WHAT makes Showing Emotion in Writing So Different? – [Day Four of Five Day Series]
5 Day – Emotions in Writing Challenge
WHY is showing emotions in writing so different?
Cultural Differences in writing can be challenging. I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this subject but as I always say we learn by doing or sharing so here goes. I get to do the doing part and only you can choose if you share.
Over the past three days I have been addressing each of the reasons why emotions can be hard to express in our writing. I have offered insights on how we can enhance our writing by effectively harnessing emotions in our writing.
We’ve delved into the five reasons showing emotions in writing is such a brain drain.
They were:
- Lack of Non-verbal Cues (face-to-face – Revealed Day 1)
- Limited Word Selection (Revealed – Day 2)
- Interpretation Variability (Revealed – Day 3)
- Cultural Differences (Revealed Today – Day 4), and
- Fear of Vulnerability (to be revealed next blog – Tomorrow – Day 5).
for your depiction of cultural differences
Cultural and Contextual Differences:
Today we examine how cultural and contextual factors influence emotional expression when showing emotion.
I never realized this was such a huge topic and it really deserves a much longer blog post. Truly thesis 😪 material this one.
However, let’s just explore what little we can.
Developing sensitivity and inclusivity in writing to connect with readers from various backgrounds emotionally is necessary. We must make our readers care about our characters to gain their connection.
for your perfect depiction of cultural differences
How do we do this?
Showing Emotion through expression is profoundly influenced by cultural and contextual factors.
Firstly, we must understand our target audience. Identify the cultural background of the intended audience. Consider their cultural norms, beliefs and expectations towards emotional expression.
Different cultures have unique ways of expressing and perceiving emotions, and what may be considered appropriate or emotionally charged in one culture may not be in another.
Here’s my attempt at a charged situation in an unusual setting.
In a dimly lit bar in Orange, an Australian Aboriginal woman sits alone, her face etched with traces of age, sorrow and resilience. Her husband steps down from the stage having completed delivering a soul-filled melody of powerful lyrics built from ancestral stories that spark a wave of awe and introspection from the pub’s diverse patrons.
As the couple sit quietly reflecting, a pale skinned stranger makes his approach, his eyes facing down he sits with unspoken understanding. They share the rest of the night in a quiet exchange of stories. Those of the weight of historical injustices mingled with a newfound sense of connection, bridging the cultural divides and leaving an indelible impact on all of their lives.
Showing Emotion can also be influenced by contextual factors.
As writers we need to consider these differences and strike a balance that resonates with a broader audience. Contextual factors exert a powerful influence on our emotions. Describing contextual factors allows us to capture the intricate interplay between external influences and the emotional experiences they evoke.
Varied expressions across cultures
In my short passage above you can see that such a setting may only appeal to a particular audienHowever, it is also important that we writers acknowledge the individual experiences and personalities within each cultural group that they can vary greatly, so these descriptions should not be generalized to all individuals from these backgrounds. In the world in which we live today many people have travelled and migrated all over so diversity can affect how we use cultural background or historical context and a certain amount of cultural context would help the reader to understand the unspoken understanding that was shared between the characters of the story.
As I mentioned above this topic has so much more to explore. I hope to come back to this topic once I have gained more knowledge.
I hope I have given you something to consider in your writing
Let me know if you have anything to add.
Cheers!
~Zak~
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