I Had to Share this Story: "For a Girl"

[A]

Some parts of this post have been made illegible, by lack of a Spoiler function, because it might spoil you just a little. Nothing major, but some insights on why I found this story great might be minor spoilers. To read the whole post, please select the text, copy it and paste it somewhere - say, Notepad.

(Yes, those cyan-and-black line thingies are text.)

A couple of days ago, my girlfriend shared this story with me. And I must say, it was surprisingly educational for me. It helped me psychologically on some aspects, and with the help I have received from here and I know some people need, I felt I should share it, in case it helps someone else.

I used to see the future female me as pretty bland and boring; feared skirts and such skin-showing things because my personality is shy. But this story, coupled with my girlfriend's simultaneous relooking and going out for the first time as a girl, changed my views; made me come to terms with some aspects of being a girl.

It somewhat made me appreciate the girl I am inside, and am going to become on the outside. (And made me wonder whether I would have understood that earlier should actual gender therapy have been available to me.) I used to think I would ever be in jeans and sneakers and sweaters, guy or girl, out of shyness and fear. But since yesterday - this story wasn't the only cause, but it sure is an undeniable part of it - I truly can't wait to look cute, with a cute skirt and all.

Warnings:

-The story has a fair amount of sexually explicit scenes, which made the prude me feel weird. Be warned. They don't lead the story, and even for me, they didn't prevent appreciating the story, but still. If you don't want to read about any sex, you might want to avoid this.

-The illness described does not exist, sadly. (Well, it would be bad for a lot of people, but if I could choose to be infected by it, I would.)

-Don't think you can read this leisurely during a break. It took my fast girlfriend 3 hours and the slow me (not counted but probably) 9 to read it. It could probably be printed into a short novel and look like an actual book. Postpone reading this if, like me (^^'), you have a lot of work due tomorrow.

-Please, oh, please, do not get into a debate of what downplays transgenders' identities or anything. It's fiction, I shared it to help and I hate debates. Enjoy it, avoid it or deal with it, but whichever the case, no debate. Use "Backspace" if you're about to post something that would start or continue a debate. Or take it to another thread. Thank you.

-Yes, the story starts slowly. It took me a good hour of reading to really get into it, the introduction being rather long. But worry not, it's not just a useless prologue.

http://www.tgstorytime.com/viewstory.php?sid=88&textsize=0&chapter=1

[Sianna]

Thanks for posting that, A. When I read the title, it sounded familiar. After the first words of the story I realised that I have read it years ago. Although I don't remember much, I still know that it is a real feel-good-story. I will re-read it and recommend it!

[Beth Andrea]

I just hit "quote" and all the writing from your post was there, easy to read...no copy and pasting (and changing font size, etc). Now on to the linked article...

[A]

Ah, right. Quote button. Simpler indeed. :3

[LivingInGrey]

I'm half way through the book and I'm finding it hard to read at times. It's a great story so far (except for chapter 7... skimmed over most of that chapter and I'm waiting to pick it up again on chapter 8 ) it's just that, it honestly hurts to read this.

[A]

It hurts, you mean, jealousy? (I don't care about spoilers anymore, this isn't the first post~)

Well, so many people here would love to have GB, me first, but I'm fine about it being pure fiction and accept the harshness of reality. I guess it can hurt to read this before you've reached that step of acceptance, though, and I admit it took me a while to do so.

Regardless, I enjoyed the story mainly because of how it speaks of the day-to-day joys and woes of being a girl, and through this, I was able to come to term with my wishes to be/look girly, how it's all right to feel that way and such.

And I know a ton of this is unrealistic, but seeing the main character, who was even forced into changing genders, adapt so well, in detail, day by day, even though that's not how it happens in real life, or even how it would happen if GB existed, that made me feel more at ease with transition and full time. I used to fear that point, that wall to cross, but now I'm just looking forward to it and cursing my low oestrogen levels and the delays needed for a name change.

[A]

Yes, of course. Reality is twisted, and exaggerated in some aspects. I don't have any reference to compare with (still living as male, yay -.-"), but I think that there's still a basis of truth in there. And the fact it's exaggerated maybe made it somehow... More obvious, easier to understand, easier to identify with?

[LivingInGrey]

I felt like it made being girly so...girly lol. Its a tad skewed and not really the best perception of what it means to be a girl

This, along with the emo and overt sexual tone the story had made it seem a bit off base. It was a good story though. I probably would have put more stock in the story if she ended up hating her mother even more... Seems like that more of a "norm" for teenagers these days. But all in all it was a great feel good story.

Just wish there was a way to just be all like "oooh I have GB, well... time to go shopping" IRL.   

I wouldn't mind finding other books out there sorta like this. I enjoyed reading this but it did seem a bit far out there.

[Isabelle]

I read most of it and to be honest I felt it was quiet puerile. I found it to be heavily mysogynistic, overtly fetishized and autogynephillic. Not trying to start a debate, just sharing my thoughts. I don't think the story is offensive to transexuals specifically because it has nothing to do with them however, I do think it is offensive to humans in general.

[A]

Oh, yes, it's full of stereotypes, and stereotypes that no one wants to see spread. I think that to truly enjoy it, you have to look beyond the moral implications of those stereotypes.

I personally loved the large exaggerations of tons of things that are in this story. A lot of things are driven home that way, in a way that would take much more time (or even never get to that point) without the obvious, big fat exaggerations and stereotypes. Maybe it was even meant that way, to make the stereotypes so obvious there's no question about them being seriously put or not, so they can do their other purpose "in peace".

But then again, in many respects I'm not as "evolved" as most people my age (I'm still in the process of growing out of "mental childhood"), so maybe those things that this story helped me come to terms with are already long implemented and obvious to most others, so to them, the story just seems silly. They look beyond the moral implications of the stereotypes but just see useless, obvious things.