February 10, 2023

DDW - S3 Ep8 - Writing Non-binary Characters

1 hour 30 minutes

In this episode of Doing Diversity in Writing, Bethany and Mariëlle discuss the dos and don’ts of writing non-binary characters.

Here’s what we talk about:

What non-binary means

How diverse the non-binary community is

How to handle characters who are questioning their gender identity

Pronouns and how to use them in our writing

Naming characters beyond the binary

And here are the (re)sources we mentioned on the show:

“Tweens and teens explore the power of pronouns” by Matt Vilano: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/19/health/pronouns-guide-for-parents-wellness/

“How to Create Nonbinary Characters” by Jules: https://allwritealright.com/how-to-create-nonbinary-characters/

“Six tips for writing genderqueer and nonbinary characters” by Eris Young: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/articles/6-tips-for-writing-genderqueer-and-nonbinary-characters

“How to Write Non-binary Characters: a three part guide” by D.N. Bryn: https://brynwrites.tumblr.com/post/190062852159/how-to-write-non-binary-characters-a-three-part

“How to Write Non-binary Characters: Part II” by D.N. Bryn: https://brynwrites.tumblr.com/post/190062852159/how-to-write-non-binary-characters-a-three-part

“How to Write Non-binary characters: Part III” by D.N. Bryn: https://www.dnbryn.com/2020/01/18/how-to-write-non-binary-characters-part-iii/

“List of nonbinary identities”: https://nonbinary.miraheze.org/wiki/List_of_nonbinary_identities

“List of uncommon nonbinary identities”: https://nonbinary.miraheze.org/wiki/List_of_uncommon_nonbinary_identities

The Love Language series by Reese Morrison: https://www.goodreads.com/series/288294-love-language

The Adelaide series by Mustang Rabbit, one of Bethany’s pen names: https://www.goodreads.com/series/301418-the-adelaide-series

Onesies and Ouijaboards by Jamie Sands: https://www.witchyfiction.com/books/onesies-and-ouijaboards

Sex Education: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7767422

Supernatural: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460681

Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen by Robert McKee: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27416067-dialogue

This week’s episode page can be found here: https://representationmatters.art/2023/02/10/s3e8

For those who want to stay in touch, this is where you can find us:

Bethany:

Website: https://theartandscienceofwords.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076459593900

Goodreads (Bethany A. Tucker): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20948950.Bethany_A_Tucker

Goodreads (as Mustang Rabbit): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20130552.Mustang_Rabbit

Goodreads (as Ciara Darren): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8186590.Ciara_Darren

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theartandscienceofwords

Mariëlle:

Website: https://mswordsmith.nl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mswordsmith

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18455235.Mari_lle_S_Smith

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariellessmith

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariellessmith

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYOpjmj83mvMM2L348F1w

Diving into Writing podcast: https://divingintowriting.com/

Subscribe to our newsletter here and get out Doing Diversity in Writing Toolkit, including our Calm the F*ck Down Checklist and Cultural Appropriation Checklist: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r3p6g8

Website: https://representationmatters.art

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doingdiversityinwriting

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtHfIaeylIgbAWVy3E66lmw

...more

View all episodes

By Bethany A. Tucker & Mariëlle S. Smith

11 ratings