the writing spot discussion

I'm writing a fantasy book with a lot of diversity and since it's in a fantasy world I can't just say someone's Latino or black. So what are some non-offensive descriptions? I especially need to know how to describe
-someone who's Latino
-East Asian
-Middle Eastern
-black
-and Native American
If anyone else is having problems with this please also ask on this topic

Ooh, me too! I have several POC characters in my current novel and I'm worried about accidentally being offensive when describing them.

I don't think it is offensive if you call someone Asian but use it for real referrings. Asians does not refer just the East Asians you know. South Asia is part of Asia and West Asia is part of Asia and North Asia is part of Asia. So if you are going to describe a person who is native to e.g. Saudi Arabia, India, Russia they are still geographically Asian. This would be a common pet peeve to those who are Asian, a bit like me. And I know a lot of Asians who have this Pet Peeve.

Here is a link for more information's of Pet Peeves only an Asian will understand. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Rumell ক খ গ ঘ ঙ চ ছ জ ঝ ঞ, wrote: "I don't think it is offensive if you call someone Asian but use it for real referrings. Asians does not refer just the East Asians you know. South Asia is part of Asia and West Asia is part of Asia..."

Thanks, I would like to know then what are good ways of describing someone who's Middle Eastern? Or someone who's East Asian?

Or you can just refer them as Asian.

You can refer Egyptian and Sudanese as African and Turkey as European.

Rumell ক খ গ ঘ ঙ চ ছ জ ঝ ঞ, wrote: "Here is a link for more information's of Pet Peeves only an Asian will understand. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

This was very helpful. I never understood the "you're half-Japanese so you must speak Japanese" thing. If a white person is half German then people don't ask them if they speak any German

I have edited my comment so that it no longer simply ask for 'Asian' descriptions

Okay

Frank wrote: "I'm writing a fantasy book with a lot of diversity and since it's in a fantasy world I can't just say someone's Latino or black. So what are some non-offensive descriptions? I especially need to kn..."

I had the same issue when I began writing my story because it's also set in a fantasy world, but I've found this page to be pretty helpful.

http://writingwithcolor.tumblr.com/po...

Lee wrote: "Frank wrote: "I'm writing a fantasy book with a lot of diversity and since it's in a fantasy world I can't just say someone's Latino or black. So what are some non-offensive descriptions? I especia..."

I've seen this page before and it is definitely useful, I'm trying to figure out how to fit the descriptions in in a natural way

If your trying to describe a character's color and they are Latino,
Then try something like. He/She, has dark/light brown skin, brown/hazel eyes with long dark eyelashes, and curly thick black raven colored hair. This is how I described my character in the book I am writing.
I am really sorry if this did not answer you question.
I am (,indian,italian,german,spanish,and a lot of other things) so this is how I would describe a latino.

Karsyn wrote: "If your trying to describe a character's color and they are Latino,
Then try something like. He/She, has dark/light brown skin, brown/hazel eyes with long dark eyelashes, and curly thick black rave..."

Thank you, this does help a little

In addition to what others have said, only describe people if it’s relevant and adds to the storytelling... I wouldn’t simply list a character’s skin, hair, eye color. You can weave it into their actions, etc. gradually reavealing details about their appearance throughout the story, e.g, “she tucked a strand of raven black hair behind her ear”, “he narrowed his pea-green eyes,” etc. and also through the pov of other characters, but again in a way that’s realistic. You don’t necessarily think what colour the person’s skin colour or race is the first time you see them, but you might notice something that stands out, like if they’re really tall/short or their smile or a very prominent feature.

Totally agree with the top two comments, in a way I also prefer when characters arent described to the T since that way you get to make up your own image of the, this a completely personal choice of course! I also think its nice when a characters physical traits are slowly built upon the more you get to know them and the more the main character gets to know them since that is how we as humans start noticing small details about peoples appearance right? for example very much like the last two comments
"Her pale skin shined in the sun"..."his deep dark eyes looked upon her freckled face"...."He swept his golden caramel hair out of his face as he ran" ... etc