Hargleblargleboo 979 Posted June 18, 2014 So, I'm looking over my script for the first part of my animated mini-series, and I'm having some trouble on how to refer to the main character. The main character isn't human. It is a creature I call a Varmill. Here's a couple of quick digital drawings of it. Varmill with sharp colors and red scarf Varmill with softer colors. Glowing silhouette. Now, just tell me below what gender you think this thing is. The first that pops into your mind. Now, here's the kicker, unlike the rest of its kind, it was born without any specific gender. I'd tell you the whole back-story of this thing, but I just don't have the space. It's genderless. My problem is how I refer to it without using as gender-specific pronouns, or just calling it "the varmill" all the time. That would sound clunky. Do you guys have any ideas? Or even any questions about this thing? It'd be much appreciated! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danex Darkfire + 1,712 Posted June 18, 2014 Say "it" instead of he or she and "its" instead of his or her Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ceriraye 485 Posted June 18, 2014 They, it theirs, that. Look up gender neural pronouns for better reference Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted June 18, 2014 The one moment Koko would have been helpful. If I recall, she said that when referring to them, Ze and Zer were the appropriate replacements for he and her, but I don't remember. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hargleblargleboo 979 Posted June 18, 2014 Say "it" instead of he or she and "its" instead of his or her Yes, but when there are situations when the varmill is holding like an object or something, my editors (AKA, my best pals) would be confused which one I was talking about. Moments like that mess us up... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lalalablah 1,538 Posted June 18, 2014 The first and third picture look like a male creature to me. But since you said it doesn't have a gender, use "it". Yes, but when there are situations when the varmill is holding like an object or something, my editors (AKA, my best pals) would be confused which one I was talking about. Moments like that mess us up... In a situation like that you'll just have to reword your sentence. So instead of saying, for example, "It held it in its hand" you could say "The varmill held the ball in its hand" or "It held the ball in its hand" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hargleblargleboo 979 Posted June 18, 2014 Yes. I might just be thinking about it too hard. Like always. The first and third picture look like a male creature to me. But since you said it doesn't have a gender, use "it". In a situation like that you'll just have to reword your sentence. So instead of saying, for example, "It held it in its hand" you could say "The varmill held the ball in its hand" or "It held the ball in its hand" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marukyu 132 Posted June 18, 2014 Idk if oyu wanna use something other than it, like some pronouns you can find that the trans community use. unique pronouns would make your character more interesting + exposure for the trans community so win-win!!!! ze/zir/zirs/zirselfce/cir/cirs/cirselfhir/hir/hirs/hirselfxe/hir/hirs/hirselfey/em/eir/eirselfve/vir/virs/virselfxe/xir/xirs/xirselfhu/hu/hume/humeselfve/vaer/vaers/vaerselffae/faer/faers/faerself they/them/theirs/themself +also just my opinion!! but i feel like when you use "it" it creates a barrier for the reader to relate to the main character. Not most people want to think of themselves as an "it" since it is generally associated with negative connotation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hargleblargleboo 979 Posted June 18, 2014 Idk if oyu wanna use something other than it, like some pronouns you can find that the trans community use. unique pronouns would make your character more interesting + exposure for the trans community so win-win!!!! ze/zir/zirs/zirselfce/cir/cirs/cirselfhir/hir/hirs/hirselfxe/hir/hirs/hirselfey/em/eir/eirselfve/vir/virs/virselfxe/xir/xirs/xirselfhu/hu/hume/humeselfve/vaer/vaers/vaerselffae/faer/faers/faerself they/them/theirs/themself +also just my opinion!! but i feel like when you use "it" it creates a barrier for the reader to relate to the main character. Not most people want to think of themselves as an "it" since it is generally associated with negative connotation. Yeah. I like these. Considering the entire character is somewhat inspired by a person very close to me who is trans. (Unless they have been lying .) Another one of the main themes of the series is about the two friends the varmill meets and how they deal with life while on their journey together. One of the varmill's friends is gay, while the other one actually is trans. They meet lots of other creatures that are varied in that spectrum. Including straight people. So, I'm hitting a bit of a touchy subject. I'd go more into detail about the rest of the story, but like in the beginning, I don't have enough room and it would be little confusing. 1 marukyu reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marukyu 132 Posted June 18, 2014 Yeah. I like these. Considering the entire character is somewhat inspired by a person very close to me who is trans. (Unless they have been lying .) Another one of the main themes of the series is about the two friends the varmill meets and how they deal with life while on their journey together. One of the varmill's friends is gay, while the other one actually is trans. They meet lots of other creatures that are varied in that spectrum. Including straight people. So, I'm hitting a bit of a touchy subject. I'd go more into detail about the rest of the story, but like in the beginning, I don't have enough room and it would be little confusing. Aw it sounds interesting!!! Keep at it!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
