Subverting the Mainstream Lens: Writing Stories That Stay True to Your People (With Tiffany Grimes)

Writing diverse characters shouldn't feel like walking through a minefield. But if you're like most fiction writers, you've probably found yourself caught between wanting to include different voices in your stories and worrying about getting it wrong. You may have avoided writing certain characters altogether, or you may have fallen into the trap of over-explaining everything for a mainstream audience.

The truth is, this struggle is more common than you think. And the solution isn't to avoid diversity or water down your stories. It's about understanding who you're really writing for and why that matters more than you might realize.

That's precisely what I explored in my recent conversation with Tiffany Grimes, founder of Burgeon Design and Editorial and an MFA-trained editor who specializes in amplifying marginalized voices. 

After recognizing areas for growth in her own feedback, Tiffany has spent years helping writers shed performative expectations and write with radical honesty. Her insights on subverting the mainstream gaze completely changed how I think about character development. And I know they'll do the same for you.

What Is the Mainstream Gaze in Fiction?

When we talk about "gaze" in writing, we're referring to the assumed audience for whom your story is written. Whose comfort, understanding, and perspective does your work center on? As Tiffany explained to me, in publishing, the mainstream gaze has traditionally been white, straight, cisgender, and neurotypical.

You've probably heard terms like "white gaze" when stories are shaped primarily for white readers, or "male gaze" when women are reduced to objects. There's also what my recent podcast guest Tiffany Grimes calls the "Western gaze," the expectation that stories follow Western storytelling structures and sensibilities.

This isn't about pointing fingers or making anyone feel bad. But instead, recognize that when we automatically center a mainstream perspective, we might be diluting the very stories we're trying to tell.

And the good news is that diverse stories are on the rise in popularity, where authentic voices are increasingly valued over universal appeal.

The Cost of Writing for Everyone

One of the biggest myths in fiction writing is that your story should connect with everyone. But the truth is, it can't. And trying to make it universal often strips away the specificity that makes stories powerful.

When you write with a mainstream gaze, you might find yourself:

• Over-explaining cultural references or experiences.
• Glossing over emotional complexity to avoid confusion.
• Adding background that feels more like justification than storytelling.
• Second-guessing authentic details because they might not be "understood"

This results in stories feeling performative rather than genuine. Characters that exist to educate rather than to live and breathe on the page. This is why developing compelling characters requires understanding who you're truly writing for, rather than trying to please everyone.

The Framework That Changes Everything

This is where Tiffany blew my mind during our conversation. She explained that there's a powerful difference between writing about a community as an outsider versus writing to your community from the inside. 

The first approach centers on explanation. You're essentially translating experiences for people who haven't lived them. The second approach centers on truth. You're speaking directly to people who share or understand these experiences.

When writing about a community, you may find yourself focused on ensuring that outsiders understand every detail. When you write to a community, you can trust your readers to pick up on subtleties and cultural cues without lengthy explanations.

Recognizing When You're Writing for the Wrong Audience

So how do you know when you're slipping into that translator mode? Here are some signs to watch for:

You're over-explaining cultural references or behaviors. If you find yourself adding paragraphs of context for every cultural detail, you might be writing for people who aren't your intended audience.

You're adding defensive explanations. When you catch yourself justifying character choices or explaining why something matters, ask yourself: Who are you trying to convince?

You're glossing over emotional complexity. If you're simplifying nuanced experiences to make them more "palatable" or "understandable," you might be centering the wrong readers.

You're writing from a place of anxiety about judgment. This one's big. If fear of criticism is driving your character choices, it's time to refocus on who you're actually serving with your story.

Understanding these warning signs is crucial for deepening your character development skills and avoiding common pitfalls in diverse representation.

The Question That Changes Your Writing

Tiffany shared a question with me that can completely transform how you approach character development: Who am I trying to protect or appease with this explanation?

If the answer is a mainstream audience you're not actually writing for, that's your cue to reconsider. As she explained, sometimes we're trying to protect ourselves from criticism. Sometimes we're trying to protect other people from discomfort. However, these protective instincts often dilute the very stories we're trying to tell.

This doesn't mean you should write recklessly or without consideration. It means being intentional about your choices and understanding the difference between writing with care and writing with fear.

Practical Strategies for Authentic Character Development

Now let's get practical. How do you actually write characters that feel genuine without falling into common traps?

Give Yourself Permission to Be Imperfect

This might surprise you, but one of the most counterintuitive pieces of advice Tiffany shared is to write the stereotype first. Get it out in your early drafts. As she explained, when you're censoring yourself from the beginning, you miss the specificity and emotional truth that makes characters compelling. 

Tiffany learned this from graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang (who wrote American Born Chinese), and she swears by it. Your first draft doesn't have to be perfect; it has to be honest. You can always edit with more intention later, but you have to have something real to work with first. 

Trust Your Audience More Than You Think

As Tiffany reminded me during our conversation, readers are more intelligent than we often give them credit for. Some people are going to miss subtle details because they're reading fast or distracted. That's okay. You're not writing for the person who's going to miss things; you're writing for the person who doesn't need you to explain everything seventeen times.

She used the perfect example: the deaf character Jesinia in Fourth Wing. Rebecca Yarros didn't announce her deafness with flashing neon signs. She trusted readers to pick up on the details woven throughout the story. And guess what? Most readers did. Those who initially missed it went back and found it on the page. That's the power of trusting your audience.

Focus on Emotional Truth, Not Just Surface Details

Here's something that doesn't get talked about enough: emotional clarity matters more than getting every cultural detail perfect. When you're writing characters, whether they're like you or different from you, the emotional truth of their experience needs to ring authentic.

This means understanding not just how your character feels, but how you want your reader to feel as they move through the story. Are you offering catharsis? Solidarity? Hope? Understanding this emotional journey helps you make better choices about what to include and what to leave unsaid.

When You're Writing Outside Your Experience

Now, I know some of you are thinking: "But what if I want to include characters who aren't like me?" That's a valid question, and the answer isn't "don't do it." The answer is to be intentional about your 'why'.

Ask yourself why you want to include these characters. Is there a genuine need in your story? Are you writing from a place of care and connection, or are you checking a diversity box?

If you decide to move forward, remember that you'll need to take responsibility for your choices. Do your research, but don't let research replace emotional truth. And understand that even with the best intentions, you might receive criticism. How you handle that feedback says a lot about your commitment to the communities you're writing about.

For practical guidance on crafting authentic representation and moving beyond surface-level diversity, these resources can help you approach this work thoughtfully.

The Power of Writing Your Own Experience

If you're someone from a marginalized community who's afraid to write your own experiences, hear this: you are exactly the right person to tell these stories. You're going to come from a place of love and care that the story needs. You're not going to mess up due to laziness or a lack of understanding.

Yes, you might worry about representing your community "correctly." But here's the truth: every person's experience is different, even within the same community. Your story is valid. Your perspective matters. And the authenticity you bring to your writing is something that can't be researched or faked. And to help you feel a little less nervous, authentic, underrepresented voices are becoming increasingly valued in today's publishing landscape.

Moving Beyond Marketability

Here's something the publishing industry doesn't always say out loud: the more specific and emotionally honest your story is, the more marketable it becomes. It seems counterintuitive, but it's true.

When you try to write for everyone, you end up connecting with no one. When you write with a specific community in mind, with emotional truth and structural intention, you create something that resonates deeply. Those readers become your advocates. They share your book. They recommend it to friends.

The community you're writing for is out there, waiting for stories that speak to their experiences. They want to see themselves on the page, not as educational tools or inspiration for others, but as complex human beings living full lives. This is why understanding how to develop your character's backstory is so crucial; it helps you create characters with authentic depth rather than surface-level representation.

The Long Game of Authentic Storytelling

Writing authentic characters is about understanding the power and responsibility that come with storytelling (not following a checklist). Every craft choice you make, from your point of view, narrative distance, and tone, shapes how readers experience your story.

When you write with intention and emotional clarity, when you trust your readers and honor your characters, you create something that can't be replicated. You create stories that stay with people long after they finish reading.

This isn't easy work. It requires examining your own biases, sitting with discomfort, and sometimes making mistakes along the way. But it's also some of the most important work we can do as storytellers. If you're feeling overwhelmed by this process, remember that writing a novel is a journey that requires patience with yourself and your craft.

Your Next Steps

So where do you go from here? Start by examining your current work-in-progress. Ask yourself who your imagined reader is. Are you writing for people who share your characters' experiences, or are you writing for people who need everything explained?

Consider the questions you're asking as you write. Are you asking "How do I make this clearer?" or are you asking "How do I honor this character's truth?" Both questions have their place, but understanding when to ask which one makes all the difference.

And remember: your voice matters. Whether you're writing from your own experience or exploring different perspectives, the stories you choose to tell and how you choose to tell them are acts of creative autonomy. Use that power wisely.

The goal isn't perfection, it's intention. It's writing from a place of care rather than fear. It's creating characters that feel like real people rather than representatives. And it's trusting that when you do this work well, your stories will find their way to the readers who need them most.

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