Culture and How to Write It
Many writers struggle with injecting their diverse experiences into their work, and justifiably so. It’s one thing to be expected to think up an original narrative, but a whole new challenge when it comes to marrying that with our own rich, cultural traditions.
So, why do it?
Well, the first reason is that a large number of readers never grow up seeing themselves represented in books. What is a more noble cause than helping this dream become a reality? There’s also the fact that there’s an increasing amount of competition to get traditionally published. Any differentiator will help you stand out and, yes, that includes a well-written novel with diverse representation. And, finally, writing from your unique perspective or culture is fun!
Now that you’re properly hyped up to tackle such a project, let’s talk strategy. How exactly can you go about writing a diverse work? Well, the initial step involves seeing yourself in the novel. Literally visualize yourself in the character’s shoes. How would they interact with the world around them? Use the following four-item framework:
Language: what are words, phrases, and pronunciations specific to the culture?
Experiences: these are the things people who share this culture may go through that may be unique
Relationships: how do people who share this culture interact with one another?
Artifacts: note items that are commonly used/exchanged within this culture
That framework should set you up to effectively weave in culture, being sure to sprinkle rather than pour on the culture (some may disagree with me here) if you are writing for a global audience.
Of course, there are things to avoid. One of those things is stereotyping. This is where you toss in blanket statements about your culture in a way that may be true or overly simplistic. For example, if I were to say all Lebanese people are hairy (I’m Lebanese and many of us are hairy, but not all!) that would not be fair to the general Lebanese population.
And you don’t have to navigate the complexities of writing a culturally informed or inspired work by yourself! Be sure to check out many of the author talks on the subject, of which there are many, as well as consume a healthy amount of diverse books so you learn how others tackled it. Of course, don’t hesitate to hire someone for a sensitivity read as well. In fact, many of the Angelella Editorial staff offer such services!
Finally, be true to yourself. This is the golden rule of writing and it applies here. This can be such a tough endeavor, so finding out what makes you passionate and following through is critical.
Now go write!
