Writing an Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for Creative Writers

by Alex Temblador

Do you have the tools to authentically write and edit a character whose identity is different than your own? It’s not a subject that’s generally taught in creative writing programs. There are few online resources, but in terms of craft books, what exists is outdated or limited in its scope. Some seminars and classes are offered by independent writing workshops, but can you learn everything you need to know in a three-hour seminar or even a four-week class? Not at all. You need a book on hand to provide guidance and insight as you craft characters with historically marginalized identities. That’s where this book comes in.

In Writing an Identity Not Your Own , award-winning author Alex Temblador will discuss one of the most contentious topics in creative crafting a character whose identity is historically marginalized. She’ll begin by discussing what she means by ‘identity’ and why it’s important to understand the state of diversity in publishing, before delving into how unconscious bias and bias blocks are the biggest obstacles to this writing approach. From there, you’ll learn about intersectional identities and specific things to consider when writing different race/ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, disabilities, nationalities, and more. Alex will guide writers through the pre-writing phase to the editing process so they can gain a full understanding of the complexities of writing other identities and why it’s important to get it right.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Adult, Crafts, Feminism, Disability, LGBT

384 pages, Paperback

Published August 13, 2024

About the author

Alex Temblador is the Mixed Latine author of the award-winning novels, Secrets of the Casa Rosada and Half Outlaw. Her third book, Writing an Identity Not Your Own, is a nonfiction writing craft book.

Alex's debut YA novel, Secrets of the Casa Rosada, has won such awards like the Middle Grade/ Young Adult Discovery Prize Winner of the 2018 Writers' League of Texas Book Awards, Kirkus' Best of YA Books of 2018, the NACCS Tejas Foco Young Adult Award 2019, the Texas Library Association's TAYSHA's Nomination, and received a Starred Kirkus Review. Half Outlaw, an adult fiction novel, received a Bronze Medal for the Rudolfo Anaya Best Latino Focused Fiction Book in the 2023 International Latino Book Awards.

Her creative writing has appeared in anthologies like Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America and Speculative Fiction for Dreamers: A Latinx Anthology, as well as literary journals like Colorado Review, PALABRITAS, D Magazine, Cigale Literary Magazine, and Scissortale Review. Alex received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Alex is the founder and moderator of LitTalk at Whose Books, a quarterly panel series for DFW authors. In her career as an author, Alex has conducted a wide array of presentations for the likes of Macmillan Publishers, Abydos Learning Conference, TLA Annual Conference, Texas Teen Book Festival, and universities like Southern Methodist University, University of Houston, University of Louisiana at Monroe, LaGaurdia CC, etc.

When she's not working on her next novel, Alex is a full-time freelance travel, arts, culture, and design writer and teaches the occasional seminar on creative writing.

Alex is Texas-based woman who loves literary fiction with a multicultural or diversity aspect and prefers to write about family dynamics, race, ethnicity, and identity, especially in the style of magical realism.

You can find more information about her work at AlexTemblador.com.

Reviews

[Scottsdale Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resources for writers aren't always easy to find, and learning how to properly create characters with different backgrounds than yours is one of the challenges writers will face for as long as they're putting pen to paper (or typing away). This author does a wonderful job of opening with the importance of understanding everyone has biases, but with lots of time and dedication, they can seek to overcome them in their manuscripts, creating characters full of depth and diverse identities. At the end of the book is a breakdown of stereotypes for lots of groups of people. As a writer who never wants to offend, or portray a group incorrectly, it was helpful to read through this section, and make sure none of my fictional characters were perpetuating harmful stereotypes. This book has many example worksheets for character development, with personal commentary from the author's experiences writing, and snippets of good and bad examples for popular literature. It's a great starting point for any author writing any genre (your fantasy characters have genders and heritage that define them too!), to help make your book intentional and thoughtful! - Megan K.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Award-winning author Alex Temblador fearlessly tackles the elephant in the writing room – how to authentically portray characters with identities different from our own. From dissecting the meaning of 'identity' to navigating the minefields of unconscious bias, Temblador guides aspiring writers through the process of crafting characters of diverse backgrounds. The book explores intersectional identities, delving into considerations for race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disabilities, nationalities, and more. Whether you're in the pre-writing phase or knee-deep in editing, this guide promises to be your compass through the uncharted territories of diverse storytelling.


🌈 Pros:
✨ Four stars for the helpful information! The book stands out as an invaluable resource, offering insightful guidance on writing and editing characters with authenticity and respect. Aspiring writers will find it not only informative but also a source of enlightenment.

🎓 The education extends beyond the craft of writing, offering a nuanced understanding of the state of diversity in publishing. It's not just about crafting characters; it's about understanding the societal landscape in which these characters exist.

📚 Cons:
🤯 Brace yourself! This book may induce a few literary identity crises. As you frantically revise your novel-in-progress, questioning every creative choice (which is *definitely* not me right now), remember: growth often comes with a side of existential dread.


🌟 In conclusion, "Writing an Identity Not Your Own" stands tall as a beacon for writers navigating the choppy seas of identity representation. Temblador's wit and wisdom make this educational journey an engaging and eye-opening experience. As you embark on this rollercoaster of self-reflection and creative exploration, remember: a little existential crisis is a small price to pay for writing that transcends boundaries. 🚀📖

Disclaimer: A colossal thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for entrusting me with this ARC. The opinions expressed here are as unpredictable as a writer's plot twists – wild, varied, and subject to change. 📚🎭

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides a lot of helpful food for thought. There really isn't a writer out there who couldn't benefit from this information.

[Mis_Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a FANTASTIC book to help writers improve their writing craft, teaching writers how to better understand the harm of writing characters unlike themselves from their POV is not only harmful but will end in backlash from people who KNOW you don’t know anything about what you’re writing. It’s about accountability, and treating characters with the respect you would show the very people they represent.

I really enjoyed this read and believe it should be taught in classes and workshops if people need help getting out of their limited perspective. It puts into words just how limited our view of life is until someone else’s life and experiences affects our own.

Fantastic read.

[Jenna Deaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing an Identity Not your own by Alex Temblador is a well written answer to a widely felt dilemma. Now more than ever we as a reading culture are craving diversely written fiction and this book will surely become an indispensable tool in creating those stories. Written in an easy to understand manner this work provides insight both into how to write other identities well but also into some pitfalls and stereotypical writing issues an author may encounter.
Writers and writing craft enthusiasts alike will find great use in picking this one up off the store shelves.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 this was a rlly well written well researched book. if you’ve read kuang’s yellowface it’s sorta like the non fiction version of tht. i liked all of the detail but i didn’t realize it was a writing guide lol. nonetheless, it was interesting to learn about all the possible perceptions and biases in our world from literature to film to the legal system, to just existing, so much affects the perception of ourselves and others. so much makes up an individual (like duh but this book rlly dove into tht)

[Gem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I typically don’t read much nonfiction, but when I saw Writing an Identity Not Your Own as an ARC in NetGalley, I was intrigued. Anyone who personally knows me is aware I believe representation is important, and should be represented authentically. I had high hopes, and this book delivered.

Writing an Identity Not Your Own is an AMAZING resource for every person– while this focuses on authors/writers, I think anyone can read this and learn something new.

Something about nonfiction that has always bothered me was how dry the genre can be (at least to me), but this book reads like a story and isn’t dry at all– I was happily surprised. The book is broken into sections and the information is given in small chunks, which makes it very manageable to read.

Alex Temblador (the author) touches on so many important topics, and does it well. She makes you aware of stereotypes, tropes, gives you examples, exercises, suggestions, and so much more.

I want to stress that EVERY writer should read this– we all have biases and stereotypes in our heads that society has fed us, and this does a good job of helping you realize that.

Writing an Identity Not Your Own by Alex Temblador comes out on August 13th!

And thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of the book!

[Jessica M · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly important book! I'm so grateful to Temblador for writing this. As an author, it's important to me to include people different than myself in my books, to try to fully represent the world around us, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because I want my friends who are all unique individuals and many of whom are very different than me, to see themselves in my books and others' books as well. I also like that this book discusses issues of misrepresentation, appropriation, and stereotypes (per the back cover copy). I never try to write a main character who is an identity other than my own, but in. my real life, I am surrounded by all sorts of people, all colors, all genders and sexual orientations--I think it's so important to reflect reality in my books, but I want to do so in a respectful way that doesn't merely reflect stereotypes. While this is a constant practice, learning every day, I feel as though this book is an excellent guide book, a great start.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an Advanced Reader Copy - pub date 8/13/2024. This book was a TOUGH read and sometimes more than a little uncomfortable and that is why it is so very important. Not only is it very clearly a non-fiction writing craft book which, by its nature, means it will be a thought-provoking read but it specifically focuses on a topic of increasing importance - how to go about respectfully and responsibly writing characters who do not share the author's identity. Temblador starts off with a forthright reason for the book's birth as well as presenting her qualifications to write it. Refreshingly, though, she also brings up her hesitations and self-doubt about writing it. After all, no one can be perfectly sensitive and knowledgeable. That is your very first lesson from this book: We all have blocks and biases, known or unknown, conscious or not. This is just a fact and the sooner you accept it, the sooner you can start examining them and making sure they are not negatively impacting your ability to write characters of other identities in a respectful, balanced way.

By breaking the thought process and practice down into three sections, Temblador sets up a logical flow to follow. Before You Write - If you're already researching a setting or a job or anything else that you don't know, it just makes sense to research any differing identities you will be writing. Examine your biases, become aware of stereotypes, contact appropriate people or search for appropriate resources. Everyone is important and deserves respect. This goes for "fictional" people as well. As You Write - Be alert and be aware and be vigilant. More importantly, acknowledge that you are not perfect and do as well as you can as you write, knowing full well that you might have a lot of extra work to do in the editing phase. Speaking of - Editing Identities Other Than Your Own - Do not count on an editor or a publishing house catching your mistakes about writing identities. They come with their own biases plus they have limits on time and knowledge. There is a reason to treasure beta readers and sensitivity readers. Be open to being corrected.

Like I said, it is a tough book and it probably will give an author-reader uncomfortable feelings in their gut. You start to wonder if you have written something that rings wrong, that made a person of marginalized identity uncomfortable. This is actually good. We can't be better if we don't realize we're not better. Believe me, I squirmed plenty while reading and paused and thought back to some of my own old writing and cringed a bit. Hurts but, like the song, it hurts so good because we can grow and build on that. Let's be better writers. Let's do better. Go, team!

[alexander shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a topic on my mind for years, with no real answers provided to date. I have always been torn between wanting to include various identities in my writing to reflect the diversity present in the real world, but not wanting write those identities incorrectly, but also not wanting to engage in what Temblador calls 'trauma porn' in the sense of focusing on the negative experiences groups of people have because they belong to those groups. And yet, ignoring that reality in my writing also felt disingenuous, like I would be pretending it never happened. The reality is there is no clear answer, but this book helps clear away some of the confusion at least. It looks at race, ethnicity, gender, queer identities, and disabilities for people who want to include characters with any of those aspects that are different from themselves. And it also looks at sexism and ableism etc in terms of the phrases we use (like 'are you blind?' being an ableist statement when used between two non-blind people) and the stereotypes and tropes that are commonly portrayed in writing about these groups. It's a good 'first sensitivity reader' in that you can edit your own work to ensure it doesn't include any of the things Temblador says to avoid, and then give it to beta and sensitivity readers to make sure you didn't miss anything else.

[Fireplace.Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a writer, though I went to school for creative writing, I enjoy editing and critiquing far more than writing stories. I really enjoyed reading this book and plan to integrate some of the book lists and additional articles into my dual-credit literature course I teach. This is a concept my class discusses a lot. This guide was very eye opening and informative. I really enjoyed the tropes and stereotypes it opened my eyes to some of the cliche sayings that I use and how those can be harmful. This book isn’t just for writers I think it is beneficial to readers as well. We, as readers, have to help keep writers honest, in a kind way, about their writing of other identities. Pick this one up when I comes out!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an aspiring author I LOVED this book. I’m currently trying to write a book of my own and constantly get stuck on the little details. Especially details surrounding the characters of my story. I found this to be a very helpful guide to help aid me in my writing journey. Absolute must read for any writers out there.

[LaCricia A'ngelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing an Identity Not Your Own is a much needed, eye opening resource. As a writer I learned so much from this book. Things I had not previously considered in my own writing. I highly recommend this book to writers of every type. Adherence to the advice and tools found in this book will save writers from heartache and possible legal woes in the future. This is definitely a book I will be adding to my library.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book.

[TJ Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to be honest here. This book was easily one of the most painful and trying audiobooks on craft I’ve ever listened to. No, it had nothing to do with the narrator. It had everything to do with the number of hard pills I had to swallow that Alex delivered. As a middle-aged, straight, white male, reading this book was like cleaning out a wound so it can heal. And the wound goes DEEP.

The section on unconscious bias left me feeling dejected, as there were terms and phrases I’ve used in common conversation that are problematic. There were more than a few times in this book that I had to pause and replay the audio to digest what was just said.

Note, I won’t tell you this book is as inspirational as something like Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing, but this book is likely more important for writers today than Bradbury’s succinct and passionate guide. There is a lot to unpack, so it will be a book I will revisit again soon, but I’ll need some time for it to sink in a bit deeper.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Representation is so important, and I found this title to be a very well written, thoughtful guide and I greatly appreciated the opportunity to read this and learn.

I feel that this could prove an invaluable resource for writers and highly recommend.



Thank you to St. Martin’s Essentials and NetGalley for the DRC

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have to share a culture with someone when you're creating a fictional character? Even if you do share a culture, you can fall into the trap of misrepresenting or stereotyping your character.
This book offers advice on how to deal respectfully with different characters. The most helpful part for me was the list of tropes at the back, which just went on and on, because it's true, there are so many tropes. If we become aware, we can do better when we write.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, this is the single most important book that EVERY writer should purchase. Not only does Alex do a deep dive into all the aspects of writing characters that you do not identify with, she also gives an inside look as to what is happening in the publishing world. I found myself hanging on to every word as she described (with wit and intelligence) the ins and outs of inherent biases that we all carry.

I also loved that she owns we are all flawed but that we must, as writers, do the research and seek answers because it is our responsibility to do so. I will admit that I am now questioning my own work in progress and wondering how the hell I'm going to ensure the communities I am writing about are a correct representation of them - I'll likely be adding even more sensitivity readers to my list!

Also, I've already pre-ordered this book for all of my writer friends - it's that good and that important!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing an Identity Not Your Own, is an informative book to help writers connect with the characters they create.

In this day and age it’s important when representing diversity, to write with care and knowledge.

This book will help in the beginning stages as you pre-write and start to connect with characters and the direction of your book.

You’ll learn about writing different race/ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, disabilities, nationalities, and more.

This process will help writers gain an understanding in writing other identities and how we need to give these characters the justice they deserve.

While this book was informative, at times could be difficult to understand or follow. However, I do recommend to all writers especially now more than ever.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

[Anniee Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the gifted copy. This book was educational. A tool that can be used on a day-to-day basis during your writing journey.

[S.S. Jung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing an Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for. Creative Writers by Alex Temblador

Now, If there are two sides to every story the truth must be in the middle. One side has diversity, and inclusion busting out the door. Diversity, Equity and inclusion are everywhere, let’s keep it that way too!

What are the benefits of all this—empathy, societal well-being, innovation, political representation, and money too! It certainly has been noticed in the scores of entertainment output: TV shows, Movies, Series and Novels. Historically excluded communities are being increasingly depicted. Because of that, they are seeing themselves in inclusive stories validating their identities and experiences. Sounds great, so what’s the problem?

We we have issues. From reading her book Writing an Identity Not Your Own, The lack of diversity, guidelines, and pre-writing complexities among authors, can results in ham-handed stories riddled with stereotypes, inaccuracies, pandering, biases and generalizations. Particularly among white authors. All of these can/will and do legitimatize hostility toward those groups. The exact opposite of what these authors are trying to do.

Of course, one of the most recent publicized examples is American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. Paid an advance of seven figures for the book at auction. The publisher printed 500,000 copies prior to it’s release. It was positively review twice by the The New York Times prior to publication. The book is about a Mexican bookseller who is forced to flee as an illegal immigrant to the United States, along with her son, after her journalist husband, publishes an expose on a local cartel boss. The family is slaughtered; Lydia and her 8-year-old son Luca are the sole survivors in the attack, and they must flee Mexico. A moving and exciting story to say the least!


Then the curtains dropped. “A non-Mexican author wrote a book about Mexican migrants. Critics are calling it trauma porn.” https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/1/22...

Enter Myriam Gurba a writer, podcaster and artist who lives in Long Beach, California. Hired to a review of the book for MS. Magazine she lambasted the novel and the magazine refused to publish it. Her review: https://tropicsofmeta.com/2019/12/12/...

Hey it happens, bad reviews— sales were still strong. But it didn’t stop there, it was followed with more bad reviews, and reviewers, some from the NYT, asked to remove their reviews in solidarity. Excerpt from Myiam Gurba’s review, “Unfortunately, Jeanine Cummins narco-novel, American Dirt, is a literary licuado that tastes like its title. Cummins plops overly-ripe Mexican stereotypes, among them the Latin lover, the suffering mother, and the stoic manchild, into her wannabe realist prose. Toxic heteroromanticism gives the sludge an arc and because the white gaze taints her prose, Cummins positions the United States of America as a magnetic sanctuary, a beacon toward which the story’s chronology chugs.”

Some poor marketing events did not help.


Soon after, Alex Temblador was asked to do a seminar on on “writing identities other than your own” primarily for US authors. Followed by this book, where you’ll learn about intersectional identities and specific things to consider when writing different race/ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, disabilities, nationalities, and more.. Chapter 11 addresses how to make the editing process as easy as possible. "I’ve broken down the different identities into sections—race/ethnicity, gender identity, disabilities, sexual and romantic orientations, and a final section of “other identities.” Feel free to read this chapter before you start your next creative writing piece, as it can inform you on the stereotypes, tropes, and terms not to use."

https://i.imgur.com/nSVwYBS.jpg

For those, and I hope it’s all of us, who want to reject, hate and hostility this book is for all of us. Finally— Please get out and vote like our futures depend on it.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for an advance copy of this guide to to writing which helps creative writers learn how to approach characters from different backgrounds and experiences and portray them on paper as well as other characters should be treated.
I've worked in publishing over half of my life now. Retail, editing, researching and working on magazines, and as a writer of articles and short stories. I can easily state, without shocking many that the publishing industry has not changed much since the days of Benjamin Franklin setting type. The same people edit, all sharing the same backgrounds, and schooling, with the same ideas about authors, and who should be given the push, and who should be happy to get a small fee. Many of the authors given the push, the magic rub seem much like the editors, or even the companies that now own most publishers. There are smaller publishers, but compared to the big four, the competition is unfair. This goes for the books that are published. Editors love to have hot button books, but the hot buttons are usually written by people whose research is a few conversations with someone they met in school. To write about the many people in the world those not sharing the same color, race, creed, religion, schools, even sports, takes more than most writers are capable of. Which is why many writers stick with who they know. And the readers are made the poorer for this. Alex Temblador has written about the lack of diversity in publishing and has seen the problem of writers writing about what they don't know, and find easy to stereotype. Temblador's book Writing an Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for Creative Writers is both a cultural study of publishing and its problems with people they aren't the same as them, and how writers owe it to their art and others to try and write about the people of the world, with respect and honor.

The book opens with almost an essay dealing with many of the controversies in publishing, especially the issue of the book American Dirt. The writer claimed to be a 1/4 Puerto Rican and wrote a book about the immigrant experience with a bit of a thriller aspect and much in the way of stereotyping, and even possibly plagiarism. The book was of course a huge bestseller, a television book club choice, which is good as the author was given quite a lot for a debut book. Temblador discusses publishers and the problem they have had with both representation, and understanding the fact that writing badly about a race, especially in a bestseller keeps the myths alive of what most people about people who could be called others. Not just in color, sex, but also people who live life with may challenges, that many do not. Temblador gives examples of good and bad writing, along with assignments that ask writers to leave their comfort zone and think and feel. And do research. Do one's best for the work, and let the work reflect that.

Alex Temblador is a heck of a writer with a very good way of writing, and telling her story. There is a lot of personal moments in here, which really bang home the fact that words have actions. Representation matters. People might not want to be Batman, but they want to be someone, and if books lack this, lack any proof that one exists, how does that make one feel. Temblador examples are presented not to judge, or blame, but show that things have changed. What was once acceptable, might not be anymore. The writing assignments are interesting and really make one go, hmm I never thought of that, or I never thought of writing that. A very powerful and important book.

One of the more interesting writing books I have read, for while most books about writing are to help writers, this is more to help readers, by giving writers skills to encompass a broader world of people and experiences. A book that many should read and one that I am sure that a few vocal people will complain about.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Writing an Identity Not Your Own is a considered and accessible monograph aimed at writers which outlines some of the more common pitfalls (and how to avoid/ameliorate them) of writing outside their own lived experiences curated by Alex Temblador. Due out 13th Aug 2024 from Macmillan on their St. Martin's Essentials imprint, it's 384 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Creative writers are conduits through which stories are shaped. Individuals clearly have unique experiences and processes, but there is some common ground. Recently, more emphasis has been placed on respectful representation - especially in cases where the written experiences/culture/identity don't match with the author's own.

This is a meticulously written, accessible, annotated, and considered book. It's a reference, and arranged thus, with examples drawn from extant media across a range of genres and styles. The book proceeds from concept (before you write), examining unconscious bias with a lot of salient points about unintentional problems and how to find and root them out (before they come back to bite you in the backside), actual writing and refining the character (including discrimination and violence), and the editing process including *why* and *how*.

The author/publisher have also included helpful appendices: a comprehensive bibliography and chapter notes which are very thorough and probably worth the price of the book on their own.

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, writing groups and co-ops, and similar. Furthermore, it provides a solid backup for understanding why and how authors choose to represent characters and how to best recognize unconscious bias and (as much as possible) neutralize it. Thus it would be a good resource for book reviewers, editors, educators, and media folks.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for this eARC.

“Writing an Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for Creative Writers” by Alex Temblador is a seminal work that addresses the intricate and often contentious task of creating characters with identities different from the author’s own. Temblador, an award-winning author, delves into the complexities of diversity in publishing with a clear-eyed perspective that is both instructive and enlightening.

The book begins with a foundational discussion on the concept of ‘identity’ and its significance within the literary world. Temblador’s approach is methodical as she unpacks the layers of unconscious bias and the barriers they present to authentic representation. Her guidance is practical, offering writers the tools to navigate the pre-writing and editing phases with a focus on intersectionality and the nuances of various marginalized identities.

What sets this guide apart is its genre-specific advice, providing a tailored approach to writing identities across different literary forms. The inclusion of writing strategies, exercises, and literary excerpts makes the book an interactive experience, encouraging writers to engage deeply with the material.

Temblador’s work is a testament to the importance of getting representation right. It’s not just about avoiding stereotypes and tropes; it’s about enriching the literary landscape with genuine and diverse voices. This book is a must-read for any writer committed to crafting characters with care and respect, ensuring that the stories they tell are both compelling and conscientious.

“Writing an Identity Not Your Own” is a compass for navigating the moral and creative imperatives of contemporary writing. It’s a book that doesn’t just sit on your shelf; it becomes a companion, providing invaluable insights as you breathe life into the characters that populate the pages of your work. With Temblador’s book in hand, writers will find themselves better equipped to write with authenticity and sensitivity, making it an indispensable resource in any writer’s library.

[TatumReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every author, literary agent, editor, and publisher should read this book! Writing An Identity Not Your Own has three sections: Before You Write, As You Write, and Editing Identities Other Than Your Own. The book covers topics of identity about Race and Ethnicity, Gender Identity, Sexual and Romantic Orientation, Disabilities, Age/Generation, Religious Beliefs, Immigration, and Body Type. Temblador defines stereotypes and tropes giving examples of each for all identities covered in the book.

As a writer, this book will teach you a lot about the importance of being careful as you write, not just about writing other identities. The book gives exercises to help you understand your biases, help you edit out any outdated language that should no longer be used in writing, and teach you how to critique others' work on these topics.

The book was thorough and easy to read. The exercises were helpful and straightforward. I will be keeping this book on hand while writing in the future to reread and keep learning. The author also included additional resources on where to find more information about identities other than your own and talks about how important it is to research as much as possible to get the most honest portrayal of these identities you may want to write about. While informative the book felt a little repetitive at times, which was distracting but otherwise a great read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Writing an Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for Creative Writers by Alex Temblador. All opinions are my own.

[Tatum Hamernik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every author, literary agent, editor, and publisher should read this book! Writing An Identity Not Your Own has three sections: Before You Write, As You Write, and Editing Identities Other Than Your Own. The book covers topics of identity about Race and Ethnicity, Gender Identity, Sexual and Romantic Orientation, Disabilities, Age/Generation, Religious Beliefs, Immigration, and Body Type. Temblador defines stereotypes and tropes giving examples of each for all identities covered in the book.

As a writer, this book will teach you a lot about the importance of being careful as you write, not just about writing other identities. The book gives exercises to help you understand your biases, help you edit out any outdated language that should no longer be used in writing, and teach you how to critique others' work on these topics.

The book was thorough and easy to read. The exercises were helpful and straightforward. I will be keeping this book on hand while writing in the future to reread and keep learning. The author also included additional resources on where to find more information about identities other than your own and talks about how important it is to research as much as possible to get the most honest portrayal of these identities you may want to write about. While informative the book felt a little repetitive at times, which was distracting but otherwise a great read.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Writing an Identity Not Your Own: A Guide for Creative Writers by Alex Temblador. All opinions are my own.

[Belinda (Belle) Witzenhausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 Rounded Up)
I received a complimentary ARC copy of Writing an Identity Not Your Own, A Guide for Creative Writers by Alex Temblador from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Essentials , in order to read and give an honest review.
I have been looking for a book like this for such a long time. As a writer I really want to write realistic, diverse characters and show them the respect they deserve. Award-winning author Alex Temblador gives us a book that challenges us to educate ourselves and delve deep into our perceptions in order to learn how to create characters that defy damaging stereotypes and get to the heart of what identity is. Temblador walks us each step of the way; through pre-writing, writing, editing, and gives us valuable insight into the publishing industry to teach us how to be the best writers we can be. Included are exercises and checklists which help authors evaluate their own writing.

There is a wealth of knowledge in the pages of “Writing and Identity Not Your Own” which at times can feel overwhelming in a process that can already seem daunting, but it is a necessary journey that all writers should take.

This will go on my bookshelf, and I know that this will be a book that will be a constant reference on my writing journey. A well-written, informative, down to earth resource for writers to add to their library. I highly recommend it.

[Winterpg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a writer. After reading this, I would be afraid to write about anyone but myself. According to this book, for each character you would need to research their gender, sexual orientation, race, religious beliefs, how they identify themselves and translate this into the era you are writing about, to ensure accuracy in language and terminology used during that time. In addition you must be cognizant of their geographic region, and also determine whether the terminology you use would last the test of time. (I don't think any terminology lasts the test of time, we live in an ever changing dynamic world).
2 people with identical backgrounds (take twins) can have entirely different opinions on how they perceive themselves, their families, where they are from, the language they use, etc. Given this, to me it is virtually impossible to not offend someone.
Lastly, I disagree what you said of American Dirt. Maybe I don't deep dive into the characters as much as other readers, what I hope to gain from reading a book is a different perspective. With American Dirt, what I gained, is that there are people who are only trying to save their families and provide a better life.

[Story Eater]

I don't really like to give star ratings to nonfiction books because many times my opinions can be on anything from content to organization to presentation, etc.

For a guidebook on writing, this book is exceptionally well organized and put together. The writing style lends well to easy interpretation of the material.

A negative for me comes from some of the material being repeated in other parts of the book. Some of the topics apply to more than one instance, so it felt like stuff was cut and pasted a bit. I can't fault it, though, as sometimes folks will pick up books like this and only read certain sections, which is completely understandable.

I highly recommend this book for anyone writing fiction. Everyone will get something from it.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the review copy, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very thorough and well thought-through, and very valuable to someone writing outside of their own identity. I do think it will, and perhaps rightly so, deter writers from attempting it, as the background research and inner work required to do justice to a character from another identity is extensive and will definitely take many writers out of their comfort zone. However, it's also of great value for writing secondary characters from different identities, which are also important; the world isn't homogeneous, so likely your characters' world won't be, either. The author also includes lengthy lists of tropes and stereotypes to avoid for specific identities, so that your secondary characters will have depth and authenticity. A useful handbook for writers to keep close. Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator copy of the audiobook.

[Amr Saleh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t stress enough how EVERY writer should read this. Alex Temblador breaks down incredibly complex topics and explains them to the reader in a way that is surprisingly accessible and not as dry as I expect my nonfiction to be. Quite the opposite this was a very engaging and educational read.

If you are a writer who needs guidance while navigating the complex path of authentic representation, Alex Temblador’s Writing an Identity Not Your Own will offer you some of the most valuable words of wisdom you’ll get in your writing career. I for one know for a fact that I’ll be revisiting this book multiple times in my journey as a writer and will be recommending it to everyone in my writing group because as I said at the beginning of my review, EVERY writer should read this!