genderwoods

[genderwoods]

Writing a Blind or Visually Impaired Character

A Multi-Step Guide Written by a Visually Impaired Writer and Blogger

I’m hoping this blog will over time develop its own following, and when it does people will inevitably see my bio and notice what I included: I’m visually impaired.

Yes, a visually impaired writer, and I’ve written with two blind characters before so I have some practice in the field.

So, inevitably, someone is going to ask how to write a blind character.

Or, at least, I hope you’ll ask someone who’s actually blind or visually impaired about writing a blind character before you get too involved with your new WIP.

All parts will be tagged #blindcharacter in my blog, and I will add links to every post as I finish each part. Follow my blog for more writing advice.

Note, this post updates fairly often and old versions are still floating around out there. The most current version of this post is pinned to my blog with any new guides or links you might of missed.

As of 24 January 2021, this is the most extensive and screen reader friendly version of this post.

Part One: Crafting the Blind Character

In which I tell you how to begin making a blind character who is more than a cardboard cutout

Part Two: Narrative Choice, Visual Description, Verbal Description, Social Interaction

In which I give you a basic rundown on how to write from the perspective of a character who can’t see and still make the narration descriptive

Part Three: Tropes and Clichés to Avoid

Your blind readers will thank you for not being the 5000th person to do this and manage to actually finish your story. (Do you have any idea how many stories I’ve noped out of within two chapters because of these clichés? A Lot.)

-New- Part Four: Canes, Guide Dogs, and O&M

Everything I can tell you about 1) how to learn how to use a cane 2) how a cane works 3) how to describe what your character experiences with their cane 4) everything I know on guide dogs

Part Five: Small Aspects of being Blind You Never Thought Of

5 January 2021 Edit: This link has been fixed to correspond with the correct post

Or, really, very normal everyday things for blind people, the inclusion of which will make your characters more real and authentic. It’s the tiny details.

Part Six: Should You Cure Your Character’s Blindness? (Short Answer: No)

There’s no way to write a cure for your blind character that doesn’t make blind readers hate you. Sorry. We came here to finally experience a relatable character who experiences the world like us, but none of us are getting cured so seeing this character we learned to love become something alien from us in the end feels like a slap in the face

Why I’m Blind and What I See -NEW-

I thought I’d finally make a post explaining the complicated situation about my vision. Includes an explanation of visual snow and exotropia, two of the three causes for my vision issues.

Writing Blind Characters Falling in Love, an Advice Post:

Someone asked what being blind and falling in love have to do with each other. Honestly, blindness changes your perspective on everything and it makes an impact on every relationship you have. This includes some things that you definitely do not want your character’s love interest to be/do.

Writing Blind Jokes (Should You Do It?)

You know those flow charts of “should you do x?” going around? It’s like that, but screen reader friendly. Should you write blind jokes. It’s pretty complicated and there are a lot of possible scenarios and details to consider.

Advice for Writing Toph Beifong -NEW-

In this I discuss what I would like to see done in fanfiction with Toph’s character after ten years of reading Avatar the Last Airbender fanfiction

A small essay addressing the frequently asked question on giving your blind character a superpower to help them “see.”

It’s became a popular question, so to make the answer easier/faster for everyone to access, I wrote what will usually be my initial answer. Below there are a few links to some notable past questions on this subject.

Mourning My Vision, it’s More than Depression. 

A small personal essay addressing the nuances of the mourning period you experience with a new disability. The mourning period is mentioned in other guides, but this is more detailed.

Dealing with Heightened Senses, a video by Molly Burke with additional commentary by me

While Molly talks about the myths and truths about heightened senses, I talk about the correlation with blindness and neuro-divergency and how co-morbid disorders/disabilities might affect sensory processing.

Satirical Commentary on the phrase “that blank look in their eyes” used too often in fiction to identify a blind character

a:tla, I’m looking at you (and my eyes aren’t blank)

I Found a Lost Piece of Blindness History

My grandmother told me about her blind aunt and how she sent letters. It led me to speculate about all the O&M things people develop on their own but never get a chance to pass onto other blind people. Technology and techniques are lost in history and reinvented, including the white cane ad guide dogs.

Includes a little history on the introduction of guide dogs into the 20th century

The Following are Answered Anon Questions

Making Your Blog More Accessible

Making Links Accessible to Screen Readers

Reblogging to Add an Image Description to Someone Else’s Image

Why I Write Image Descriptions

Writing Blind Characters

Advice for a Character Who was Born Blind

Over-Protective Parents of a Blind Character, Why They’re Over-Protective and How to Avoid Crossing a Line

A Blind Character in Victorian Era Historical Fiction

Is It Bad Not to Have Guide Dogs in a Fantasy/Historical Setting Without Guide Dogs (short answer: it’s not bad)

Someone Asked About My Thoughts on a Medusa-like Character Blinding Herself to Avoid Hurting Anyone

-New- Characters Who Have Recently Gone Blind and Avoiding Inspiration Porn

Talking about Popular Blind Characters In Media

Does Daredevil’s Echolocation Negate His Blindness

Someone Else was Asked How to Write Daredevil Fanfiction

Blind Characters with Superpowers/Fighting Styles

World Setting where the General Population has a Superpower

Superpowers that don’t involve sight, Five questions to ask yourself if this superpower is a bad idea or a good one

-New- Your character would not use a cane as a weapon, it’s a bad idea

D&D/Roleplaying Blind Characters

-New- Animal Familiars Acting as Service Animals and Advice for Communicating with Your DM

-New- Portraying Older Blind Characters + Causes for Vision Loss with Old Age

[genderwoods]

latina lesbian artist in need of money to pay for vet expenses

hi everyone. i usually don't make long posts like these here but since oct. 31st, my cat has been hospitalized because she had a stone in one ureter. she has battled and gone through many exams and long stays at the vet, up until this point we spent 3000 reais (~$600 usd). the veredict was she had to have the surgery to get the stone removed so her kidney could work properly again.

(picture of the recently removed stone next to a needle for size)

we agreed, and the surgery costed 5000 reais (around $1000 usd) and her situation is dire. it's very likely she will not make it. the vet she is in has awful service, and up to this point we have exhausted all our means and money to keep her alive. we have spent roughly 10,000 reais (~$2000 usd), which is double of my mother's monthly income, and eight times of my own salary.

she is coming home on 11th whether she makes it or not. it's likely she will pass away.

the money situation

unfortunately, i need money to pay mine and all the other expenses. my bank doesn't allow screenshots for security reasons, but here's the gist: i had to take a loan of r$2000 (~$400 usd) and i'll be paying it monthly until march. but unfortunately my credit card debt is around r$400, and i have a planned trip to see my girlfriend, which i would like to have some money for since we will probably need a hotel to stay + money for emergencies. i currently have r$800, but i need around r$1300 (~$260 usd) to cover these expenses.

currently, my mother has been paying for a lot of it, and so am i, but our credit score is not looking so good after all that money spent. so, to help ourselves, im opening commissions.

there will be 7 spots for commissions in this vectorized style, each for $40 usd. (payment after sketch ONLY, through paypal. so i wont slack off!) style can very from simple to complex, i'm sure i can adapt any character to this style, but i have the right to refuse any requests. dm me for any other inquiries.

or, if you'd like to donate without expecting anything in return, you can donate through ko-fi:

pictures of my cat before she was hospitalized. she's a tortie named peepy. she is currently 10 years old. i don't think she will make it, nothing breaks my heart more than thinking that she will be gone. but there is truly nothing more that we can do. thank you for taking your time to read through my post, and a special thank you if you consider donating or take a commission. i'm incredibly thankful.

[genderwoods]

(explaining beavers to a beautiful woman) basically they eat the wood with their weird ass teeth but mine arent weird see (shows my teeth and clacking them together) hahahsha raaaaaa (gets on hands and knees and prettends to be biting her ankles like a beaver) woof wooff bark bark bark

[genderwoods]

i feel these needed to be compiled. feel free to add more genre related posts in the notes if you want

[genderwoods]

hes just like me except we dont share any personality traits and i dont do any of the stuff that he does

[genderwoods]

‘no one wants to see your pictures of the sunset or food’ actually I Do

#why wouldnt anyone want to see a picture of the sunset. those people are dead inside

[genderwoods]

Lanternfly (Pyrops candelaria), family Fulgoridae, Huay Xai, Bokeo, Laos

Photograph by Richard Ling

#bugs

[genderwoods]

guys how do i delete a game from my 3ds

[genderwoods]

edit: currently lamenting the fact that i didn’t think of “all of the above” …

#cute i think #like a grumpy cat

[genderwoods]

I’m generally addicted to rewatching and rereading I hate starting new things

[genderwoods]

i love digesting lactose it’s so easy to do

#waiting for my queue

[genderwoods]

#waiting for my queue

[genderwoods]

your demeanor has displeased the great boar at the center of the world

[genderwoods]

Man who hates the very concept of life and all living beings: I should design portal websites for colleges and job applications

[genderwoods]

lrb wait the goncharov one is the most annoying actually because its actually damaging to a lot of people who have delusions or psychosis me included. just the mention of it makes me dissociate

[genderwoods]

i don't expect a lot of votes on this but i wanted to see if there's a lean towards one of them in my mutual circle at least. idk i was curious

if you don't dislike any of them you don't have to vote

#fandom incorrect quotes are the most unfunny things ever

[genderwoods]