Writing diverse characters can feel tricky—you’re probably worried about accidentally offending someone or getting things wrong. Totally understandable; we’ve all been there.
The good news is, creating diverse characters isn’t as scary as it seems, and by the time you’ve finished this guide, you’ll feel way more confident. With a bit of empathy, research, and genuine curiosity, you’ll craft characters who feel real and relatable.
Ready to tell engaging stories that include diverse characters naturally? Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
- Fully understand your diverse character’s identity and background to keep their story genuine.
- Read books by authors from different backgrounds to grasp authentic perspectives effectively.
- Avoid harmful stereotypes and clichés by treating characters as real, layered individuals.
- Research well—check blogs, podcasts, documentaries, and connect with relevant communities for accuracy.
- Work closely with sensitivity readers to ensure realistic portrayals in your stories.
- Create richly rounded characters whose identities extend beyond their diversity.
- Include diverse characters naturally without forcing agendas or letting their identity dominate the narrative.
- Always write with empathy, humility, and respect, showing ongoing openness to learn.
Step 1: Understand Your Character’s Background
Before you even start writing, take time to deeply understand who your character is, what their life experiences are, and how their cultural background shapes their worldview.
Start by creating a detailed character profile that includes their family history, cultural traditions, beliefs, and any challenges they face due to their identity.
For example, if your main character is a first-generation immigrant, think about how their culture influences their choices, friendships, and how they navigate personal dilemmas.
It can be helpful to ask yourself questions like “Has my character experienced discrimination or racism?” or “How do their cultural traditions influence their everyday life?”.
By understanding your diverse character deeply, readers will recognize authenticity and feel more connected to their story overall.
Step 2: Read Books by Diverse Authors
The easiest way to understand how to write diverse characters well is simply by reading books written by authors from different backgrounds than your own.
This helps you grasp authentic voices, thoughts, feelings, and perspectives you might not otherwise consider.
For instance, authors such as Angie Thomas (“The Hate U Give”) and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (“Americanah”) write beautifully complex characters that reflect real-life struggles, joys, and truths through their own lived experiences.
Explore book lists online, library recommendations, or blogs dedicated to specific genres, like this excellent collection of realistic fiction writing prompts to broaden your reading horizons.
Diving into these books will naturally enrich your storytelling by showing you how diverse representation works at its best.
Step 3: Avoid Stereotypes and Common Tropes
We’ve all read stories where diverse characters become mere cardboard cutouts, boxed into harmful stereotypes—so let’s avoid doing that at all costs.
Common tropes like the “wise elder,” the “magical minority,” or portraying disabled characters solely as inspirational figures can perpetuate false beliefs and make your story less authentic.
Instead, approach your diverse characters with nuance and treat them like real people who have multiple layers, strengths, weaknesses, and contradictions.
To spot these stereotypes, critique your work by asking, “Does this trait or action rely on clichés I’ve seen before?” and “Would I write this trait the same way if they had a different background?”
It’s also valuable to check your writing with trusted beta readers or sensitivity readers who can provide honest, knowledgeable feedback.
If you’re new to working with beta readers, here’s a practical guide on how to be a beta reader or find a suitable one for your manuscript.
Remember, the goal isn’t to make your characters “perfect,” but to portray them as realistically and thoughtfully as possible.
Step 4: Do Detailed Research on Cultures and Experiences
If you’re serious about writing diverse characters, detailed research isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Sure, you’ve already read books by diverse authors, but now it’s time to go even deeper with your research.
Start by exploring first-hand accounts, documentaries, podcasts, blog posts, and interviews with individuals who share your character’s identity or experiences.
Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok even offer quick, authentic glimpses into people’s everyday lives, often directly from their perspective.
Take notes on small, authentic details like food traditions, gestures, humor, family dynamics—these elements add genuine depth and bring characters alive on the page.
Another practical way to enrich your understanding is to connect with relevant communities online or offline through forums or community events.
The goal is never to copy or borrow someone else’s lived experiences but to approach them respectfully and accurately as you craft your fictional world.
If you’re struggling with research overload, consider using a structured tool, like a dystopian plot generator, to help shape your cultural world-building and streamline your process.
Step 5: Get Feedback from Sensitivity Readers
Sensitivity readers aren’t scary book censors—they’re actually your allies helping ensure you portray diverse characters thoughtfully and respectfully.
Think of them as experts who can catch potential inaccuracies or misrepresentations you might overlook simply because you haven’t lived those experiences.
To find sensitivity readers, reach out to reputable writing groups, literary agencies, or directories specializing in diverse representation.
Be open-minded when they provide feedback; they’re not attacking you—just trying to help you avoid compromising authenticity or accidentally offending readers.
Discuss specific points clearly beforehand—for instance, “I’d appreciate if you could particularly check the dialogue authenticity of my transgender character.”
Getting sensitivity feedback early in your writing process can save a ton of rewrites later on, and it’s an important step toward creating genuine and respectful representation.
Step 6: Develop Multi-dimensional Personalities
Look around your friend group—do you have anyone who’s just one thing, all the time?
Nope, real people are messy, nuanced, contradictory, and constantly evolving—your diverse characters should be too.
Don’t define them just by their minority status; being Asian, gay, or having a disability shouldn’t be their only trait or even their primary one.
Create complex backstories, desires, goals, and relationships outside of cultural identities or stereotypes.
For instance, instead of focusing solely on a blind character’s struggles, explore their sense of humor, ambitions, fears, and relationships.
If you need inspiration, playful funny writing prompts for kids can unexpectedly spark quirky and relatable character traits you hadn’t previously considered.
Ultimately, when readers see multi-dimensional characters, they develop real connections and invest deeply into your stories.
Step 7: Show Diverse Characters Naturally in Your Story
Great diverse representation isn’t locked solely in “issues stories”—characters from marginalized backgrounds can (and should) appear naturally in any type of narrative.
They deserve space in romances, fantasy worlds, thrillers, and even everyday slice-of-life stories without their identity driving the plot constantly.
For example, if you’re writing a cozy holiday story, why not naturally include characters from varied backgrounds celebrating traditions beyond your own?
Including diverse characters organically illustrates real-world variety without preaching or feeling forced for readers.
To practice this natural inclusion, check out writing exercises or seasonal themes, like cozy winter writing prompts, that challenge you to weave in characters naturally and authentically.
Step 8: Write with Empathy and Respect
Genuine empathy and respect go beyond good intentions; it requires a continuous effort to understand the emotional realities behind diverse identities.
Approach writing with vulnerability, humility, and patience—even if it occasionally gets uncomfortable.
If you’re unsure about portraying a sensitive situation, pause and reflect: does this moment honor real people’s lived experiences?
Continually educate yourself about evolving language, cultural sensitivities, and shifting representation norms.
Stay open and listen actively, acknowledging you’re part of an ongoing learning process that’ll help your writing improve.
Most writers encounter tricky territory writing outside their background—you’re not alone, so don’t shy away from difficult conversations.
Remember, readers appreciate earnest, thoughtful attempts at diverse representation far more than perfection itself.
FAQs
Detailed research helps you accurately portray cultures and prevents reliance on harmful stereotypes. It creates authentic, diverse characters and respectful storytelling, demonstrating genuine understanding and earning your readers’ trust, especially those from represented backgrounds.
Sensitivity readers review drafts for problematic portrayals of marginalized communities, offering constructive feedback. They help writers catch inaccuracies or insensitive content early, improving representation, preventing backlash, and making characters more authentic and relatable.
Avoid stereotypes by giving characters distinct personalities, complex motivations, and backgrounds independent of clichés. Reading diverse authors, researching thoroughly, and consulting people from depicted groups help ensure your characters feel authentic, respectful, and thoughtfully developed.
Create diverse characters organically, focusing first on individuals’ experiences rather than solely their identities. Develop realistic dialogue, relatable challenges, and genuine relationships. Representing diversity naturally means integrating characters seamlessly, not tokenizing them for diversity’s sake.
