To close out this quarter, we wanted to examine culture’s effect on writing. I invite you to think about your own background. Keep that in your mind and go and read something you’ve written. The cultural dimensions theory suggests that the behaviour of a person is directly influenced by cultural values and background. Through this mindset, Geert Hofstede listed four ways to analyze these values. While these ideas aren’t exactly helpful to WriteCause, it’s certainly interesting to research, because it holds merit and relates especially to writing. Nonetheless, our pieces of writing will always include fragments of cultural values and the like. As some authors say that pieces of themself are scattered in their writing, culture has a similar spot in text.
Love is a crucial dimension in my own culture and I’ve personally channeled love into an abundance of passion. My extended family expresses love in non-vocal ways, as I’m sure many Asian readers will relate, food is one of them, as well as time and attention from both sides of my family, despite how physical distance might interfere. Personally, I think too many people find love restrictive, too many people abstain from passion, the outpouring of love into a specific idea, object or person. Passion is my crutch for writing. If I have a good old case of writer’s block, I defer to smaller pieces about what I love, what I’m passionate about. I have stacks and stacks of poems about justice and ignorance and love and so much more.
It can be frustrating to try to find the words when you are enraged, elated or impassioned, but the satisfaction of finishing one of those pieces builds strong momentum and helps to improve future pieces. Obviously, our dear friend, the synonym lists at the top of Google is good to have in your back pocket, both for words but also for ideas of different directions to go with a word. It’s like a window into what Google thinks about my passion, opening a window after being inside all weekend. Instead of passion, sometimes Google thinks I’m in pain, being a martyr. It’s an interesting perspective, and sometimes I humor the idea. Even if I disagree, what matters is the passion, not the idea. I’ve read stunning poems on the most inane topics and they are breathtaking simply for the emotion behind the words. The hardest part of writing is not grammar or syntax, but choosing the right words for you. And it's incredibly interesting to see (whether through peer editing or a list of synonyms), an objective view on your culture. Sometimes that in and of itself is impactful enough to write about. Examine your own culture and take time to learn what’s at its core. Culture in a basic form, simply reflects emotion. I would say passion is at the core of my culture, and each person’s answer will be different. Share with us what you think the dimensions of your culture are in a comment or small piece!
With one week left before submissions close on September 30th, we encourage you to follow these feelings and write something on a whim. Focus on the feelings, not the theme or plot. Writing is an important way to connect with your ideas as well as your emotion and it’s important to remember that writing can be healing. Our new quarter will be announced on October 1st, but until then, submit and keep writing!
go submit!!