A walk through on how to write a character who is a person of color or a character that falls into the LGBTQ+ “category”:

I've seen many writers who write a story with only straight, white people. Others complain about the lack of diversity. I saw one argument on twitter which really blew my mind.

They referred to a thread made previously, saying, “This whole thread is telling me what I can and can't write as a non POC. You don't get to do that. MY writing. We get slammed for writing POC characters and then get slammed for no diversity. My writing. My characters. I gave up on writing because of self-righteous writers like [the person they were arguing with.] I can no longer write without panic attacks. So thanks.”

I have several problems with this argument.

Now, I am not sure what the previous thread this person was referring to was about, but it isn't hard to tell.

Second, a few criticisms should not mean one should completely quit with writing. Criticism always comes with creating a work, and if one cannot handle them, maybe it isn't for them. It hurts sometimes, but it makes people better at what they do.

A few comments about whether you have diversity or inaccurate characters bring up the next problem. Why do you not include POC or LGBTQIA+ characters? Do you not know how to write one? It really isn't complex. I promise. Take it from a fellow creative writer.

I'll offer a step by step tutorial on how to create a good POC character.

Step 1: Create a character.

Step 2: finished.

The only significant difference between a white and nonwhite character could be culture! In this case, do your research! Don't just guess and base it off of what you've seen in movies or stereotypes you see online. The only exception is if you are writing about your own culture. Personal experience, however, is completely different from this point.

Bottom line, the character you're creating is not different from a white character.

Moving on to LGBTQIA+ characters.

Step 1: create a character

Step 2: complete

Of course, there are things you need to remember when creating “this” type of character.

First, not every queer person is depressed, abused, bullied, or has a sad life. As a queer person myself, I'm tired of seeing stories about other queer characters who have all these problems. It's fine when it's a few, but it seems like a lot of people who don't know “how to write an LGBTQIA+ character” uses the same sort of base.

Second, a lot of queer people are proud of their sexuality or gender identity. Not everyone hates the way they are.

Next, not every queer person experiences dysphoria. It doesn't make someone less or more queer, it just means they don't experience this sort of struggle.

Same thing goes with a POC character.

Not every POC hate who they are. While I might, that doesn't mean the person sitting next to me will.

But most importantly with writing a character of any race, gender, sexuality, etc., there is one important thing to remember:

If it doesn't need to be mentioned, don't mention it. If the question about being gay or straight doesn't come up, then don't mention it. Subtle hints are fine, but don't make it everything about them! They are more than their gender, race, and sexuality!

And if someone has a problem with the character you made, perhaps they're a poorly written character.