Doing Diversity in Writing  By  cover art

Doing Diversity in Writing

By: Bethany A. Tucker & Mariëlle S. Smith
  • Summary

  • 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.
    Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • DDW - S3 Ep8 - Writing Non-binary Characters
    Feb 10 2023
    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 meansHow diverse the non-binary community isHow to handle characters who are questioning their gender identityPronouns and how to use them in our writingNaming 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_identitiesThe Love Language series by Reese Morrison: https://www.goodreads.com/series/288294-love-languageThe Adelaide series by Mustang Rabbit, one of Bethany’s pen names: https://www.goodreads.com/series/301418-the-adelaide-seriesOnesies and Ouijaboards by Jamie Sands: https://www.witchyfiction.com/books/onesies-and-ouijaboardsSex Education: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7767422Supernatural: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460681Dialogue: 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
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • DDW - S3 Ep7 - Writing Trans Characters
    Feb 7 2023
    In this episode of Doing Diversity in Writing, Bethany and Mariëlle talk about how to write transgender characters.   Here’s what we discussed:   Who gets to write trans charactersWhich stereotypes and tropes to avoidOther things to avoid when writing trans charactersThe things we SHOULD be writing about when writing trans characters And here are the (re)sources we mentioned on the show:   “The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing Transgender Characters” by Alice Thomas: https://properz.medium.com/the-dos-and-don-ts-of-writing-transgender-characters-15ae8fbfab6b “How to Write About Trans People” by Eli Cugini: https://electricliterature.com/how-to-write-about-trans-people/ Quora forum: https://www.quora.com/What-should-a-cisgender-author-remember-to-take-into-account-when-writing-transgender-characters“Writing Better Trans Characters” by Cheryl Morgan: http://strangehorizons.com/non-fiction/articles/writing-better-trans-characters/“Writing Trans Characters” by Alex DiFrancesco: https://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2016/11/08/writing-trans-characters/“How to Write Transgender Characters” by Michael Brewer-Berres: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/write-transgender-characters“Before you write about a transgender character, read this” by Casey Plett: https://www.cbc.ca/arts/before-you-write-about-a-transgender-character-read-this-1.3919848“Transgender People” in the GLAAD Media Reference Guide 11th Edition: https://www.glaad.org/reference/transgender“Glossary of Terms: Transgender” in the GLAAD Media Reference Guide 11th Edition: https://www.glaad.org/reference/trans-terms“Trans 101: glossary of trans words and how to use them” by Gender Minorities Aotearoa: https://genderminorities.com/glossary-transgender/Disclosure: https://www.disclosurethemovie.com/about Sense8: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2431438/ Dreadnought by April Daniels: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30279514-dreadnoughtCemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52339313-cemetery-boysSilence of the Lambs: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102926Tootsie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084805Mrs. Doubtfire: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107614Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: https://www.caseymcquiston.com/red-white-royal-blue    This week’s episode page can be found here:  representationmatters.art/2023/02/08/s3e7   Subscribe to our newsletter here and get our 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
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • DDW - S3 Ep05 - Writing Men - Part II
    Sep 5 2022

    In this episode of Doing Diversity in Writing, Bethany and guest host Louvie Tucker talk about writing better male characters. This is the second part of a two-part episode on the topic.

     

    Here’s what we talk about:

    • Physical representation of male characters
    • Derogatory language often applied to men and how we might handle it in fiction
    • Representation in media that we’ve found encouraging
    • Touch and intimacy (primarily nonsexual)
    • Using name calling as world building and character communication

    And here are the (re)sources we mentioned on the show:

    • Tough by Terry Crews
    • The Mask of Masculinity by Lewis Howes
    • The Art of Manliness 
    • White Rage by Carol Anderson
    • Reading biographies and memoirs in general. 
    • Youtube Channel Writing with Jenna Moreci has two good videos on “10 Best Tips for Writing Male Characters”. We sincerely recommend her channel and these episodes in particular.
    • “How to Write a Damn Good Man” by Robert Wood: (this is the article quoted at the very end of the podcast recording) https://www.standoutbooks.com/writing-male-characters/

     

    Films and novels we reference: 

    • The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien 
    • BBC’s Doctor Who (the current series)
    • BBC’s Sherlock series
    • The Visitor by Louvie Tucker 
    • The Queen’s Enforcer by Ciara Darren 

     

    Find Louvie Tucker’s novel, The Visitor, here. Available in eBook and print form on Amazon, and as an eBook in most online stores. 

     

    This week’s episode page can be found here: ?????

     

    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 

     

    As always, we’d love for you to join the conversation by filling out our questionnaires. 

     

    Our Doing Diversity in Writing – Writer Questionnaire can be filled in at https://forms.gle/UUEbeEvxsdwk1kuy5

     

    Our Doing Diversity in Writing – Reader Questionnaire can be filled in at https://forms.gle/gTAg4qrvaCPtqVJ36 

     

    Website: https://representationmatters.art

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doingdiversityinwriting

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtHfIaeylIgbAWVy3E66lmw

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    2 hrs and 8 mins

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