As "South Asian" seems to be an American term and every Indian I know identifies himself/herself as Indian, I'll just use the word "Indian' especially in this context where, in any case, you don't seem to mention Sri Lanka, Pakistan or Bangladesh.
I agree with what all the other posters have said, which essentially boils down to understanding the culture. I think one of the concerns would be stereo-typing which, I personally think, is often blown out of proportion anyway. In my personal experience, non-Indians (usually those in the West) seem to object more to stereo-typing than the Indians I know. However, if idiocy or a mean spirit is involved, than be prepared for a backlash. I am sure this will not be the case here.
With a good understanding of the culture, I think you could pull off a story like this to great effect.
As an Indian, I agree with this 100%. This would apply to any other culture on which you're basing your story.
And repeat ... Research Yes.
Totally agree. Research by any other name.
As an Indian who has visited India often, I think they make great stories, whether in the hands of Western (a few) or Indian (many) writers.
I agree with what all the other posters have said, which essentially boils down to understanding the culture. I think one of the concerns would be stereo-typing which, I personally think, is often blown out of proportion anyway. In my personal experience, non-Indians (usually those in the West) seem to object more to stereo-typing than the Indians I know. However, if idiocy or a mean spirit is involved, than be prepared for a backlash. I am sure this will not be the case here.
With a good understanding of the culture, I think you could pull off a story like this to great effect.
I tend to think if you are going to base something loosely on a set of cultures, you need to do more rather than less research so you know where things intersect and they don't. Either you have to research South Asian cultures until you feel like you're going blue, or you'll have to base is loosely on one culture or figure out the best way to file off the serial numbers. (Which usually means a different kind of research).
As an Indian, I agree with this 100%. This would apply to any other culture on which you're basing your story.
Yes, research research research.
My usual writing plan is to do a little research before I start the first draft, then truck loads once I finish, then as I revise, incorporate the research.
And repeat, and repeat . . . .
And repeat ... Research Yes.
At the point you're at, this isn't the time for narrowly-focused research or beta readers. Forget about your story for a moment. Read about different South Asian cultures. Find bloggers and novelists from those cultures. Learn about general stereotypes, not just for South Asian groups, but for people who aren't white in general. Read anything and everything, because you don't know what it is you don't know.
Then go back to your story.
Totally agree. Research by any other name.
I'm South Asian. I think the tricky bit - and I face this too, sometimes when I use South Asia as a setting - is the temptation is to use the dark "exotic" elements. Female infanticide. Ill-treatment of elephants. Arranged marriages. The caste system. Poverty and slums.
As an Indian who has visited India often, I think they make great stories, whether in the hands of Western (a few) or Indian (many) writers.
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