My name is Jeffrey Matucha. I have six novels on Amazon and I am currently working on my seventh novel titled A Long Slow Aftermath. In this novel I have a blind character named Toshi who is significant part of the story.

This is a questionnaire that I have created for blind people because I want to get some insights in how to write for a blind character. I have done some research on the topic, but I would like to get some direct personal perspectives.

A Long Slow Aftermath is the story of a Preston, a man trying to get his life together after leaving a drug rehabilitation facility. His friendship with Toshi is significant because Preston comes from a very poor and working class background while Toshi comes from a privileged background.

Toshi is blind. She is a native Californian. She is the girlfriend of another supporting character named Thea. She uses a white cane to get around. She is not completely blind, as she can see blobs and shadows. In the work I do not identify the reasons why she is blind, or if she has been blind for her entire life, though that is implied in the work. I have created this questionnaire to give me a better idea of how to write for a blind character. There are many facets of her personality that I have already developed, but I could use some more insight. Feel free to answer some or all of these questions. Any feedback or input I can get is appreciated.

Below is an embed of a YouTube video in which I ask and explain these questions if you would rather hear them in audio form. Just after the video embed the questions are written out.

Question one – What are stereotypes about blind people that bother you? Any misconceptions?

Question two – Are there any facets of being blind that you would like to be emphasized in a blind character? Especially a character who has a major role in the story?

Question three – Do you have a seeing eye dog or do you use a cane? If you do not have a seeing eye dog, have you ever thought about getting one? Why or why not?

Question four – In this novel Toshi attends her first ever punk show, which is a wild show with a lot of drunk and obnoxious people. Do you go to musical events? What is it like for you?

Question five – When people choose romantic partners, looks play an important role, probably more than most sighted people are willing to admit. How do you evaluate and choose potential partners given that you can not evaluate their looks?

Question six – In the work, Toshi contemplates getting a tattoo. Do any of you have tattoos? If so, how did you go about choosing a design an artist? If you do not have a tattoo, would you ever consider getting one? How would you go about getting one if you were to get a tattoo?

Question seven – Final question. Is there anything else you would like to add? Is there any thing about Toshi’s back story that you would like me to add?

You can email me your responses at jephmat@gmail.com

Commentary on these questions:

For the first question I originally wanted to ask about portrayals of blind people in fiction, but there are so few blind characters in fiction. When I thought about fictional blind characters the first two who came to mind were Daredevil, from the comics and movies, and Geordi LaForge of Star Trek the Next Generation. Yes they are blind characters but Daredevil has super senses that compensate for his blindness and LaForge has an advanced prosthetic that allows him to see even better than people who are not blind. So yes they are blind but they basically cheat their disability with super powers and advanced technology. The only other blind characters I could think of in film television and books only had bit roles or minor supporting roles.

I have already written much about Toshi and have included my own experiences with the blind people I have known. I was surprised to find out I could use a blind friend’s disabled placard when we were driving to meet some friends and I could not find a parking spot. I was also surprised when I found out a friend’s roommate, who was totally blind, would take my friend’s very energetic and bouncy pit bull for walks by herself. That dog was far from being a seeing eye dog and liked to go after squirrels and cats and try to say hello to everyone she met.

If you want to read a rough draft of the opening scene you can find it at this link!