Considerations When Non Minorities Write Books About Minorities

by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.

When we discussed premise vs plot, this led to an interesting comment from a Good Story Learning member, who was interested in the scenario where non minorities write books about minorities, effectively stepping into a life experience that isn't their own.

Unpacking The Issues When Non Minorities Write Books About Minorities

This has been a hot button issue in the publishing industry, especially in the last few years, and creates a lot of high emotion. The topic of portraying any lived experience that isn’t your own—a white writer stepping into the shoes of a Black character, for example—should be treated with respect. The objective should be to do justice to that experience. This provoked the larger question: Do writers have the “right” to explore issues in fiction that they are not living themselves? More specifically, can non minorities write books about minorities?

My perspective is that while non-minority writers should should certainly exercise caution, when non minorities write books about minorities, they should also be given the opportunity to pursue these stories—but carefully. (Often, social issues books are called “issue books” and refer to novels dealing with heavier topics, such as drugs, abuse, sexual orientation, death in the family, abortion, or crime. Many of these stories might involve personal experiences that are very different from the author's.)

Can Non Minorities Write Books About Minorities?

I take issue with the idea that only those who lived through something can write about it. Certainly, stories like memoirs should be written about life experience by those who lived through it. And yes, some books dealing with serious issues can be more impactful when written by those who have experienced them.

For instance, Ellen Hopkins's Crank, which was inspired by family experiences, was much more powerful because of her first-hand account of meth and drug addiction.

I certainly agree that if non minorities write books about minorities, they shouldn’t do so in a way that takes away an opportunity for a minority writer (who has lived the experience) to tell that same story. No amount of research can replace lived experience, nor should it. It’s a huge positive that writers of all backgrounds are finally getting a seat at the table in the majority-white publishing industry.

However, if we were to limit authors to only write from the perspective of their gender or sexuality, or if we only allowed those impacted by social justice issues to write about their experiences, then writers would be bound by strict rules on what they could write about. Their books would only be populated by characters of their exact demographic profile, and this wouldn’t reflect the real world that we live in.

Of course, this is an exaggeration—however, it’s worth thinking about. Non minorities write books about minorities every day, and those books are published, even though the market is changing toward prioritizing books written from lived experience.

If you choose to go down this road, ask yourself some questions: If you’re writing outside your lived experience, are you being respectful? Are you accurately reflecting the world around you and that experience, in particular? Or are you appropriating stories that aren’t yours to tell?

If you don’t match the demographic profile of your protagonist, at least in this market, prepare to hear about it from agents, editors, and later, readers. When non minorities write books about minorities, this is a very inflammatory issue.

Writing Should Begin With Character, Especially When Non Minorities Write Books about Minorities

When it comes to writing an issue book, I believe it should start with the character and their story. Remember that all character reactions to their experiences will be different. There's not a single approach to writing about issues such as rape, meth addiction, or being queer. Writing should begin with the character's story and perspective on their lives.

It’s easy to forget, when reading fiction, that all the issues presented are rooted in fact. To make sure your characters’ experiences are realistic, you have to put in the work to understand them by doing research. This is especially true when non minorities write books about minorities.

Research Your Ideas

If you’re writing a character who was adopted, seek out people with a wide range of adoption experiences. Reach out to those who were adopted as babies, those who grew up knowing they were adopted, and those adopted as teenagers. Talk to those raised in open and closed adoptions—and their birth parents too.

Speak to pregnancy counselors and medical professionals who often counsel/treat pregnant teens who are facing adoption decisions. Yes, it is a lot of work, but how else will you be able to capture the nuances of this issue, creating characters that readers can connect with?

Do your due diligence on every topic you choose to write about. When non minorities write books about minorities, this is even more critical. If you care about a matter and want readers who have been through it to take your work seriously (which they will), you must put some effort into researching it. You may come up with original ideas that are perfect for the story, but you may also find something in your research that can improve the book, adding essential details or even changing a scene entirely.

While having a creative imagination is undeniably important, knowing your limits is just as essential. This is especially true for any subject matter you wish to write about. A great writer has the capacity to take on any topic and, by harnessing their creativity with a substantial research process, create an outstanding piece of writing that holds up to scrutiny.

Authenticity Matters When Non Minorities Write Books About Minorities

One reader joined the discussion and said this:

This prompted me to think about my own experiences with contentious matters like being gay, having a sibling who was an alcoholic, and dealing with suicide in the family. I’ve never been concerned when others write about such topics without any direct knowledge of them. But, lack of authenticity always jumps out to me. That’s why I’ve stayed away from writing from a male perspective, of a different race, or of addiction.

I’m wondering just how often writers tackle uncomfortable topics—like when non minorities write books about minorities—without having personal experience and how often they do it well. If you decide to take this approach, make sure you are well-informed and ready to defend your choices, especially if you don’t share a demographic profile with your world or characters.

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