{"id":24010,"date":"2021-03-26T03:00:10","date_gmt":"2021-03-26T10:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=24010"},"modified":"2021-03-22T10:19:05","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T17:19:05","slug":"diversity-in-writing-ways-to-be-more-inclusive-in-literature-by-thao-nguyen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/26\/diversity-in-writing-ways-to-be-more-inclusive-in-literature-by-thao-nguyen\/","title":{"rendered":"Diversity in Writing: Ways to be More Inclusive in Literature by Thao Nguyen"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Diversity<\/a>Today we welcome a new guest writer to Writer\u2019s Fun Zone, Thao Nguyen who is stopping by to chat with us about \u201cDiversity in Writing: Ways to be More Inclusive in Literature.\u201d Enjoy!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Diversity comes in many forms,<\/strong> from things that we\u2019ve tried to categorize (like ethnicities), to things that are constantly transforming (like gender identities), to things that are just bundled together (like disabilities).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s no doubt difficult to approach diversity as a writer, especially when you yourself may not have experienced those circumstances or been underrepresented in those specific ways.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But what are books if not a medium through which we can better empathize with others?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Uplifting writers from underrepresented backgrounds is the most effective way to improve diversity in publishing, although that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t try to be more inclusive with your own writing as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips to Bring Diversity to Your Writing\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

With that in mind, I\u2019m here to share some tips that have helped me better appreciate and portray diversity in my writing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Understand Perspective: Point of View<\/span><\/h3>\n

The first step to putting myself in the place of others is to realize I\u2019m standing at a completely different position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone has a particular background and set of experiences that shapes their concerns and purposes<\/strong>, and gives them a perspective that\u2019s not quite the same as\u00a0 anyone else\u2019s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s as if we\u2019ve each been given a slightly different pair of tinted glasses to wear: in order to truly see what it\u2019s like to look through another person\u2019s lens, you have to remove your own first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Being aware of this makes it a bit easier to mindfully unpack <\/strong>characters\u2019 motivations and developments<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On a more tangible note, carefully considering which <\/span>point of view<\/span><\/a> your story is to be told through can also make a difference in the inclusivity of your writing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Choosing to tell a story from the first person or third-person limited viewpoint<\/strong>, for example, allows you to delve into the inner workings of a character\u2019s mind, and this can reveal specific emotions or thought processes very well. In such a case, the stylistic choices you make as a narrator can also portray diversity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, in the <\/span>inclusive children\u2019s book<\/span><\/a> Juli\u00e1n is a Mermaid<\/a><\/span><\/i>, told in third person limited, the use of \u201cabuela\u201d for grandmother adds another layer of diversity to the overarching gender-inclusive theme. A choice like this is small and sometimes only subconsciously registered by readers, but it builds a more elaborate and realistic representation of your character\u2019s background.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Read Outside of Your Comfort Zone\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

As with voice, style, and plotting, you can learn a lot about writing diversely through reading.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re writing about a particular historical event<\/strong>, for instance, reading nonfiction about that time period will naturally be part of your research.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some examples:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n