Recent content by Draco Roma

My best example for this is the autistic representation in The Predator. The character was introduced very stereotypically autistic: non-verbal, mumbling, walking around, hands over the ears, very easily upset. And in that single scene, I didn't think much of it, because there are people like...

I think this is what Fyri meant. That, yes, you don't have to always go out of your way for things, but that you shouldn't fall back on harmful tropes when you choose to depict certain things. So many harmful tropes and ideas are perpetuated by writers not challenging them. And while, yes...

Thank you for your advice and question skip.knox. I guess the best way I can phrase it is that I would use conversations with cultural consultants to supplement the research I've already done, and the research I still have to do. Maybe they can point me towards more sources to research. Maybe...

Just to make sure I understand you, it sounds like you're suggestingI should do my own research first, and then consult experts/people with the lived experience after the research/in the draft stage. Is that accurate?

This is a good perspective to have for mental health purposes. And sorry if I'm misinterpreting what you've been saying, but I'll flip the perspective on this to explain why finding consultants for the cultures I represent is important to me. Do any of us want to be the writer that people...

I really wish that was the case, but many editors have the same biases we authors do. They're probably not going to notice really problematic things because they, just like the authors, often are working off harmful tropes. There are big budget blockbuster movies that have these sorts of...

Thank you for all your posts! They're all very helpful. One of my biggest barriers at the moment is simply not have any social media accounts, but your advice is still really helpful. As well, I appreciate the offer to ask your Russian professor friend, since even if he can't help directly he...

Thank you so much. This is really helpful!

Thank you, but it is personally important for me to represent my inspirations faithfully. I'm not just making something up from scratch, I am using the real world as inspiration. This is why it's important for me to talk with people who know these cultures I use as inspiration, so i can get...

While that is true, it does not rule out the importance for a cultural consultant or collaborator. Even if these in world cultures are only inspired by real world cultures, I am still attempting to emulate something I have no experience with, and could very easily make a very insulting mistake.

I'd like to clarify cause I just realized I may have been unclear One of my characters is from a culture inspired by the yakut culture from siberia Another is from a culture inspired by gandan culture from Africa

Hello! For one of my projects, i base a lot of the cultures in the world off of real world cultures. However, I do believe it's important to be as authentic as possible. I was wondering if anyone knew a way to find cultural consultants or would be able to help out with my work. Specifically I...

I'm Draco Roma (and I would perfer to go by this user name). Glad to join the community and get to talk with people!