Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Hello, I'm currently writing a novel with a blind main character. Would anyone be interested in acting as a consultant/ sensitivity reader? (self.Blind)
submitted by ElectricFez
I'm working on my first novel and one of my main characters is blind. The last thing I want to do is give an inaccurate or offensive portrayal of life as a blind individual. My novel is a mixture of sci-fi, horror, and comedy.
"An eerie quiet swept through a small college town as the last of its students left for their childhood homes at the start of Summer. It was something that happened every year and was looked forward to by the town's permanent residents. But there was a strange shift to it this year, an almost imperceptible quality that managed to go unnoticed by all except one."
I'm still in the planning stages of the plot so I don't have all the kinks worked out yet but in broad strokes a phenomenon occurs in the basement of a college town resident and they start to experiment with it to try and figure out what it is and why it's there. The story switches focus between what's happening with that and a local town rock band of recent graduates that's struggling to break into the music scene. The blind character, Katherine or Kat, is the band's 22 year old keyboardist. Her story mainly focuses on leaving the weird college bubble of opportunity and youth and the reality of joining the workforce. She's trying to figure out who she is as an adult in both a metaphorical and very literal sense.
If that sounds interesting just leave a comment or DM me and we can work out details.
"An eerie quiet swept through a small college town as the last of its students left for their childhood homes at the start of Summer. It was something that happened every year and was looked forward to by the town's permanent residents. But there was a strange shift to it this year, an almost imperceptible quality that managed to go unnoticed by all except one."
I'm still in the planning stages of the plot so I don't have all the kinks worked out yet but in broad strokes a phenomenon occurs in the basement of a college town resident and they start to experiment with it to try and figure out what it is and why it's there. The story switches focus between what's happening with that and a local town rock band of recent graduates that's struggling to break into the music scene. The blind character, Katherine or Kat, is the band's 22 year old keyboardist. Her story mainly focuses on leaving the weird college bubble of opportunity and youth and the reality of joining the workforce. She's trying to figure out who she is as an adult in both a metaphorical and very literal sense.
If that sounds interesting just leave a comment or DM me and we can work out details.
Crafty_Dragon_roll 2 points 2y ago
What research have you done? What is your story about? Plot? How do you plan on portraying your blind character?
ElectricFez [OP] 1 points 2y ago
"An eerie quiet swept through a small college town as the last of it's students left for their childhood homes at the start of Summer. It was something that happened every year and was looked forward to by the town's permanent residents. But there was a strange shift to it this year, an almost imperceptible quality that managed to go unnoticed by all except one."
I'm still in the planning stages of the plot so I don't have all the kinks worked out yet but in broad strokes a phenomenon occurs in the basement of a college town resident and they start to experiment with it to try and figure out what it is and why it's there. The story switches focus between what's happening with that and a local town rock band of recent graduates that's struggling to break into the music scene. The blind character, Katherine or Kat, is the band's 22 year old keyboardist. Her story mainly focuses on leaving the weird college bubble of opportunity and youth and the reality of joining the workforce. She's trying to figure out who she is as an adult in both a metaphorical and very literal sense.
As far as research I've mostly watched videos from some blind youtubers that describe the technology they use, what school was like for them, and their day to day problems that may differ from a sighted person. As far as her portrayal, on the chapters that are told from her perspective I plan to avoid using visual adjectives and stick to the other senses. I want to be as accurate as possible when describing how she does things or perceives them.
I'm still in the planning stages of the plot so I don't have all the kinks worked out yet but in broad strokes a phenomenon occurs in the basement of a college town resident and they start to experiment with it to try and figure out what it is and why it's there. The story switches focus between what's happening with that and a local town rock band of recent graduates that's struggling to break into the music scene. The blind character, Katherine or Kat, is the band's 22 year old keyboardist. Her story mainly focuses on leaving the weird college bubble of opportunity and youth and the reality of joining the workforce. She's trying to figure out who she is as an adult in both a metaphorical and very literal sense.
As far as research I've mostly watched videos from some blind youtubers that describe the technology they use, what school was like for them, and their day to day problems that may differ from a sighted person. As far as her portrayal, on the chapters that are told from her perspective I plan to avoid using visual adjectives and stick to the other senses. I want to be as accurate as possible when describing how she does things or perceives them.
Crafty_Dragon_roll 1 points 2y ago
I'm glad your watching those videos because our experiences are different. That being said, please do some research. Is she completely blind? Has she always been blind? Or if not, what was the cause of her blindness? Do you know how to avoid the stereotypes of the blind community/or what they are? Where does she live, that can be important as services for people with disabilities differ from place to place which can impact how she's adapted/ing.
This actually sounds like two different books. One a scifi or paranormal the other more coming of age. Unless Kat is the one, but it doesn't seem that way by your comment. How does she fit into your scifi plot?
Here's what I recommend
1. Choose one of them, but not both. You can have still have Kat as a character, but her story could be more inclusive to your scifi story.
2. Write out a simple plot. (You can elaborate on it as the story grows.)
3. Make an outline. Who are your characters and what role do they have in the story. Include descriptions and personalities. Where do you see your story going, the arcs, the climax, the resolution. (These can change/evolve as story progresses.)
4. Research, research, research. This will help develop you plot and plan for story. It also helps to flesh our characters, places, cultures, communities, and etc. YouTube videos are cool and you learn some, but if you really want to show a respectful and inoffensive view of the blind community you need to research. This is where you would ask for a consultant.
5. Write. Write what comes to mind for your story, it does even have to go in order. You can piece scenes together to get a complete chapter and book. This is where you can have someone read and edit for you.
This is what works best for me when writing. I've been known to go back and change parts of my outline, add characters, remove characters. Its a great guide. The book I'm currently working on, I've already written scenes for different parts of my book. Its kind of like a puzzle that I piece together as it comes.
Once you have gotten to number 4, I will be happy to help you out. But there's nothing I can help you with at this point because you really haven't done anything.
Edit: just saw your add on. How you portray her using her other senses is going to be extremely important.
This actually sounds like two different books. One a scifi or paranormal the other more coming of age. Unless Kat is the one, but it doesn't seem that way by your comment. How does she fit into your scifi plot?
Here's what I recommend
1. Choose one of them, but not both. You can have still have Kat as a character, but her story could be more inclusive to your scifi story.
2. Write out a simple plot. (You can elaborate on it as the story grows.)
3. Make an outline. Who are your characters and what role do they have in the story. Include descriptions and personalities. Where do you see your story going, the arcs, the climax, the resolution. (These can change/evolve as story progresses.)
4. Research, research, research. This will help develop you plot and plan for story. It also helps to flesh our characters, places, cultures, communities, and etc. YouTube videos are cool and you learn some, but if you really want to show a respectful and inoffensive view of the blind community you need to research. This is where you would ask for a consultant.
5. Write. Write what comes to mind for your story, it does even have to go in order. You can piece scenes together to get a complete chapter and book. This is where you can have someone read and edit for you.
This is what works best for me when writing. I've been known to go back and change parts of my outline, add characters, remove characters. Its a great guide. The book I'm currently working on, I've already written scenes for different parts of my book. Its kind of like a puzzle that I piece together as it comes.
Once you have gotten to number 4, I will be happy to help you out. But there's nothing I can help you with at this point because you really haven't done anything.
Edit: just saw your add on. How you portray her using her other senses is going to be extremely important.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
[deleted]
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Would love to message me and get in touch. I’ve helped out a few others.
I have a bit of a warning though. I am not your average blind person, really capable and independent grounded, and pragmatically. Smart worldly not the most intellectual but I like that stuff.
I have a bit of a warning though. I am not your average blind person, really capable and independent grounded, and pragmatically. Smart worldly not the most intellectual but I like that stuff.
WarriorPrincess31 1 points 2y ago
I have a great sensativity reader for you. Check out holly Scottgardener
If you google catch these words, I'm almost possitive you will come across her website. She offers this as a service and is a wonderful disability advocate and resource for what you are looking for.
If you google catch these words, I'm almost possitive you will come across her website. She offers this as a service and is a wonderful disability advocate and resource for what you are looking for.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Do you mean to reply to op.
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