Hi everyone! I'm Vanessa, the course instructor, and I'd like to welcome you to the How to Write Diverse Characters course.

I'm a YA fantasy, paranormal, and horror writer and diversity reader (if you don't know what that is that's ok, we'll discuss this in module 6). I created this course because I believe representation and inclusivity in our stories matter, but I've heard fear from some authors/writers about writing diversely. They're afraid of making a mistake and offending someone, getting things wrong, etc. That's why I wanted to create this course. I want to give writers a chance to learn, grow, and build their skill and confidence when writing diverse characters. It really doesn't have to be scary.

So if you're ready to jump in, let's get started!