I am currently taking a shot at s-f erotica. I have hermaphrodite aliens that appear in at least one scene, possibly more. I'm trying to figure out how to refer to them. They appear basically as odd-looking female humans but have a retractable penis that extends during sex for the one taking the male role. Because of the feminine appearance, I started out with female pronouns but have backed that off to using the neutral plural (ie. "they" and "them") because "it" just seems impersonal and inhuman.
Any other ways people can think of to tackle this? Any other s-f writers on here dealt with it?
I also have a "smart ship" that is both the main character's ride (he's kind of a Han Solo type) and his business partner, however I state early on that the AI identifies as female (it's for plot purposes later in the story) so use feminine for the ship/AI.
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Gendered pronouns in s-f
Active Ink Slinger
I read an article on ‘Ze’ being an encouraged as gender neutral term a couple of years ago. Not sure if that helps in the slightest, but have a look. Another not so helpful comment is if it’s sci-fi, surely as the author you can make your own term up and make readers suspend their disbelief?
No expert here, just sticking my oar in ?
No expert here, just sticking my oar in ?
Is anything known about the aliens? If they're from the planet Venus then you can refer to them as Venusians. Or Mercurians for the planet Mercury, Zoggians for Zog, etc.
If not, then you can pick on some physical or character trait, referring to them as 'Big Dick' or 'Tiny Tits', or 'Bad Attitude', etc. Or, 'Smelly Breath'. Depending on whether your story allows for an element of humour. Or, if they're wearing clothes or makeup etc., call them 'Blue Blouse', or 'Glitter Cheeks'. Something like that.
You can always revert to the neutral 'they', etc, but that starts to look conspicuously bland after awhile.
Also, if there's more than one and they appear in the story in a certain order, call them 'the first alien', or 'the second one', etc. Or, 'Green Gills #1' and 'Green Gills #2', for a dash of cynical humour.
If not, then you can pick on some physical or character trait, referring to them as 'Big Dick' or 'Tiny Tits', or 'Bad Attitude', etc. Or, 'Smelly Breath'. Depending on whether your story allows for an element of humour. Or, if they're wearing clothes or makeup etc., call them 'Blue Blouse', or 'Glitter Cheeks'. Something like that.
You can always revert to the neutral 'they', etc, but that starts to look conspicuously bland after awhile.
Also, if there's more than one and they appear in the story in a certain order, call them 'the first alien', or 'the second one', etc. Or, 'Green Gills #1' and 'Green Gills #2', for a dash of cynical humour.
Quote by KiaraLoves
Is anything known about the aliens? If they're from the planet Venus then you can refer to them as Venusians. Or Mercurians for the planet Mercury, Zoggians for Zog, etc.
If not, then you can pick on some physical or character trait, referring to them as 'Big Dick' or 'Tiny Tits', or 'Bad Attitude', etc. Or, 'Smelly Breath'. Depending on whether your story allows for an element of humour. Or, if they're wearing clothes or makeup etc., call them 'Blue Blouse', or 'Glitter Cheeks'. Something like that.
You can always revert to the neutral 'they', etc, but that starts to look conspicuously bland after awhile.
Also, if there's more than one and they appear in the story in a certain order, call them 'the first alien', or 'the second one', etc. Or, 'Green Gills #1' and 'Green Gills #2', for a dash of cynical humour.
Oh, there is a "species name" for sure and I do use it. But pronouns have a place and purpose. "The Martian said that the Martian was going to go to Venus for a party." just doesn't fly when you can say "The human said that he is going to go to Venus for a party." for a human. Pronouns are needed or you end up with unnatural sounding speech at times.
For ones who are actual characters, I will give them names just as I do for human characters and that deals with the problem to some degree since you can say "The Vulcan" or "Spock". The scene in question, though, is the main character watching alien porn (3-D holoporn, you know I love it) so he obviously doesn't know their names. The informal nickname idea might work, though.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Ah, I see ... yes, that sounds tricky. Since they're in a porn video, they can't announce who they are to the viewer, so actual names are out ...
Maybe one in the vid has a cock-ring ('Cock Ring') or a pierced nipple ('Pain Whore') ... or if one is dominant in the sex, refer to him as 'Master' and the other one 'the sub' ... Perhaps even a combination of different terms. I suppose at some point their species will be named, so you can refer to them that way, too.
The nicknames could come in handy too, though. I'm reading Stephen King at the moment and he does it to great effect. It's sometimes actually quite funny, too.
Maybe one in the vid has a cock-ring ('Cock Ring') or a pierced nipple ('Pain Whore') ... or if one is dominant in the sex, refer to him as 'Master' and the other one 'the sub' ... Perhaps even a combination of different terms. I suppose at some point their species will be named, so you can refer to them that way, too.
The nicknames could come in handy too, though. I'm reading Stephen King at the moment and he does it to great effect. It's sometimes actually quite funny, too.