forum Any tips for writing an ace/aro character?

Started February 06, 2019 by Deleted user

tune

please i need help

1. Write them like you would any other character.
2. Except don't have them experience any sexual/romantic attraction.
   2a (optional). You might want to mention that they'd never felt that way. You don't need to make a big deal about it; just mention it once (unless their being ace/aro depends on the plot in which case idk).
3. That's it. You're done.

Also, some stereotypes you might want to avoid (in case the question was about that and I misinterpreted it):

• The shy, quiet, introverted ace. It's perfectly fine for an ace/aro character to be shy, but it isn't default for ace people.
• The lonely, friendless ace. Going back to the first point, just because someone doesn't want a relationship doesn't mean they are bad at interacting with people or they don't want friendships. Complete social isolation is pretty rare.

Those are all I can think of off the top of my head, but other people feel free to add more

Also, remember that asexuality is a spectrum. And that being aro-ace isn't about being a "strong, independent person who doesn't need anyone" cliche, as it's not about disregarding feelings and suitors. It's about discovering and accepting that an aro-ace person has never, and most likely will never, experience those feelings for themselves. That's not to say that for some aro-ace, there isn't anybody out there for them. Some aro-ace people are looking for that special best friend, the unbreakable bond of a platonic soulmate. Some aro-ace people are still fine without that "certain someone" and just stick with a group of lovely people that they enjoy calling their friends.

Sorry if that was a bit jumbled. Lots of thoughts but not a lot of time to organize them.

Thank you all for that advice! What if the ace + aro character is friendless because they just moved to this town?

Also avoid the "emotionless kuudere" stereotype at all costs.

"A kuudere, sometimes written as kūdere or just kudere, refers to a character who is often cold, blunt, and cynical. They may seem very emotionless on the outside, but on the inside they're very caring — at least when it comes to the ones they love."
hmm… my character is more of a tsundere than a kuudere

Cool.

think rosa diaz from b99

Thank you all for that advice! What if the ace + aro character is friendless because they just moved to this town?

Thats understandable; my point is to avoid the stereotype that aces/aros are isolated from other humans in every sense (not just romantically).

"A kuudere, sometimes written as kūdere or just kudere, refers to a character who is often cold, blunt, and cynical. They may seem very emotionless on the outside, but on the inside they're very caring — at least when it comes to the ones they love."
hmm… my character is more of a tsundere than a kuudere

I mean I have an aro-probably also ace character who's kind of a kuudere, but that's because she's been pretty thoroughly traumatized in her past and is in general not the nicest person.

"A kuudere, sometimes written as kūdere or just kudere, refers to a character who is often cold, blunt, and cynical. They may seem very emotionless on the outside, but on the inside they're very caring — at least when it comes to the ones they love."
hmm… my character is more of a tsundere than a kuudere

I mean I have an aro-probably also ace character who's kind of a kuudere, but that's because she's been pretty thoroughly traumatized in her past and is in general not the nicest person.

Ah. But see she has s reason!

I have a few aro-ace characters (one is a duk, one a con artist, one a soldier, one a lawyer, and I think there's more?) and I'd say basically write them as you would anyone else, but without being interested in romance/sex.

the problem is… i generally write characters whose personality are like the stereotype of ace/aro
like, i can't remember anything i wrote where i didn't have one rosa diaz