How do we write diverse characters in fiction? What are the do’s and don’ts of writing race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, origin, ability, age, appearance, and so on?
Join Bethany A. Tucker and Mariëlle S. Smith as they explore why representation matters and how we, as writers and editors, can do better.
All content for Doing Diversity in Writing is the property of Bethany A. Tucker & Mariëlle S. Smith and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
How do we write diverse characters in fiction? What are the do’s and don’ts of writing race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, origin, ability, age, appearance, and so on?
Join Bethany A. Tucker and Mariëlle S. Smith as they explore why representation matters and how we, as writers and editors, can do better.
In this episode of Doing Diversity in Writing, Bethany and Mariëlle discuss the dos and don’ts of writing non-binary characters.
Here’s what we talk about:
What non-binary means
How diverse the non-binary community is
How to handle characters who are questioning their gender identity
Pronouns and how to use them in our writing
Naming characters beyond the binary
And here are the (re)sources we mentioned on the show:
“Tweens and teens explore the power of pronouns” by Matt Vilano: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/19/health/pronouns-guide-for-parents-wellness/
“How to Create Nonbinary Characters” by Jules: https://allwritealright.com/how-to-create-nonbinary-characters/
“Six tips for writing genderqueer and nonbinary characters” by Eris Young: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/articles/6-tips-for-writing-genderqueer-and-nonbinary-characters
“How to Write Non-binary Characters: a three part guide” by D.N. Bryn: https://brynwrites.tumblr.com/post/190062852159/how-to-write-non-binary-characters-a-three-part
“How to Write Non-binary Characters: Part II” by D.N. Bryn: https://brynwrites.tumblr.com/post/190062852159/how-to-write-non-binary-characters-a-three-part
“How to Write Non-binary characters: Part III” by D.N. Bryn: https://www.dnbryn.com/2020/01/18/how-to-write-non-binary-characters-part-iii/
“List of nonbinary identities”: https://nonbinary.miraheze.org/wiki/List_of_nonbinary_identities
“List of uncommon nonbinary identities”: https://nonbinary.miraheze.org/wiki/List_of_uncommon_nonbinary_identities
The Love Language series by Reese Morrison: https://www.goodreads.com/series/288294-love-language
The Adelaide series by Mustang Rabbit, one of Bethany’s pen names: https://www.goodreads.com/series/301418-the-adelaide-series
Onesies and Ouijaboards by Jamie Sands: https://www.witchyfiction.com/books/onesies-and-ouijaboards
Sex Education: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7767422
Supernatural: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460681
Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen by Robert McKee: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27416067-dialogue
This week’s episode page can be found here: https://representationmatters.art/2023/02/10/s3e8
For those who want to stay in touch, this is where you can find us:
Bethany:
Website: https://theartandscienceofwords.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076459593900
Goodreads (Bethany A. Tucker): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20948950.Bethany_A_Tucker
Goodreads (as Mustang Rabbit): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20130552.Mustang_Rabbit
Goodreads (as Ciara Darren): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8186590.Ciara_Darren
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theartandscienceofwords
Mariëlle:
Website: https://mswordsmith.nl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mswordsmith
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18455235.Mari_lle_S_Smith
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariellessmith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariellessmith
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYOpjmj83mvMM2L348F1w
Diving into Writing podcast: https://divingintowriting.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter here and get out Doing Diversity in Writing Toolkit, including our Calm the F*ck Down Checklist and Cultural Appropriation Checklist: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r3p6g8
Website: https://representationmatters.art
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doingdiversityinwriting
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtHfIaeylIgbAWVy3E66lmw
Doing Diversity in Writing
How do we write diverse characters in fiction? What are the do’s and don’ts of writing race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, origin, ability, age, appearance, and so on?
Join Bethany A. Tucker and Mariëlle S. Smith as they explore why representation matters and how we, as writers and editors, can do better.
