polyglotplatypus:

well, first off, thanks for your compliments. i think the basis for writing diverse characters is rarely to “make” them something. try to create characters as complete beings from the start, and try to avoid “adding diversity” to a bland character, just make a new one. another important thing if you’re afraid to do something wrong is either to 1. stick to what you know or 2. research stuff, so you know what you’re doing. and about pandering, honestly, i’ve never created any characters to pander to anyone else but myself. i create what i want to see in media.

all of this culminates into what i did with my previous characters: my mother grew up in morocco and i’ve spent quite some time there, so it felt natural for me to create kieren as he is. i’ve struggled with gender, so it felt normal for me that some of my characters do to. same goes for orientation, the gay comes from me as well. basically, familiarize yourself with what you write, or make the writing familiar with who you are.