The question I’m always asking is: how can we shape this story to bring out the author’s intentions?

Here’s why I believe gay fiction novels and memoir are more important now than ever, and how you can get started writing one too!

They matter: censorship, erasure, and book bans are part of our daily lives. They might always be a part of our lives, so books depicting gay characters are at the forefront of ensuring the next generation grows up knowing there are multiple ways to lead happy, successful, and safe lives.

They save lives: I try to read, write, and edit the books I wish I’d had access to as a child growing up under Section 28 in the UK. A law that banned “the promotion of homosexuality” across England, Scotland and Wales from 1988 to 2003, meant sex and relationship education failed thousands of young people, libraries didn’t cater to our needs, and our existence was turned into a shameful disgrace by the media.

They expand our horizons: Change comes from removing barriers and learning more about the person, thing, or idea that provoked earlier fear. This applies to people learning about the varied ways that gay relationships and people can exist and thrive. Hate is founded in ignorance, and ignorance withers and dies through education and exposure, whether through fiction or nonfiction, the effect is the same.

They could heal us: Putting words down on paper helps clear them from our consciousness, and releases negative ideas into the world. This act is part of letting go and can help process events that lead to anxiety. It’s not a once and done, or a quick fix; it all takes time and patience, but your journey starts with a first word on the page.

How Writing Helped Me…

Section 28 damaged me and many others because it ensured we grew up cloaked in shame, and it took years to come to terms with ourselves. The common “gay experience” of coming out, turning to drink and drugs, and putting ourselves at risk is not inherently part of being gay. It is because society has made us feel like there is something wrong with us.

Since getting sober, quitting nicotine, and taking care of and loving myself once again, I’ve made it my mission to work with authors of gay books to ensure that, one book at a time, I am helping stack up a big pile of FUs to those people who made me, and anyone else, feel like they were lesser or unworthy.

For me, I experienced lower stress because I can write down negative feelings and anxiety, and I have a space to reason out concerns; they don’t go away, but I can process thoughts and ideas in a healthy way.

You might have a similar or shared experience.

You might have the same fire burning inside of you.

That pain can be very destructive. But the immense power and passion held within are where great art and literature are forged.

I turned that anger and pain into a novel. You can too.

My Writing Experience
My first novel, TNS, happened because of anger and injustice: dysfunctional family dynamics, relationships, and ruminating feelings, and it changed me to write that. It allowed me to give the characters different endings than I had in some areas, and it let me move on because I’d guided two men (Ali and Trevor!) through tough and traumatic moments in the story. It finally allowed me to leave some of that old trauma in the past (in a book, which I can close when needed and put back on the bookshelf) and move forward.

Ways to get started
People often find the blank page scary. It’s very common!

Journalling
Regularly writing in journal form is a great way to get your feelings and ideas down. You can write about anything. I’ve used journalling to work through setting boundaries, dealing with addictions, navigating big life decisions, and understanding how I really feel in relationships. My journals are for my eyes only (!) but often ideas come up when I am freestyling that could become elements, threads, or fragments in a short flash piece, a longer memoir, or even fiction.

As a Life Course Corrector
Remember: you can always write and then throw away or delete your pages. The aim is to be honest in what you write, not to produce anything of high quality (yet!).

Writing Is Thinking
Writing, scribbling, drafting, and revising are all mental processes which involve ordering, sorting, and other higher-order thinking skills (HOTS).

Slow writing and reflecting allow exploration of older events.

People have concerns that they need to share traumatic events with others, but what you write is only ever for you. You can throw it away or delete the pages after every single writing session. You’ve done the good work of getting it out.

If you decide to share, or you want to turn some of that pain into art and beauty, or into an instructional memoir or guide for others, then I can help.

Problem-solving current issues in your life can be a great place to start with writing: I’ve worked through job-transition issues, relationship hiccups, and family concerns, and often I can reason through my thoughts because the written form acts as a friend of sorts or a sounding board, and I can throw my ideas up, step back, take time, come back later or the next day, and evaluate what I’ve been holding on to and where my thinking might have gone astray.

Options: fiction novels, memoir, flash and short stories, poetry, or narrative non-fiction essays.

Challenge and Prompts:
***I am not a therapist or medical professional, so please consult with one regarding recent or raw traumatic events. If it feels too soon to revisit a topic, then it probably is. Take your time and take care of yourself first. Don’t rush.

Set a timer for 20 minutes and move your pen.

3 to 5 days a week. I like patterns: MWF or SS (to end and start the week with intentions).

What is an idea, object, place, or person that pops up when you close your eyes? Linger on it for a moment and write some words about it. Physical reactions or meaning might come across here. Write to the object, if it helps—tell it why it is so important to you.

Write down one future. Let your pen wander around where that dream came from, what you’ve done to reach it, what you might do, or what it will feel like to reach it. Imagine who you’ll share it with, what colours come to mind when you feel it in your hands, and what you will have left behind.

Choose a word: love, hate, a name, or a place. Write down everything that comes to mind in a stream-of-consciousness way. Don’t stop or edit, but let the words tumble out. You might find this is enough, or over time you notice patterns about what is coming out. Are you focused on one aspect of your life? Is that a good thing, or an area to explore more?

Here’s just a couple of prompts you might like to try. I’ve been an educator and writing instructor for many years now, so do reach out because I’m happy to share more prompts and love talking about all things writing (and editing).

Working with Me

I generally work with writers in two ways:

Before drafting: outline help, generative coaching, early chapter discussion, and feedback.

After drafting: you have a completed manuscript draft and want some initial feedback. A manuscript evaluation or developmental editing works best here. Coaching, if required, means we can meet regularly to aid the revision process.

Fiction editors often specialise, and I am no different: gay romance, crime, historical fiction, memoirs, and mild fantasy are all good. Anything heavy in fantasy and sci-fi, I can likely connect you with someone via the LGBTQ+ Editors Association.

I tend to book up 3+ months in advance, so reaching out early is advised when possible.

Refs and further reading: Writing to Heal (J.W Pennebaker).

How do I book a discovery call or find out more?

The best way to get in touch is to send me an email first, and I can get you set up!

You can find available times and book a spot here: https://scheduler.zoom.us/sam-keir/ideal-story-session

Always happy to chat about your fiction project.

Image by Alessandro Alle from Pixabay