Diversity!
Someone said the other day that diversity is like the office coffee machine—ubiquitous, necessary, and always part of the conversation. Great analogy!
But here’s what I’m seeing: some writers enthusiastically embrace the idea of diversity but skip the instructions on how to seamlessly integrate it into their storytelling. That’s when things get wobbly—and credibility is left hanging. Believe me, I know a thing or two about wobbliness.
Once upon a time, I “apprenticed” at a marketing photography company, I was tasked with building furniture for shoots. One bookshelf, in particular, still haunts me. I briefly skimmed the instructions, but we were in a rush. I winged it. The result? A wobbly disaster. Couldn’t hold a single product. When I left for school, my send-off card featured a photo of that bookshelf. My legacy – something shaky.
Lesson learned: furniture or diversity, skipping steps is never a good idea. It hurts the final product and your credibility.
The push for inclusivity has never been louder. Readers want books that reflect the world they live in—a beautifully messy, kaleidoscopic mosaic of experiences, identities, and perspectives (I swiped your line @you know who 😉).
And they’re right. STORIES have POWER. They shape how we see ourselves and others, show empathy, and how we connect. A world where all books are written from the same vantage point? Boring. Life isn’t vanilla—mine certainly isn’t (I’m smiling).
Adding “that” character/situation just to check a box? Let’s not. Glitter on a mess doesn’t make it art. Readers aren’t fooled. They want characters with depth, purpose, and dimension—No cardboard cutouts.
The key? Draw from real life. Recall people you’ve met whose complexities and layers made them unforgettable. Those characters bring stories to life. They feel genuine because they are genuine. I do this with each character in my books – in all their diversities.
Wake up all 5 senses & learn to bring alive the olfactory language of experience:
https://lnkd.in/gzQnKXdd
Publishing thrives on fresh perspectives. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (💗 her) quote comes to mind: “Fight for the things you care about but do it in a way that inspires others to join you.”
My fight is for indie writers. Take note: craft stories that spark genuine empathy, understanding, and curiosity. Diversity isn’t just a box to tick—it’s the foundation of storytelling, building stronger connections and richer narratives.
Make the promise to create well-fleshed-out characters that reflect life in all its unpredictable, twisty-turny, and yes, occasionally ridiculous variety.
Last words– and for the record: while I may struggle at bookshelf assembly, but crafting books is another matter entirely. That’s my expertise—now I help others create their best work, the right way, and get it into hands of eager readers.
#AuthenticVoices #IndieAuthors#WriterLife #OmeraPress #writingcommunity
