My draft plan to create rich characters of all shapes, sizes, colors, and orientations.

• My new series will feature a diverse community.
• I will read cozies and other books by black and other POC writers (any suggestions?)
• I will find beta readers who will make sure I’m not using stereotypes.
• I will stealthily slip in issues that will hopefully make my readers think, especially about issues around race, LBGTQ, and disabilities.
• I will support all my fellow writers, and do my best to make sure diverse voices are heard.
• I will write and market fun, escapist novels so that I can make lots of money to support causes that I care about.

Please note – this is not about being “Politically Correct.”

I have included hispanic, asian, gay, etc., characters in my Bridal Shop Mysteries, but black characters have played only bit parts. I thought I wasn’t the right person to write these characters, but I now realize it was laziness. It takes a lot of work to get characters right, and if you don’t have day to day experience with a culture, you’re going to get it wrong unless you do the work.