A way with worlds: 31 - Losing the Race

And there's no reason to assume that other sentient races are markedly less adaptable than we are - in short, stereotypes. Intellect, the ability to process, pass on, and retain information means some level of adaptability.

When designing intelligent races, keep the power of intellect in mind. Remember there's no reason to assume that other sentient races will somehow be lockstep boring clones - so if you create lockstep boring clones, have a reason.

THE SECOND SIDE: HUMANITY TRIUMPHANT
One way to respond to stereotypes of non-human races is the classic, overdone idea that (drumroll) humans are the MOST ADAPTABLE BADASSES IN THE WORLD/UNIVERSE/DIMENSION! Everyone else is secondary and inferior!

It's been done. In one or two cases have I seen it done well. To be frank, I wouldn't risk it in your story unless you're really ready to burn some human brainpower on doing a good story and not creating "Humanz Rulez!" or "well, I don't want to design detailed races."

Don't make humans superior unless that fits your word - make races equally as interesting and detailed.

BREAKING OUT OF STEREOTYPED RACE DESIGN:
However, it's all fine and good to acknowledge the problem of stereotyping new races, but how do you get out of it?

My usually answer of course, is "design with a strong continuity," but let's face it - it's easy to do this, and thus a hard habit to break.

My advice is:

• Design the settings your races develop/evolve/live in before going into too much detail. Try and determine what the races would need, do, and experience there and how it would affect them.
• Play with your races. See what comes into your head when you toss around ideas and brainstorm.
• Go the extra mile for detail in designing races.
• Remember how adaptable humans are, just keep that in mind.
• Do not assume races are all monolithic and their members similar unless there is a reason.
• If it seems a race is going to logically be monolithic and have similar members and there's a reason, don't go changing them just to avoid people saying "how stereotyped." If there's a reason, do it.
• Know the difference between culture and species traits.

Make the effort. You'll be happier as a writer and have a happier audience as well.

SUMMARY:
Don't stereotype your own races - explore and develop them. It'll make more believable, easier to write worlds people will enjoy.

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