AUTHORSHIP

Culture, Identity, and Power's roles in the writing process

The assignment above, "Your Story, Our Story" required individuals to find an object that resembled their family's cultural identity and if applicable, their family's immigration story.

A person's culture and identity are integral components that play a role in the writing process. From the inception of ideas to the creation of words on paper, these elements are pivotal. Firstly, the writing process begins with ideas that are typically influenced by their cultural backgrounds, often drawing inspiration from their traditions. Cultural elements can appear in themes, settings, characters, and objects. Likewise, a person's position in power can help draw ideas from their experiences like being an immigrant. For instance, in Your Story, Our Story, I added, "Vivid and symbolic, the Chinese red envelope (“Lai See”) stands as a centerpiece of Chinese culture." The significance of this object in my cultural identity played an essential role in its inclusion, as it holds profound meaning in my heritage. Additionally, a writer's unique identity is vital in the writing process. Personal experiences, struggles, and triumphs often all appear in personal narratives. For example, I mentioned, "The ever-changing landscape, combined with their young ages, brought on new cultural transitions that ushered in a blend of challenges." This narrative choice stems directly from my family's identity, which had significant struggles during their immigration journey. By connecting these two personal elements, I was able to create a cohesive story. In essence, a writer's culture and identity stand as cornerstones in the writing process, from the formation of ideas to one cohesive story.