Every writer needs to build the world their story is set in, be it a contemporary, historical, or fantastical setting. But how does one create a setting in which the reader can escape into and become fully immersed? Whether you're a writer from an underrepresented cultural background or thinking about including a character/s from an ethnicity or cultural background different from your own, we will discuss strategies for weaving cultural details into the fabric of your story to enhance the plot, characters, and setting. In this session, we will go through some do's and don’ts to consider when including cultural representation, look at examples from my own work as well as excerpts from other novels for inspiration in creating immersive worlds, and highlight ways in which you can authenticate the representation to avoid the pitfalls of 'poor' representation.
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Payal Doshi is the author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, a middle grade fantasy novel and recipient of the IPPY Gold Award. Her young adult short story, A Confluence of Fates, can be found in the YA anthology, My Big, Fat, Desi Wedding. Her forthcoming four-book series of chapter books, Magic Gems, published by Scholastic Inc. will be available in 2026. Payal has an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from The New School, New York. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, she loves writing stories that celebrate and champion her South Asian heritage. For more information, visit her website, www.payaldoshiauthor.com, or follow her on Instagram @payaldoshiauthor.
Payal is new to The Porch. Welcome!
