Of Pride and Power

Yes, I am starting a new book. It's original and the concept was something I was mulling over for a while.

I've written gay/bi/trans characters, but I've never attempted to write an intersex character. LGBTQIA+, the I is for the intersex within the community. Rarely have I seen anyone attempt to explore this area or consider themes about people in-between, not ready to define themselves through surgery or designate non-binary stance, born with bodies that don't conform to what society deems acceptable. It's worth exploring.

Eric/Eli is someone very interesting in my mind, while mostly identifying as male in behavior and mannerism, the character is not really stuck on the pronoun or social convention aspects of identity rather transcending it. This is a character that embodies a transcendant queer philosophy that reject objectification and observer bias. Basically, Eric/Eli doesn't give a fuck about what others says or does, because there is no objective truth, just truth to one own self. In terms of queer characters, I am proud of someone like this. 

Now as to UK readers and fans of the medieval genre, I feel like the Elizabethan era was the first shot across the bow for modernity. The first true independent female sovereign shattered social norms and ideas about power and established pride not only in oneself but unifying a nation. Using her era as a template for my story has been something I wanted to do for a while, but I didn't want to just make her a gay man. No, I want to explore it from a different vantage point that can be different and just as groundbreaking with a different kind of character. 

My concept of an Omega is very different from the current writer and reader's perspective of Omegas, who uses them as stand-ins for female characters. While I don't disagree with the idea, I think Omegas can serve an even more important concept as a character that defies gender norms. When having babies is now considered a hot-button issue about bodies and independence, I feel like it's time to explore another aspect.

----------

Some Footnotes:

1. Elizabeth I as a young teen was living with Catherin Parr, Henry VIII last wife, who had married Thomas Seymore. Based on historical records, Thomas had on occasions gone into her room and stripped her naked. (I'll interpret as it sounds like the guy was a predator and rapist, if I offend anyone sensibilities, it's how interpret the histories. Feel free to disagree with me, but the guy was messed up and probably messed up Elizabeth's future life too)

2. I did a gender swap with Kat Ashley, who was the female Governess of Elizabeth I and one of her most trusted confidents in her early years. Historically, she was in favor of Thomas' advances (eek, Maxwell vibes), but in my story I am combining her, William Grindal, and Roger Ascham. Lord Ashley is an original character, he serves a royal tutor, among other things. A strong male role model with the mature beauty of Sir Connery  

3. As for the chapter titles, I am using 48 laws of Power by Robert Green to showcase Eli. "Always Say Less than Necessary" is the 4th law of Power. I'll highlight every law of power this story