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The eponymous protagonist also happens to be asexual.
(The A in LGBTQIA actually stands for Asexual, though people commonly mistake it for Ally.)
Credit: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: One of the big themes in the book is Tashs devotion to her web series.
And forWar and Peacelovers, theres always the magnificentNatasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
The other big aspect of the book is Tash coming out to different people she knows.
At what point in the writing process did you know she was asexual?From the very beginning.
And that initial inspiration didnt change throughout my drafting [process].
Tashs character remained implacably true to herself which was so very like her.
Tashs asexuality didnt come out of a vacuum, either.
In the book, youre very careful to not equate asexuality with being aromantic (i.e.
experiencing little or no romantic feelings for others), because Tash does have crushes on people.
Some people assume that it isnt possible to feel romantic attraction without sexual attraction.
Still, others portray both aromantic and asexual individuals as cold, frigid, or lacking empathy.
I was aware of these issues and many others when I sat down to writeTash Hearts Tolstoy.
I hope to see so much more ace/aro rep in the future especially aromantic rep!
This publishing process has impressed upon me just how great a need for it there is.
Youre not only tackling asexuality youre also writing about web production.
Our first season was a mash-up ofRomeo and Juliet,Hamlet, andMuch Ado About Nothing.
The second season was a storyline devoted entirely to the Weird Sisters fromMacbeth.
Dont be afraid of imperfection.
Learn from the mistakes and create even better art next time.
Maybe that something great will fall flat.
Maybe nobody will watch or read or listen.
Maybe it will just be a draft the prelude to somethingreallygreat.
Regardless, you will have created something out of nothing, and that is a priceless achievement.
You cant get to that point unless youstart.
For those figuring out their sexuality: Youre allowed to figure it out for as long as you need.
Youre allowed to be confused.
Youre allowed to grow older, to change, to evolve.
Tash Hearts Tolstoyis available now.
