{"id":11942,"date":"2017-05-23T18:15:06","date_gmt":"2017-05-23T07:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/?p=11942"},"modified":"2017-05-23T16:16:54","modified_gmt":"2017-05-23T05:16:54","slug":"learning-teaching-writing-including","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/learning-teaching-writing-including\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning, Teaching, Writing, Including"},"content":{"rendered":"
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writingtheother.com<\/p><\/div>\n

They say you never stop learning and, whoever \u2018they\u2019 are, I hope they\u2019re right. I love studying, extending my understanding of the world and those in it. So when the opportunity came along last month to apply for a scholarship for a five-week \u2018Writing Inclusive Fiction<\/a>\u2019 course, I jumped at the chance. I sent off a sample of my writing and\u2026 I won a scholarship! Woo hoo!<\/p>\n

Writing inclusive fiction involves looking at your stories to see if you can include a more diverse range of characters in terms of gender, religion, racial heritage, sexual orientation or other aspects of identity that differ from the \u2018dominant paradigm\u2019. The goal is to represent diversity with positivity and accuracy, and not proliferate negative stereotyping or cultural appropriation. The course took up a lot of time but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to any writer interested in ensuring they represent diversity sensitively and convincingly. The course is for all writers from all backgrounds at any skill level. All you need is a willingness to learn, and when it comes to diversity I have that in oodles.<\/p>\n

\"\"It all started when I was at school and took part in a group exercise on teamwork. Each group had to find a solution to a problem, but one person couldn\u2019t participate in the discussions they just had to observe and make notes on how everyone contributed. In my group that observer was me, and I had to identify every time a person: suggested something new, encouraged everyone, pointed out a flaw, made a joke, summarised the situation, suggested compromise, directed the flow of conversation, etc. It quickly became apparent that you need a variety of skills and experiences to make a good team. Put all of the exact same type of people in a group and you won\u2019t get very far. From that moment onwards I appreciated diversity in every shape or form on offer, and that appreciation led me to move away from my home at 18 to live in one of England\u2019s most culturally diverse areas<\/a>: Birmingham. Five years later, I moved again to live in England\u2019s cultural capital: London. At University I took \u2018Media & Cultural Studies\u2019 and Psychology alongside my English degree, and studied feminism, race, sexuality and disability. I\u2019d grown up with gay friends and relatives, with non-dominant religious beliefs, and with those building lives around visible and invisible disabilities \u00ad\u2013 and I wanted only utter acceptance for everyone. I still do.<\/p>\n

I now live in a country (Australia) that, I\u2019m proud to say, values both its cultural heritage and welcomes new ones. Appropriation of Australia\u2019s aboriginal culture is frowned upon with absolute severity. There are many improvements still to be made legally and culturally but this is a good start. Last night I was helping my daughter Ophelia with her public speaking speech on \u2018Multiculturalism: Words Can Hurt\u2019 and from her research I learnt that 83% of Australians agree multiculturalism is good for our country and society (the Mapping Social Cohesion survey, 2016<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Mapping Social Cohesion 2016: National Report<\/p><\/div>\n

Ophelia\u2019s top tips for her fellow students were to:<\/p>\n

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  1. \"\"Use kind words to everyone around you, regardless of their race, origins, preferences or religion. Words and communication can unify us and make us strong.<\/li>\n
  2. Think of everyone as individuals, not as stereotypes. Don\u2019t use nasty labels, names or general remarks to judge people on their looks or what you think you know about them.<\/li>\n
  3. Learn more about the cultures around you and celebrate the diversity they bring us. Words can heal. Just get to know each other and it\u2019ll all be fine.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Aw, I will certainly try to follow those tips! We all know what it\u2019s like to be judged unfairly by people assuming they know you but don\u2019t! I won\u2019t always do or say the right things, but I can always try.<\/p>\n

    I will also continue learning and expanding my knowledge, and do what I can with my writing to represent diversity sensitively and convincingly. I\u2019m looking forward to the publication of my novel \u2018Towards White<\/a>\u2019 this September\/October and for readers to meet my protagonist, a woman with an invisible disability that doesn\u2019t stop her from getting what she wants!<\/p>\n

    As a creative writing tutor, I can also teach others what I\u2019ve learnt and spread the word, and I\u2019ve been booked up to teach a plethora of writing classes for adults and young writers over the coming months (details under ‘Events<\/a>‘ if you’re interested!):<\/p>\n