How to Write an X Reader

Y/n

Let's start off with Y/n. The character that your reader imagines themselves as

This is something that at the end of the day, no writer can master because every person is unique and it just isn't possible to accurately portray everyone as one character, but with that being said, you can still be inclusive. I'm very big on including as many people as possible because it's for the viewer, at the end of the day if you can't include people of different backgrounds in your Y/n, you might as well make it an OC

When it comes to Y/n's characteristics, it should be up to the reader. That being said, depending on the story and circumstances things like weight or height, can be chosen by the author. When it comes to characteristics like hair, skin, or the eyes. Don't do it. It's not an x reader if the reader can't imagine themselves

If Y/n has blonde hair and blue eyes. It's not an x reader. It's an x oc that doesn't know its name

Also, in my personal experience, I think that being vague about Y/n's characteristics, is a good thing. Using H/c or E/c or S/c. People don't want to read that, and it's really not important to the story, let's be honest. What you look like doesn't really matter, doesn't do anything for the plot. Also being vague, to me it's easier

When you are making an x reader, it is important and I mean important that you let the reader know straight up what pronouns and gender, Y/n will be in your story. You do not have to make Y/n gender neutral, you can make Y/n, female or male, or use whatever pronouns you like, but you need to let your readers know

Also stop using phrases like "my face turned red" "I looked like a cherry" etc. If you're book is POC friendly, these phrases better not be in your book because these phrases are not POC friendly. It's okay if you didn't know that. I didn't find that out until someone told me. I was baffled when I found out that people with darker skin tones didn't turn red when they were flustered or embarrassed. But you do now so don't fucking do it

Here are some alternatives to those phrases

"I felt my face heat up"

"My face grew warm"

"I became flustered"

"I was embarrassed"

For this last one, I'm guilty about 1500 times for this one. DO NOT MAKE Y/N SIBLINGS WITH A CANON CHARACTER IN WHATEVER UNIVERSE YOUR BOOK TAKES PLACE. You can make them adoptive siblings, but not biological. Like, it doesn't work, and it doesn't make sense for people who have completely different features than the character you chose as their sibling