This month’s featured resource is the Writing with Color Tumblr website. This site is one crucial component in creating diverse characters that are not based on stereotypes or offensive.
If the Black Lives Matter movement, increased hate crimes against the AAPI and other POC communities, aggressive treatment of LGBTQA+ people, and attacks on those with a nonconforming gender identity have taught me one major thing it’s this: I know nothing about how other people move through the world.
As a writer, it’s my job to create characters that accurately reflect the world’s diversity. Being able to do that starts with learning. So, as a small step, I go to the Writing with Color Tumblr.
What’s the Website About?
The Writing with Color Tumblr is a website is moderated by a diverse group of people that offers counsel on how to respectfully write people of all kinds. There is a HUGE list of tropes and stereotypes often assigned to POC, including why they are harmful and some suggestions for how to avoid them. There’s a description cheat-sheet that’s super helpful when trying to respectfully describe skin color and skin tone.
The site moderators also offer guidance for writing characters with different gender identities, sexuality, cultural backgrounds, race, religion, social issues, etc. Check the whole list.
If I described all the topics this website covers, we’d all have to forward our mail to this post. Basically, the Writing with Color Tumblr is an invaluable part of my writing life. It is one small step I can take toward being a better writer and a better human. And, when I need to know more, I consult their list of blogs and book/media recommendations.
Have a favorite resource you want to share? Leave a comment and let me know how it’s helped you.
Want more Writing Craft Resources? Check out the Archive.
Image Credit: Image: ATC Comm Photo on Pexels
