Book Quote by Leigh Bardugo
“'Shadow and Bone' was my first book, and I think I was unconsciously echoing a lot of the fantasy that I had grown up with, which sets a kind of default for straight white characters. And that's something I've tried to improve on as I write, to write more authentically and reflect the people around me in the world, around me more realistically.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: “Writing Authenticity” in a 2022 literary magazine
The author acknowledges past reliance on default white protagonists and aims to diversify characters to reflect real-world diversity.
In simple terms: Strive for authentic, diverse representation in storytelling.
Key Takeaway
Write characters that mirror real societal diversity.
Themes
diversity
authenticity
representation
Mood
hopeful
critical
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Literary criticism
cultural awareness
identity politics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers responsibly expand representation?
- What challenges arise when confronting personal biases?
A Different Perspective
Changing entrenched industry norms can be slow and face resistance.
