I've been asked to talk about diversity in writing! Now, I believe the requester had originally wanted me to vent about all the things wrong about how Wattpad attempts (or doesn't attempt) to be diverse. However, I thought that it would be more helpful for everyone to also write some tips about it.

Why?

Because diversity is huge to me. As someone who has been excluded because of my skin colour, I think it's so important to spread some information and understanding to the world. I think it's important to ensure that people who are trying to represent diversity in their stories are doing it in a way that spreads love, understanding and compassion across literature.

So, first of all... what even does diversity entail?

Diversity is a whole load of things. It includes different religious backgrounds and racial backgrounds, neurodiversity, physical and health disabilities, genders and gender fluidity, sexuality, and comes all the way to underrepresented people in literature. This includes body weights and shapes, different skin colours, and even different types of relationships in literature.

Now, the first question I often get asked is, "Can I write about people of colour when I am Caucasian? Can I write about a bisexual character when I identify as straight?"

It's tricky. Because, on one hand, you feel like you don't have a right to represent those voices. And I will absolutely emphasise the importance of #ownvoices -- there is something so incredibly special and important about people writing from direct experience.

However, I don't think people should restrict themselves because of their own upbringing.

Can you imagine if I, as a female, was only allowed to write about female identifying characters? Because I'm not a "man", I wouldn't be able to understand how men work?

Ridiculous. I know exactly how men work. They... um... eat popcorn. And sleep a lot. Yeah. Totally. I know what I'm talking about.

However, on more serious terms, there is no obligation to write only about what we have experienced. In fact, it's dangerous! Once upon a time, people of colour were not even allowed to vote -- can you imagine how hard it would be for them to publish books? Their books would be amazing, but all the publishing firms wouldn't accept their beautiful works because of their skin colour. Then, all their incredible books about being a person of colour are unread, and that prevents future readers from opening their minds.

Because, let's face it: literature is a powerful tool that does help us open our minds. Each one of you who is writing a story right now? You have so much power in your hands to change the way people think and feel.

However, when publishers were once casting books aside because it spread a message of diversity... well, that was a problem. That's why it was so important for people who weren't necessarily in a minority to stand up for the minority and include characters of colour, or neurodivergent characters, or characters identifying with the LGBTQ+ community.

The good thing is that publishing companies are a lot more open-minded right now. So, in response to the question, "Can I write characters that don't have the exact experiences as me?"

My answer? Yes. But be sensitive to how you do it.

For example, I am really lucky with my work as a psychologist. I hear about experiences from lots of people -- I work with neurodivergent kids and talk to them about how challenging the world can be for them. I have helped people overcome the difficulty of coming out to their parents, and have seen, first-hand in the therapy room, how their parents respond to it. So, for me, I feel like I've seen so much first-hand experience that I feel alright writing about it.

However, for example, I identify as a female. I've never identified as genderfluid or trans. Would I still include a genderfluid or trans character in my story? Absolutely.

Would I make the story all about exploring their sexuality, or the medication process, or the struggle of being accepted by their family? No. I wouldn't. Because, while I think I could do justice writing a genderfluid character who wants to be an archaeologist, I will never do as much justice writing about the hardships and transitions in comparison to someone who has lived those experiences and knows more about what it felt like to go through the full process. I just think that an #ownvoices author would just do it so much more justice.

What is #ownvoices, you ask? I realise I've used it twice with no explanation! #ownvoices is when, say, an author who identifies as lesbian writes a story about a character who is a lesbian. They are so important, and I encourage people to find stories with the #ownvoices tag and read them. So special.

But, overall, yes! I don't want people to "stick with what they know" and only write about their own skin colour and sexuality. Look around you! The world is full of diversity. I'm sure that, in your own life, you can probably name at least five people who are part of some diverse group. In fact, you could probably name fifty.

Diversity is everywhere and it is beautiful! So, if you want your book to be authentic, chances are that it probably would include diversity.

Besides, at the end of the day, regardless of people's sexuality and skin colour and any physical or neurological differences... we're all people. We all have emotions and hopes and dreams.

If you can write a complex human with ambitions and stakes, then you can just about write anything. Because that's what all humans are. We are curious, ambitious creatures who have things we care about. Regardless of skin colour or sexuality or anything at all, we still have feelings and thoughts.

Now, with that in mind, let's talk about some of the dos and don'ts of diversity...

I know, I know! This may seem confusing! We encourage diversity, and yet, we say not to include it if it's just for the sake of it? Isn't that a bit contradictory?

Like I said before, diversity is all around us. It's authentic to have people of different sexualities and races everywhere.

However, for example, please don't have every single member of a family be a different skin tone because 'diversity'. Unless, of course, that's how the mechanics of your world works, or because of adoption things. However, don't have a standard suburban family all look like they're from different continents of the world when... they were popped out of the same womb (with the same biological father). That's just... yeah, what?

Also, I am aware that siblings can look like they are from completely different places -- that's fine! However, I also know that it isn't often that two parents have children where each one looks like they've been kidnapped from each of the seven continents.

Also, similarly, don't just announce that some random bus driver who appears in chapter nine but never again is gay. Because, like, what? I've seen authors quickly toss in a random character who appears for one sentence, calls him gay, so that they fill the 'quota' of diversity.

Do not just label someone as a certain sexuality or race so that you are filling a 'quota'. That's not diversity. That's being... yeah, no, that's just weird.

You'd think I wouldn't have to say this. But the amount of times where I have seen characters become stereotypes of their 'diversity' group is simply ridiculous.

You have an Asian character? Did you know that not all Asian characters dream to become doctors or dentists? Did you know that not all excel in academics all the time?

You have a Latino female character? Did you know that not all Latino females are feisty? I have a bunch of Latino friends -- and two of them are so shy and soft-spoken.

You have a gay male character? Did you know that not all gay men are super flamboyant? Did you know that not all of them will call you 'sis'?

Their ethnicity is not their only personality trait. Their sexuality or neurological condition is not their only personality trait.

Something that I have noticed in novels is that when a character that doesn't fit any diversity groups is introduced, they tend to have detailed physical descriptions, hobbies, outfits, and lots of other information about them. However, when a person of colour is described, their skin colour is mentioned -- and that's it. We don't really know what they are into, or what they wear, or who they are. Same with sexualities. Same with disabilities. Same with literally every other group.

Give each character hopes and feelings and ambitions. Hobbies and detailed descriptions. Especially if they are supposed to be a significant character.

Also, don't ridicule any minority? Please?

I read a book where the protagonist complained about how there are no stories about plus-sized women that don't make the story about them being plus-sized. And I was like... yeah! You're so right! There should be more representation, and books about plus-sized women that don't just focus on their weight!

Then, the story proceeded to only be about her weight.

Which is fine! I think it's helpful for stories to support people, by showing how people can overcome the hardships of being bullied or being judged.

However, if you're going to complain about how all books are about a certain thing... maybe don't make your book about that certain thing, either?

I do not want to see a single slur be used in a story as a description. I have been called slurs. It sucks!

Also, just a heads up, it is not racist to just say that someone has brown skin or dark skin. You don't always need to say that they have caramel coloured skin... or chocolate coloured skin... or honey coloured skin... or brownie coloured skin... or fried-rice coloured skin... or other-food coloured skin... Seriously, what is up with the food, guys?

I read a story that was supposed to be about Indian culture. It was about a cool ass Indian curse that had plagued an Indian prince, and turned him into a tiger. The whole of India was endangered because of this curse. And it's up to the 'chosen one' to save the day, break the curse, and save India.

Cool premise, right?

Except the protagonist is a Caucasian girl from America who knows not a single thing about India. No background there. She just happens to be the chosen one.

And when the story is written like that, it almost makes it seem like people from India can't solve their own problems. They require some random, Mary-Sue character from another country to come over and save the day. Both tiger princes fell in love with her, too.

Grr.

Why not have a protagonist who has some sort of background or ancestry or cultural connection to the country itself? Why would you have all this opportunity for diversity, but then make the central focus someone who has no connection to the land at all?

It just felt quite insensitive and, frankly, not really okay.

I want everyone to cut the bullshit of 'boys won't read stories where girls are the protagonist'.

If it's a good story with complex characters, everyone can read it and enjoy it. You don't need to try making your story something that will 'appeal' to a 'bigger range' of people. That's silly.

Write the story with authenticity and open-mindedness. Write about what you believe in.

If you don't believe in something and know you won't be able to do it justice because of your own beliefs, then don't write about it. However, if you do believe in something, don't suppress your beliefs for the sake of others. That's not how we change the world.

And, by research, I do not mean to read and memorise a Wikipedia page about what it's like to be a raging bisexual, or to have a mild cognitive impairment.

Reading and researching people's experiences is fantastic. Speaking to advocates for minority groups is even better. Speaking to people about their experiences is the best thing you can do.

Find sensitivity readers to read and check to make sure you are doing justice to the peoples you choose to represent.

Read lots of fiction including diversity (that you know are doing the diverse groups justice). Read lots of non-fiction about them, too!

And if you come from a diverse group, be brave. Write your experience. Share your story!

If you are not from a diverse group, also be brave. Experiment! Research! Get readers to check in and make sure you are on the correct track, and you are doing your characters justice regardless of who they are, what they believe, and what they look like.

I also want to say: if you are trying to include diversity, please don't be embarrassed if you feel like you've done it wrong. What matters is you're trying to open up the world. Keep trying, keep reading, and keep researching! You can do this!

And that's all I have to say!