I’ve been a bit out of the writing game for a while. I had a lot of work which took up so much of my energy that I didn’t do almost any writing at all for six months.

I’m trying to get back in the game, and I’ve decided to start off by writing an ace/aro queerplatonic relationship for the Solitary Travelers collection. I’m always looking to expand my character diversity, and asexual and aromantic characters are definitely in the minority.

Added note for definitions on these terms:

Asexual: experiencing little or no sexual attraction (note: does not necessarily mean that an asexual person never experiences desire, nor does it necessarily mean that person would not have sex for some reason or hasn’t had sex.) Ace for short. Asexual people can have romantic attraction and a romantic relationship.

Aromantic: the opposite of asexual. Aromantics experience little or no romantic attraction. Aro for short. Aromantics are not necessarily asexual. Some might have sex just because they want to, without the need for a romantic attachment to their partner.

Ace/Aro: someone who is both asexual and aromantic.

Queerplatonic: a very strong, intense relationship that is not necessarily sexual or romantic. Not quite the same as having a strong friendship.

I’ve also wanted to try and expand on my writing voice and style. So I’ve decided to try writing something a bit different.

I want to write a story about dragons.

Right, I know what you’re thinking. Everyone and their auntie has written about dragons, and a LOT of people have written stories about dragonriders. Everyone loves dragons, and I really can’t blame them, because dragons are awesome. And being a dragonrider is probably the childhood dream (or adulthood dream?) of our generation.

I want to write the story from the dragon’s POV. And in this case, the dragon is also the ace/aro character, and the queerplatonic relationship is between the dragon and their rider.

His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik alternate historical fantasy

If any of you have ever had trouble defining exactly what a non-romantic and non-sexual queerplatonic relationship actually is, the bond between a dragon and their rider in fantasy novels is actually a pretty good example. And if you’ve read fantasy, you’ve probably read about how important a rider’s dragon is in that person’s life and vice versa. In a lot of cases, the rider’s dragon is even more important than the romantic interest, if there is one.

So look forward to that, I definitely am.

I’ve put a lot of projects on the back burner, including my genderqueer villain story. I’m still going to write that one, even though I missed the deadline for the Villain’s Inc anthology.

Anyway, that’s my current writing project. Hopefully there will be more to follow once I get this one underway.

So dragons. Yes.