S11E4 - LGBT: Writing Quality Representation of the LGBTQ+ Community

There are all kinds of four-letter words people consider to be bad. In writing, those four-letter words aren't the traditional ones most people think about when they hear the phrase. The four-letter words of writing are the difficult topics to consider, write about, or simply just to do. None of the words are bad, but can be frightening for new authors or authors unfamiliar with certain topics. They are all something that needs to be addressed, at least, and decisions made on how to use them to the author's advantage. Through June, this podcast will be breaking down those difficult words, such as edit, time, LGBT, and best.

Pride Month is the perfect time to address one of the most complicated and oft avoided topics in writing. Many new authors who aren't part of the LGBTQ+ community find themselves avoiding those characters for fear of misrepresenting the community. That leads to a lack of diversity among the characters. No author, however, should shy away from striving for good representation. It simply means research. This episode addresses many concerns authors may have about having an LGBTQ+ character and how to make sure the representation is accurate and realistic.

First aired June 11, 2020. An extended version of this episode will be published Saturday, June 13.