The deaf community is highly diverse it is therefore perhaps not surprising that it can be hard to find consensus about Deaf or deaf!

Write the character as a person, not a diagnosis. We’re complicated, interesting, and main characters in our own right.

This isn’t a review of "American Fiction”. Instead, this post helps examine what we as writers and publishers can learn from this film that holds up a mirror to see the choices made when writing and publishing historically marginalized characters.

While their entire personality shouldn’t be dictated by their Autism symptoms, here’s some insight on how to describe an Autistic character.

"Should I even write this?" This series of open ended questions can help you determine if you should write that project.

From Jinn to Islamic principles, what to consider if you want to write Muslims in magical worlds.

As a writer with severe arthritis, productivity can be a struggle. These are the things I wish I’d known when I first started writing.

Now that you've received feedback from your sensitivity reader, this helpful guide can get from comments to revisions.

Here are three warning signs you can use to determine if you should “avoid that Black character.”

What does identity mean for biracial characters? Especially when how they look doesn't align with society's expectations.

Is your disabled character a fully realized person or simply a prop?

There's more to your nonbinary characters than pronouns and coming out stories. Read tips on how to write well-rounded nonbinary characters.

Let’s talk about some common horror cliches, how they are rooted in bigotry, and some tips on how to not perpetuate them.

A hijab is more than just a piece of cloth. Components of religion, culture, and agency must be considered when writing this character.

Here you are, writing the death scene for one of your marginalized characters. Have you considered the impact of this choice?

Do me a favor. Open up your manuscript and search for the word "dark." What do you notice? Are you using it literally as a physical descriptor? Figuratively, as a way to describe a mood or tone? Perhaps both? Are you noticing any trends, patterns, or maybe some problems with how you're using the word?

One of the best ways to effectively avoid stereotypes is being able to recognize them. Here are four documentaries that will help educate you on racial stereotypes that have been prevalent and pervasive in American media.

"White as default" is when whiteness is the litmus test for what is considered normal behavior, culture, and appearance. Through media, books, visual media, politics...etc. we are socialized to think it's normal to be white and everyone else is defined by their proximity to whiteness.

One of the best tips I give writers who want to create a character outside of their own identity is, read. Read about the people you want to write about. Read authors who fall into that demographic of your character. Read, read, read.

If you're wrestling with the question regarding race, sexuality, or any other identity keep these things in mind.