Representation shouldn’t ever feel like a game of identity bingo, where you feel as a writer that you must include every single type of diverse person in every single scene of your novel to avoid being canceled. But diverse people under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella do exist in all walks of life, and therefore they should exist in fictional worlds too because we all want to see ourselves as present in the world of fiction just as we are in the real world. So let's talk about creating inclusive fiction that doesn't make your rainbow readers cringe harder than watching their grandparents try to get people’s pronouns right, covering a few essential areas to think about.

Character Development

Think of your LGBTQIA+ characters like a perfectly layered cake - their identity is an essential ingredient to who they are, but it's not the only flavor that makes them delicious. Just like your straight characters aren't walking billboards for heterosexuality, your queer characters should be living, breathing people who also happen to be LGBTQIA+. Mix in their hopes, dreams, and that weird obsession with collecting vintage rubber ducks - whatever makes them uniquely them. After all, we're all just human beings trying to figure out life, whether that life is part of an everyday drama or an epic fantasy adventure.

Avoiding Tokenism

If your story's LGBTQIA+ representation consists of one sassy gay best friend who dispenses fashion advice and disappears, it's time for a rewrite. That's about as current as using a flip phone to update your MySpace status. For the best shot at avoiding the token queer stereotypes, populate your world with a few LGBTQIA+ characters who are as diverse as a pack of Skittles - each with their own flavors, colors, and ways of making the story more vibrant.

Research and Authenticity

If you want to include diverse characters, but you are not part of the LGBTQIA+ community, then your best bet is to do your homework like your story depends on it, because it does. Dive into the community deeper than a teenager's Tumblr archive. Read memoirs, follow LGBTQIA+ creators, and remember that Twitter threads, while entertaining, shouldn't be your only source of research. Wikipedia is a starting point, not your final destination, and hearing people talk about their lives, in their own words, from their own perspective in interviews, TED talks, and video diaries is always the most authentic way to go. The LGBTQIA+ experience is as varied as pizza toppings - and just as hotly debated - so do ensure you’re offering a good menu for your readers to enjoy.

Gathering Feedback

Find sensitivity readers who can tell you when you've accidentally written the literary equivalent of putting pineapple on pizza (no judgment of pineapple lovers, but you know it's controversial). These wonderful humans will help you avoid turning your well-intentioned story into an episode of "What Not to Write." There are plenty of writing groups focused on diverse representation that you could join online - think of them as your personal GPS for navigating the sometimes-tricky waters of inclusive fiction, and be open and courteous when they offer their feedback.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

To get you started on that “what not a write” list, these are the "reply all" buttons of LGBTQIA+ fiction to avoid at all costs:

1. Making coming out the only story you tell (there's life after the closet, folks)

2. Using stereotypes more dated than your grandma's Facebook memes (anything that’s been repeated to death in the media in the last 40 years needs a serious update)

3. Treating LGBTQIA+ identity like an M. Night Shyamalan plot twist (a lot more people than you think are part of the rainbow community, so let it be a natural discovery when it’s not plot-relevant)

4. The "bury your gays" trope (seriously, let them live their best lives, not every queer story has to be tragic)

5. Writing queer relationships like they're soap operas on steroids (because let’s face it, all sorts of people can be dramatic when it comes to love!)

Beyond Representation

Consider your story's world like a complex ecosystem. Whether you're writing about modern-day Milwaukee or a planet where purple space dragons rule supreme, think about how society treats LGBTQIA+ folks. Just remember: even in the darkest dystopia, there's room for joy, love, and the occasional space dragon that’s just a little more fabulous than the others. The goal isn't just to tick boxes, it's to create stories where readers can see aspects of themselves and think, "Finally, someone gets it!" You don’t have to write a whole queer story to make the modern queer reader happy: you just have to write with acknowledgment, good research, and joyful intent.