My “finished” Interactive novel, "Gemini: The Winds of Change, is located by this link https://dashingdon.com/go/13651. It is a dual-pathway, low fantasy, humorous, philosophical, pre Bronze Age, half open sand box, mystery, where even your own personality, and unconscious thoughts, direct your journey experience. As the leader of a small band of friends, The Omegas, you will embark upon a sailing adventure that forks in the secluded village of Berkley. Will Ursus get the girl or go to jail? Who is Chakra? What is your purpose? And to where will you travel? There is originally composed music attributed to Liam or other characters for those music lovers (including ending music). And, as part of a loading screen, original poetry attributed to two other characters of mystery. It is quite a long game; so, I did take advantage of the saving system. Please let me know your thoughts, particularly whether or not you had fun and felt a part of it all. This is designed to be an endless series so if this one takes-off, I will poll you all again for things to include in the next installment. The idea is to eventually represent as many groups, cultures, types, etc… in a way they would prefer. A mammoth undertaking that I’m sure to muck-up, so, have mercy on me! Thankyou so much for the insight into labels and labeling! I thought it better to continue that very important conversation on another thread. Cheers Forum!
p.s I thanked everyone in advance during the prologue of my story. I want you all to know how important, and valuable, your words are to me. Thanks again!
Your link just leads to the DashingDon landing page and I don’t see this title anywhere? I googled Gemini Winds of Change on DashingDon and all I found was a banger of a jazz song on this bass players personal website.
That’s not remotely true. I only object to labels that are imposed upon me by people who don’t really care about understanding me. To label myself has always been one of the most empowering things I could do, and to have those labels respected and reflected by others is deeply reassuring. The few occasions when someone else labeled me in a way that truly fit have been a gift. Honestly, I’m immediately uncomfortable when someone well-meaningly tells me not to label myself, probably just as much as if they attempted to label me themself. Who is anyone, to take that away from me?
Of course, if you want to avoid labels in your writing, that’s fine. But expecting everyone to feel the same way you do is off-putting, to say the least.
I fucking love labelling and categorizing myself. It’s an enjoyable endeavor for me, which has lead me to realize just how many disorders and traits I have and all their fun little names. I think I’ve mostly gotten everything but I’ll still occasionally go searching for new shit to tack on, just because it’s a pleasant thing to see “this is something that’s known about and others experience” if nothing else.
To be an ever-present contrarian, sure, screw labels. I have noticed that saying I’m bi or female doesn’t help much in people figuring out what kind of person I am and saying I’m Russian only slightly narrows the field of possible guesses.
The main question, though, is what is the story even about? It’s all immersive and inclusive, sure, it has no need for labels, sure, but what are we doing, who we are and what the hell the story will even be about? Your stuff reminds me of YA book recommendations: they keep saying they have inclusion and representation, but they rarely give even a simple plot pitch aside from “they’re gae”.
