IF Seal: Should I write my WLW story even if that might limit appeal?
Hey IF-seal, so i have had an idea for writing an IF where the MC is genderlocked female and her love interests are female too. I am very concerned and anxious that if I put out this project people won't be interested as there isn't much agency when it comes to the gender of the MC and the LIs but I have been so passionate about writing a wlw story with a choices format and I really want to pursue it, I don't have a big reason for making the MC gender locked other than the fact that I have always wanted to write female characters that are different than usual like see them in contexts in which usually males are seen in and making female LIs is because that's the only romance i feel comfortable writing. Should i go for it or dump it?
Dear WLW-writing Friend,
I am taking your hands in my flippers and entreating you:
Please write your F/F story.
I do not wish to be contrary but I will gently contradict you when you say you do not have a big reason for your MC to be gender-locked. In fact you have at least three which you have said to me already!
- writing female love interests is where you are comfortable
- you would like to write female characters in contexts in which male characters are typically seen
- you are passionate about writing a WLW story
And if you only felt the final bullet point, that would be enough.
There are other ways in which players can be given agency in these types of games than the gender of the PC or romanceable characters. (In fact, there are plenty of decisions to be made about the types of agency you want to give players too - which is perhaps for another longer post.)
It is true that there are people who will not want to play as a female character - I will not dispute that - but there are also plenty who will. And there will be people who will be immensely excited about the fact that you are specifically writing a WLW game. They are your audience for this story!
Best of luck with your writing, friend.