Ragtime Rachel's bloghttps://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog/ragtime-rachelA friendly place to read, write and discuss Transgender Fiction.enDipping my toe in againhttps://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/72145/dipping-my-toe-again<section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-8 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Author: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/author/ragtime-rachel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ragtime Rachel</a></li></ul></section><section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-26 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Blog About: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/blog-about/autobiographical" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Autobiographical</a></li></ul></section><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>I know. I've been away too long.</p>
<p>So long, in fact, that the vast majority of people probably don't remember I was ever here. Regardless, it seemed about the right time to make my presence known.</p>
<p>Those of you who follow me on Facebook already know the drama. For the rest of you, I can only say I'm glad this year is, at long last, coming to a close. Since August 2016, I've had to endure two broken bones in a six-month period, a bout of pneumonia that had me bedridden and on oxygen for four days, and an abcessed tooth that had to be removed because I didn't have the money to save it. That, and the long recovery since, have caused me to retreat from the world a bit--much of that recovery has been spent obsessively watching YouTube videos. I'd sooner not mention the number of obscure rabbit holes I've stumbled into on that site--that would probably require an entry of its own. I'll say this, however--there are some truly scary people there. And that's just in the comments section.</p>
<p>Oh, I have had some brief moments of productivity--just not in the area of writing. I've been trying to get my drawing skills back up to speed, and I've been putting together a submission package for a comic strip featuring a transgender girl. The territory has been well-explored online, but I've added the twist that she's disabled as well. When I can get those strips to a level of quality that's acceptable to me, I'll post some samples here.</p>
<p>In the meantime, I expect the new year to be one in which I rekindle my enthusiasm for writing. I've rather missed it this past year or so.</p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 21 Dec 2017 19:39:57 +0000Ragtime Rachel72145 at https://bigclosetr.us/topshelfhttps://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/72145/dipping-my-toe-again#commentsHobbled, literally and figurativelyhttps://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/63343/hobbled-literally-and-figuratively<section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-8 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Author: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/author/ragtime-rachel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ragtime Rachel</a></li></ul></section><section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-26 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Blog About: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/blog-about/autobiographical" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Autobiographical</a></li></ul></section><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>For once, I have a legitimate excuse for my long absence.</p>
<p>During the first week of August, I broke my leg in what has to be the freakiest of freak accidents. Numerous people have asked me in the last few weeks what happened, and to this day I find it impossible to adequately describe. </p>
<p>What happened, essentially, was this: I was coming home from a trip to Walgreens, and just two blocks from my apartment I allowed my attention to wander for a split second. My motorized chair, which has a tendency to drift to the right if I'm not constantly compensating for it, drifted toward a section of brick wall that jutted out onto the sidewalk. My right leg got trapped between the chair and the wall, and I broke my leg trying to get free. </p>
<p>No, check that. It's not a garden-variety break. It's a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula, which I broke in two places. A nice little spiral-shaped section between my shin and my ankle.</p>
<p>Unlike most people in this situation, who are merely patched up and sent home, my cerebral palsy makes my recovery more difficult by a factor of ten. One, I can't merely wear a cast, since the extreme spasticity of my muscles would make that insanely painful. Therefore, I was wrapped in a splint and ace bandages for the first week and a half, spending eighteen hours out of every 24 with my legs elevated to bring the swelling down. I then graduated from that to a leg brace. Believe me, the splint was painful enough.</p>
<p>Secondly, I need assistance with toileting, since I'm non-weight bearing and unable to transfer to a toilet.</p>
<p>Therefore, I'm currently recuperating at a local nursing home for what looks like the next two months. By coincidence, it's the same one I went to in 2005 to recover from a broken hip.</p>
<p>The first thing that occurred to me is the vast difference in the way I was treated. In 2005, my TG status was far more obvious--I was in the middle of a six-year span in which I was denied hormones due to my smoking, so I looked far more masculine. My trans-ness, therefore, was treated as That Which Shall Not Be Named. I didn't get any open hostility from the other patients, but they didn't exactly embrace me, either.</p>
<p>Now, in 2016, it's like night and day. One, I'm treated as just another female patient by the patients here. If they know or even suspect I might be different, they've never made it known.</p>
<p>The biggest change, however, is in the attitude of the staff. To say they're fascinated by me is an understatement. If they're not stroking my hair, they're asking me questions about my transition--some of which cross the line into utter rudeness. (One actually asked me how I got my feminine voice, and told me, "Do your old voice for me." Erk.) I believe in education, but really....</p>
<p>As I settle in here, I might devote some time to writing, but don't count on it. It's not that easy typing on a Kindle Fire and Bluetooth keyboard. Right now I just want to focus on getting out of here in a timely manner.</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 05 Sep 2016 16:06:31 +0000Ragtime Rachel63343 at https://bigclosetr.us/topshelfhttps://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/63343/hobbled-literally-and-figuratively#commentsEver have one of those weeks?https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/62567/ever-have-one-those-weeks<section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-8 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Author: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/author/ragtime-rachel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ragtime Rachel</a></li></ul></section><section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-26 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Blog About: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/blog-about/autobiographical" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Autobiographical</a></li></ul></section><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Let me tell you, I wish I could borrow Doc Brown's DeLorean for about five minutes. I'd go back to last Friday and persuade myself not to go out for coffee. Or anywhere else for the next seven days.</p>
<p>As I left, I failed to notice that my chair was drifting off the sidewalk--with motorized chairs, there are unfortunately some blind spots. Consequently, it's hard to see in front of me in those areas. Anyway, when my chair went over the edge of the sidewalk, it landed sideways and dumped me out on the asphalt.</p>
<p>Fortunately, the damage was minor--a few bruises, some scrapes on my hands, elbows, and knees, and one thumb with a hairline fracture. Even more fortunately, I got help almost immediately, thanks to the staff of the coffee shop. I'd hate to think what might have happened had I found myself sprawled out in the parking lot at say, three AM.</p>
<p>The worst part of having to deal with a broken thumb is not being able to play the piano, since my thumb's going to be encased in a splint for three weeks. I'd been working on a ragtime composition, but playing the piano is going to be out of the question for awhile. (There's got to be a joke there, but I'm coming up with nothing).</p>
<p>To make matters worse, that same week I was in the middle of a dispute with my home-health agency (I'd rather not discuss that here, but if anyone wishes to contact me privately, I'll fill you in.)</p>
<p>Just to prove the adage that trouble comes in threes, I checked my bank account to find to my horror that I had a zero balance. Apparently my Amazon Prime came up for renewal a couple of days before, and automatically deducted $99.89 from my account without my knowledge. Fortunately, I was able to switch to a monthly rather than a yearly plan, and I'll get the money refunded, but it won't show up until sometime next week. In the meantime, I have zipperoo to spend.</p>
<p>A side note to Erin--I noticed my "Personal Fantasy vs. Marketable Story" blog entry disappeared from the main page rather quickly--and I think I know why. If I insulted anyone who likes to write stories based on their personal fantasies, rest assured it was purely unintentional. I see nothing wrong with those stories in themselves--I just wanted to know how to move beyond that in my own writing. I know you say, "It's not about you," but it I do write something here that bothers people, I'd rather know than drive myself crazy guessing.</p>
</div></div></div>Sat, 09 Jul 2016 19:57:40 +0000Ragtime Rachel62567 at https://bigclosetr.us/topshelfhttps://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/62567/ever-have-one-those-weeks#commentsPaging Raff01 and sherryann44...https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/62559/paging-raff01-and-sherryann44<section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-8 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Author: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/author/ragtime-rachel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ragtime Rachel</a></li></ul></section><section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-26 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Blog About: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/blog-about/authors-stories-books-writing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Authors / Stories / Books / Writing</a></li></ul></section><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>... your adoring public misses you.</p>
<p>OK. To be more accurate, <em>I</em> miss you.</p>
<p>Raff, you created a fictional universe of dazzling complexity, peopled with characters so real that we hung on every word. When last we saw Tracy, in your Halloween story, she seemed weighed down by all that happened to her, with no respite in sight. I'd hate to think she was doomed to languish in an abandoned storyline.</p>
<p>Sherryann, your pair of intertwining stories ("Struggles" and "Choices") are a work of genius. I don't think I've ever before seen a writing style, an approach to storytelling, as innovative as that. You left me wondering just how the parallel narratives of Jack/Becky and Rich, spanning several decades, will eventually come together. I assume an adult Becky will meet Rich, but how? When? End the torture, please. =)</p>
<p>All kidding aside, these stories are too good to leave hanging. You both have elevated TG fiction storytelling beyond the mundane (see previous entry) and owe it not to us, but yourselves, to keep it going.</p>
</div></div></div>Sat, 09 Jul 2016 05:51:14 +0000Ragtime Rachel62559 at https://bigclosetr.us/topshelfhttps://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/62559/paging-raff01-and-sherryann44#commentsPersonal fantasy vs. marketable storyhttps://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/62554/personal-fantasy-vs-marketable-story<section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-8 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Author: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/author/ragtime-rachel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Ragtime Rachel</a></li></ul></section><section class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-26 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Blog About: </h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/topshelf/blog-about/authors-stories-books-writing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Authors / Stories / Books / Writing</a></li></ul></section><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>A book on writing I'm currently reading says the reason most aspiring novelists are rejected by publishers is that their core concept is weak. That is, they need more of a "hook" to build a story around.</p>
<p>That got me to thinking about what exactly constitutes a story, and came to the following conclusions. First, most of the "stories" I attempt are not in fact stories, but fantasies I've attempted to write down. I fantasize about being a little girl, doing stereotypical little-girl things, living the female childhood I never had (OK, so I buy into the gender binary--sue me). Therefore, that's what I write about.</p>
<p>Secondly, I've never been able to write anything that wasn't trans-related, a fact I'm sure is related to conclusion number one. I couldn't write a conventional, non-trans work of genre fiction to save my life, simply because I don't fantasize about being a part of most of those stories. (And therefore, don't read them).</p>
<p>Unfortunately, one's personal fantasies are boring, since rarely do two people share exactly the same fantasy. It's translating those fleeting mental images to a logical, compelling story arc that causes me to falter. </p>
<p>What often results is that no matter how promising my initial idea, sooner or later the stories I attempt degenerate into what I call POO (short for "Parade Of Outfits"). That is, after the initial gender change/transition, the stories become little more than "...and then she wore...and then she wore...and then she wore...." A sure cure for insomnia if ever there was one</p>
<p>There are exceptions, of course, in work I've read by others--light, frothy little fantasies that catch my interest. (I can think of several in the Altered Fates and SRU universes). They're usually short, however, while the longer ones are often about much more than the transformation.</p>
<p>Like the late Katie Leone before me, I'd like to do more with trans fiction than light cross-dressing fantasy, perhaps even produce something a mainstream readership would like without stepping into POO (sorry, couldn't resist that). Exactly <em>how</em> is the question.</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 08 Jul 2016 21:12:28 +0000Ragtime Rachel62554 at https://bigclosetr.us/topshelfhttps://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/blog-entry/62554/personal-fantasy-vs-marketable-story#comments
