Part of writing stories involving cultures or countries that you aren’t a native to can be very daunting. There is a definite line between accurate and respectful portrayals and clumsy, poorly researched stereotypes. It’s very important that this line not be crossed. Read: VERY IMPORTANT. No writer wants to offend someone – even accidentally – so it’s vital that as many measures as possible be taken to avoid any literary faux pas.

Here are a few of tips I’ve picked up over the years on how to accurately portray other cultures:

Number one: Be respectful. This is the most important and number one rule. If you feel like something you’ve written is a bit iffy, it probably is. Either scribble it out or question it actively (ideally at this point, gain the insight of a person from that place or culture) and make sure to avoid offensive stereotypes by any means necessary.

Next up: Consume media made by/for/in that place. This is a big help when writing fiction set in a foreign place. It’s easy to find streaming sources online for forign media these days – especially with excellent services like netflix, hulu and crunchyroll in the mix. Though please do be aware to broadly consume media from the country and not just certain types (as for example, watching magical girl anime is fun, but likely won’t help you to understand modern day life in Japan). Maybe start with that country’s news!

Third tip: Look into resources made specifically to build knowledge about that culture/place. There is plenty of this information on the internet that has been specifically set up for writers aiming to be more diverse. A simple google search (or more likely, tumblr search) will bring up tonnes of places like this and they can be incredibly helpful.

Moving on: Encompass Everything. It’s important when writing about a place or lifestyle that you’re unfamiliar with, that you don’t make any guesswork. If you’re unsure about specifics, ask about them. Something as seemingly insignificant can often pull a reader out of the scene if it isn’t accurate or believable, so take care to look up anything you are doubtful of. After the big picture is clear to you, make sure to focus on the details and expand your knowledge wherever necessary

Number five: Seek out blogs and videos made by natives of that place/people of that culture. It can be very easy to get bogged down consuming mainstream media of a place, but at the end of the day, if you’re writing a modern day piece, it’s also important to get a taste of what people are like in their comfort zones, online in an informal environment.

Number six: If you can, go to the place! This one is pretty self explanatory. If you can afford the luxury of travel, make sure to take the time and experience the place you’re trying to recreate on the page. Take photographs where you can, write notes and make recordings (with permission). Try and immerse yourself as much as possible!

And finally: Speak with natives and people who have been there. Get personal experiences and feedback from people within the culture or nation you’re trying to represent. With the internet so prominent in our lives, the world is now a global community. Make use of that and reach out to people. Maybe specifically enlist the help of a sensitivity reader. This is your chance to broaden your mind and reach out for something new.