• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

LDSPMA

Empowering Latter-day Saints to spread light and truth by connecting them at the intersection of faith, creativity, and professional skill

  • Conference
    • The 2026 LDSPMA Annual Conference
    • Conference Registration
    • The 2026 LDSPMA Annual Conference Schedule
    • Conference Recordings
    • Instruments in God’s Hands
    • Theme Contests
    • Exhibit, Advertise, or Sell at the LDSPMA Conference
    • Partner with LDSPMA
    • FAQs
    • Volunteer at the LDSPMA Conference
    • Past Conferences
      • 2025 Conference
        • Sessions
        • Workshops
        • Awards Gala
        • Internship Fair
        • LDSPMA’s Got (Secret) Talent!
      • 2024 Conference
        • Sessions
        • Workshops
        • ZIFF Networking Dinner
        • Schedule
  • Membership
    • Email Sign Up (Free)
    • LDSPMA NextGen
    • University Chapters
    • Facebook Group
    • NextGen Youth Facebook Group
  • Programs
    • Monthly Zoom Discussions (Free)
    • Mentoring Program
    • Master Classes (2026)
  • Podcast
    • Watch
    • Listen
      • Listen on Apple Podcasts
      • Listen on Spotify
      • Listen on Buzzsprout
    • Called to Create Conversations
  • Articles
    • All Articles
    • Faith & Mindset
      • Gospel Principles
      • Creativity
      • Productivity
    • Craft Skills
      • Writing
      • Media, Film & Theater
      • Podcasting & Speaking
      • Music
      • Fine Art
    • Professional Skills
      • Editing
      • Publishing
      • Business
      • Cultural Diversity
      • Marketing
    • Write for Us
  • Awards
    • 2026 Award Nominations
    • Praiseworthy Awards
    • Spark Awards
    • Lifetime Achievement Awards
    • Past Award Winners
    • Apply to Be an Awards Judge
  • About
    • Mission
      • LDSPMA in the Media
      • Success Stories
      • Viewpoint on LDSPMA
    • LDSPMA Leadership
    • Volunteers
      • Volunteer Year-Round
      • Volunteer at the LDSPMA Conference
      • Mali McKenzie Award Nominations
      • Apply to Be a Presenter
      • Apply to Be an Awards Judge
      • Resources for Current Volunteers
    • Policies
    • Contact US
  • Support LDSPMA
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Partner with LDSPMA
    • Shop LDSPMA

December 2021

December 31, 2021 By Jeremy Madsen

Photo of Kaela Rivera
SONY DSC

December 16: Empathy, Dignity, and Cultural Diversity

A discussion with author Kaela Rivera

How can we effectively portray cultural diversity in our writing? Using her recent award-winning novel Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls as an example, Kaela Rivera will discuss writing latinx characters, the difficulties of bringing Cece Rios’s latinx fantasy world to life, navigating her own mixed heritage, and using empathy as a guiding tool for writing characters with dignity, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.  

Bio: Kaela Rivera writes about the folktales of her Mexican-American and British parents. When she’s not crafting stories, she’s working as an editor for a marketing company. Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls—which won the 2022 Charlotte Huck Award—is her first novel; the sequel comes out in fall 2022.

There is no recording available for this Zoom discussion.

Filed Under: Monthly Zoom Discussion

You May Also Like

Delivering—and Receiving—Negative Feedback in a Constructive Way

“If you remember to give feedback with kindness and sincerity and accept it without being defensive, you just may find your writing career reaching new heights.” -Sabine Berlin

Catching Up to AI

“Once we better understand that a loving, interested God created us in His image for a powerful, eternal purpose with a vast—mostly untapped—potential, we will realize that AI should be neither feared nor abused.” -Michael House

A headshot of author Melody J. Williams

Melody J. Williams: Finding Light Through Writing

“Write your stories. They matter. They’re important. Your thoughts matter. It makes a difference. Someone will relate—someone who needs to hear what you have to give.” -Melody J. Williams

A green chalkboard, featuring the word COPYRIGHT in capital letters, surrounded by related keywords such as "licensing," "ownership," "media," "legal," etc.

When Is Fair Use Fair?

“Sometimes great wordsmiths say something in a way no one else can . . . Enjoy your quotes, but choose wisely as to what you share in your for-profit works.” -Michele Preisendorf

Primary Sidebar

Write for Us

Would you like to see your article featured here on LDSPMA?

We are currently seeking article submissions. Learn what you need to know and submit your article here. 

Recent Articles

Delivering—and Receiving—Negative Feedback in a Constructive Way

“If you remember to give feedback with kindness and sincerity and accept it without being defensive, you just may find your writing career reaching new heights.” -Sabine Berlin

Catching Up to AI

“Once we better understand that a loving, interested God created us in His image for a powerful, eternal purpose with a vast—mostly untapped—potential, we will realize that AI should be neither feared nor abused.” -Michael House

A headshot of author Melody J. Williams

Melody J. Williams: Finding Light Through Writing

“Write your stories. They matter. They’re important. Your thoughts matter. It makes a difference. Someone will relate—someone who needs to hear what you have to give.” -Melody J. Williams

Search the Articles Archive

Article Topics

Recent Podcast Episodes

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Shop the LDSPMA Store

Support LDSPMA with branded merch, including shirts, hats, water bottles, notebooks, stickers and more! Every purchase helps fund LDSPMA programs.

Shop Now!

Copyright © 2026 LDSPMA. All Rights Reserved. LDSPMA is not endorsed by nor affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.