige that is of a sweet little girl growing up blind. I have found her posts to be enlightening.
OverTheMoon82 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thx I’ll make sure to check it out
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.