Bi Characters

[robertlee]

I have a somewhat odd question. I'm working on a new story that involves two bi characters. Since I'm not bi myself, I'm trying to be very delicate with how I deal with these characters.

 

Are there any bi tropes that I should avoid? What storylines and traits are bi readers sick of seeing in stories? And what kind of things would be unintentionally biphobic?

[Cia]

Common misconceptions:

 

1. Bisexual people "need" to be with both genders since we're attracted to both, or we feel like we're missing out on one versus the other, so we're more likely to cheat. 

2. Bisexual people are really gay but are trying to be politically correct or denying our gaydom by saying we still like guys/girls. 

3. Bisexual people are just horny.

 

Those are the worst of the stereotypes, imo. I haven't been with a woman in a very long time since I met my husband when I was just 16, but I still like looking at men and women when it comes to ogling eye candy. And I'm likely to point out a hot chick to my husband or not be upset when he does that for me, lol. I have particular tastes in men and women, for what I like the most to look at, but my take on lasting relationships has always been that it's the person who I'm attracted to, not their dangly bits... or lack thereof. I have the best of both worlds because the gender of my partner truly didn't/doesn't matter to me compared to who they are as a person and how strong of a relationship we have. 

[CassieQ]

Cia covered it pretty well, but especially points 1 and 3. Not all bisexual people are promiscuous or are incapable of monogamous relationships.  

[robertlee]

Thank you both @Cia and @CassieQ for your input. I have another question that's a little more specific to the story thus far. It's part of my published series that I'm working on and the main character is a bisexual girl that leans more towards the female side of things. She basically thinks men are too predictable and easy to figure out, which in most cases we are. She meets a guy who she feels things she hasn't felt for a guy in a long time. This guy turns out to be bi as well and develops feelings for her and her gay friend (another main character of the series).

 

Is that playing into that area of things you would not want to see? He enjoys spending time with them and over the course of their friendship finds potential in both of them for a relationship so it's really not in a like sexual way that he just has to have them. He's seeing the people and having feelings for them, gender not important. Or is it too cliche?

[Krista]

The way I feel about all genres, writing, etc. Is that if the story is well written and interesting, then it is a worthwhile read. I wouldn't be afraid of falling into poor tropes or phobias, sometimes they're necessary to give a bit of texture to a story. As long as the story is done well, I feel that writers can get away with a lot. As long as what they're attempting to get away with has a distinct purpose within the story and not just done for shock and awe with no real substance. 

 

So far it seems from your comments and concerns that you have a bit of a good grasp for what you want out of your story and your characters. That I think is more than half the battle.. the other half being to pull it off the way you want to.

 

So, good luck! Sounds like an interesting story and characterization, especially of the female character that thinks men are just too predictable. lol. I wonder what she found in the guy that caught her by surprise.  

[robertlee]

@Krista Thank you for the luck. I'm probably going to need it!

 

I guess my fear is mostly because in all forms of media you see a lot of bi erasure and if there is bi characters they are so far from reality it's almost a joke. Most of them are like what you guys said you're sick of seeing with bi characters, overly sexual and incapable of relationships. I want these two characters to feel real and not alienate a group of people who could benefit from the representation.

[Krista]

1 hour ago, robertlee said:

@Krista Thank you for the luck. I'm probably going to need it!

 

I guess my fear is mostly because in all forms of media you see a lot of bi erasure and if there is bi characters they are so far from reality it's almost a joke. Most of them are like what you guys said you're sick of seeing with bi characters, overly sexual and incapable of relationships. I want these two characters to feel real and not alienate a group of people who could benefit from the representation.

 

For me, when I am having such doubts it is just a mindset issue. As long as you have a clear cut vision and a clear plan for the characters and where you want the story to go, you will probably find that you're representing the characters and the story as you intended. Not sure how much plot pointing and such you do before writing, but you seem to have a firm grasp on the subject matter and where you would like your story to go.  

[robertlee]

6 minutes ago, Krista said:

 

For me, when I am having such doubts it is just a mindset issue. As long as you have a clear cut vision and a clear plan for the characters and where you want the story to go, you will probably find that you're representing the characters and the story as you intended. Not sure how much plot pointing and such you do before writing, but you seem to have a firm grasp on the subject matter and where you would like your story to go.  

 

I wish I did haha I'm more of a write as the story comes to you kind of guy. There's somewhat of a vision but not very much detail to it. Thanks for helping me work through it though! I appreciate the feedback and I think I'm going to go with it and see what happens. Hopefully I can give a good representation!