C. N. Garraway

Photo by: Oleg Gapeenko

Do You Write About Black Characters?

Have you ever noticed how vaguely Black characters are described in some novels—especially in books by non-Black authors? I find this frustrating. Often, it feels like writers either don’t know how to describe Black characters without leaning into clichés or simply choose to skip over the details altogether.

Why Is This So Hard?

Is it really that difficult to describe a Black character authentically? It doesn’t have to be. There are many ways to approach this respectfully and accurately:

• Read books by Black authors.
• Talk to Black people—from different backgrounds and experiences.
• Join writing groups that include Black members who are often more than willing to help you get it right.

I’ve personally helped other writers describe Black characters—beyond just physical appearance. We are more than just how we look. Our experiences, environments, and even how we speak can differ in meaningful ways that are worth representing thoughtfully.

Varying Shades of Brown

Black people come in all shades and with many different features. We range from skin tones as light as some white people to the deepest dark brown. So, when a character is simply described as “brown-skinned,” that’s not quite enough. What does “brown” mean in this context? What kind of brown?

I recently read a sci-fi novel where a Black woman was mentioned briefly—described only as having brown skin. At first, I questioned why the author even mentioned her race at all. But eventually, she became important to the plot. Then came another character—also described as having brown skin—but never explicitly identified as Black.

This made me wonder: was she Black? Was she from another ethnicity? Was her race intentionally vague? It wasn’t clear.

What About Her Hair?

This might seem small to some, but Black hair matters in storytelling—especially in scenes involving water or environmental changes. Many Black people’s hair reacts to moisture: it may swell, shrink, or curl up depending on the texture. Some wear protective styles, braids, wigs, or weaves. Others go natural.

In the book I mentioned, a character was stranded on an alien planet. She was said to be Black—but nothing was said about her hair. Was she bald? Did she have braids? A head wrap? No mention at all. That omission made the character feel incomplete to me.

At one point, another character referred to her “tight braids.” Okay… but what kind of braids? That detail felt vague and, honestly, a little pointless. Saying someone has braids doesn’t automatically mean they’re Black, either. Other ethnicities wear braids, too. Again—be intentional with your descriptions.

It’s Not That Hard to Be Inclusive

If you’re not comfortable writing about Black characters, that’s okay. You don’t have to. No one should feel obligated to write characters they don’t understand or connect with. But if you do want to include Black characters in your work, please do your research.

Just a few well-placed sentences can give readers a clear visual. You don’t have to write paragraphs of description. I really appreciated how author Robin O’Connor handled this. She wove in details about her Black female character’s hair and culture naturally—while still moving the story forward. It didn’t feel forced, and it helped bring the character to life.

Final Thoughts

Writers—please don’t throw a Black character into your story just to check a diversity box. And if someone asks why you don’t write Black characters, it’s okay to be honest. You’re not required to include other ethnicities in your work if it doesn’t feel authentic to your voice or story.

But if you do want to reflect diversity—do it with care, with depth, and with understanding. That means knowing:

• Not all Black people have wide noses.
• Not all Black people have big lips.
• Not all Black people have afros.
• And please—stop using “chocolate” as a lazy descriptor. “Brown” works just fine.

We’re individuals, not stereotypes.

If you’re writing a Black character, do the work. Read. Listen. Ask. It will be appreciated more than you know.

Have thoughts or questions about this post? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear from you.