Writing the Other | Online Writing Classes and Workshops

Representation is fundamental to writing great fiction. Creating characters that reflect the diversity of the world we live in is important for all writers and creators of fictional narratives. But writers often find it difficult to represent people whose gender, sexual orientation, racial heritage, or other aspect of identity is very different from their own. This can lead to fear of getting it wrong–horribly, offensively wrong–and, in the face of that, some think it’s better not to try.

The hard truth is this: Representation and Diversity are too important to ignore.

It IS possible to write characters who represent the “Other” sensitively and convincingly. Through our classes, workshops, and seminars and the resources available on this site and elsewhere creators can get a solid foundation in how to craft characters from any background, no matter how different they are from you.

Open for Registration

Diverse Narrative Structure with Henry Lien

May 15, 2022May 9, 2022WtO Admin

In this course author Henry Lien will demonstrate that elements that we consider staples of European/Western storytelling–such as the three-act story structure, the empowerment arc, and individual heroism–are not universal across all cultures. [...]

The Heroine’s Journey – The Other Ancient Story Structure

May 10, 2022May 4, 2022

Deep Dive Intensive: Description and Language

April 1, 2022April 8, 2022

Available Any Time: On-Demand Webinars

On Demand Webinar: Cultural Appropriation – What It Is & How To Avoid It

November 16, 2021Writing the Other

Most writers want to avoid Cultural Appropriation but worry that they don’t fully understand what it is or how to ensure their work does not include it. In this On Demand webinar, we’ll give you the resources you need. [...]

On Demand: Writing Fat Characters | Master Class

November 14, 2021November 15, 2021

On Demand: Should Authors Write Characters Different From Themselves?

November 13, 2021November 15, 2021

Writing Blind and Deaf characters header

On Demand: Writing Deaf and Blind Characters | Master Class

January 21, 2019November 4, 2021

News & Events

Holiday Sale: 15% Off Gift Cards and On Demand Classes

November 25, 2021November 16, 2021Writing the Other

To celebrate the holiday season, the end of 2021, the announcement of our 2022 class schedule, our new on demand videos, and still being alive in These Times, we’re having a sale! [...]

Announcing New On Demand Webinars

November 18, 2021November 18, 2021Writing the Other

Writing the Other has always sought ways to offer affordable options for learning. In addition to our core classes expanding on the concepts found in Writing the Other: a Practical Approach, we are also pleased to present a new and expanded selection of affordable On Demand Writing Classes. [...]

Announcing our 2022 Writing The Other Class Schedule

November 11, 2021November 18, 2021Writing the Other

Our 2022 Class Schedule includes twelve writing classes, seminars, and workshops featuring established and new instructors. [...]

Resources

Writing the Other on Writing Excuses – Crafting Chinese-American Characters

March 1, 2021February 17, 2021Writing the Other

Yang Yang Wang joins Tempest, Piper J. Drake, and Dan Wells for a discussion of language, food, and a whole raft of other cultural elements critical to crafting Chinese-American characters. [...]

K. Tempest Bradford and Sheree Renée Thomas on the Glitchy Pancakes Podcast

February 27, 2021February 18, 2021Writing the Other

K. Tempest Bradford and Sheree Renée Thomas do a deep dive into Own Voices fiction, why it’s so important, and how it fits in with Writing the Other. [...]

Writing the Other on Writing Excuses – Researching for Writing the Other

February 24, 2021February 17, 2021Writing the Other

Nisi Shawl and Silvia Moreno-Garcia join Tempest, Piper J. Drake, and Dan Wells to talk about how writing stories which feature people who are not like you is, in a word, difficult. [...]

What our students say about us

This class was eye-opening and world building for me as a writer. The content was amazing, the guest speakers impressive, and the exercises broadened my thinking. If you want to build worlds in your writing (and after the class I would argue that worlds get built in all fiction) you need to take this class. It will give you the knowledge, courage and community to take risks, to be inclusive in ways you’d not yet thought of, and to change the world by building a better one.

― Michelle, a Building Inclusive Worlds student

Going into the workshop I had a particular story I was burning to learn how to tell without being inappropriate. I was terrified I was writing it (and anything else involving characters of color) like an out-of-touch white dork. Ms. Shawl and Ms. Bradford were compassionate and emotionally generous while being very straightforward. Their class both eased my mind and made me realize how clueless I’ve been; it has started me on a lifetime learning project that can do nothing but make me a better writer.

― Ellen Saunders, a Weekend Intensive student

The workshop was one of the highlights of the Potlatch science fiction convention last February. It’s a Don’t Miss.

― Christie Maurer on the Classic Seminar

Many writers live in fear of making offensive mistakes. This workshop is crucial for understanding how that fear can lead to marginalization or elimination of characters that challenge the status quo. And it’s fun, too.

― A Seattle student on the Classic Seminar