Writers are often afraid to write characters whose gender, sexual orientation, religion, racial heritage, or other aspect of identity differs from their own. But it is possible to do so sensitively and convincingly! In this workshop, based on teachings from the book Writing the Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward, speculative fiction writer K Tempest Bradford will explore:

Why is representation important?

How do we craft characters that aren't like us?

What part do stereotypes and tropes play?

How do we research the other?

This workshop is a mixture of lecture, writing exercises, and discussion, so bring paper, pens, or laptops and be prepared to ask plenty of questions. It's appropriate for all prose writers (fiction and non), playwrights, screen writers, and comic writers.