Why I Write About Identity & Belonging
This is a huge topic, and I like to keep my posts relatively short, so this will just be a surface discussion of why identity and belonging are such strong themes, and why they tend to appear not only in my own writing, but in a lot of stories.
Aside from the universal nature of them, themes of identity and belonging have been major ones in my own life. So, as a writer, I am drawn to these aspects of existence. I’ve always been fascinated by human identity and the search we all seem to have for a place to call home. They’re massive themes to explore, for sure, but let me explain at the surface why we should.
Why Identity & Belonging?
Universal Themes
Most of my stories tackle themes of identity and belonging. Regardless of cultural background, age, or life experiences, the search for understanding oneself and finding a sense of belonging resonates with pretty much everyone. Through my writing, I approach these themes not only because they’ve been so huge in my own life, but because they are themes that unite us all, and I want my work to connect with as many people as possible.
Diversity Is Important (and Interesting)
Writing about identity and belonging allows me to celebrate diversity. Each character becomes a way to explore and express a unique experience. No two people are the same in real life, so no two characters are the same in our fictional worlds, and learning about their lives and everything that contributes to who they are makes for interesting stories. Characters grapple with the intersections of identity, whether it's the clash of tradition and modernity, the nuances of holding several identities at once, or the challenges of reconciling multiple cultural influences. As writers, we get to put that down on paper, both for ourselves and others.
Confronting Prejudice and Stereotypes
Identity narratives ideally confront prejudice and challenge stereotypes, both my own (because we all have them ingrained in us) and others’. Characters are a way to defy societal expectations and break free from the confines of narrow assumptions. Through their stories, I hope to contribute to a broader dialogue that dismantles harmful stereotypes and fosters a more inclusive understanding of identity. We get to celebrate the beauty of individuality and, as I said earlier, no two people are the same, which is a good thing! Through story, we’re able to really see the beauty of our differences and how each of us contributes to the collective as individuals. I like to think that people will build empathy and understanding while they’re in the heads of my characters. Even if that’s not the goal, but rather a happy consequence, by inviting readers into the lives of characters navigating these themes, we inevitably foster compassion and open dialogues that bridge gaps of misunderstanding. Ideally, this could play a part in creating a world where diverse stories are embraced and celebrated not only in our fiction, but in the real world as well.
The Impact of Belonging
I’m not talking about physical belonging; I’m talking about emotional belonging. For example: While I’ve attended many churches, there have been only a couple where I’ve felt I belonged, and that wasn’t because of the place itself; it was because of the people. The community. The emotional connections I made there. The opposite is also true. I’ve attended churches that looked great on paper, but once I was there I felt my otherness so acutely it didn’t matter what other positive qualities the church espoused. It’s often the same within family and other relationships. Although we may be physically able to enter a place or relationship, belonging comes from emotional safety and resonance. Through my writing, I often dive into the emotional intricacies of characters seeking connection, acceptance, and a place where they feel understood. Our hearts are always seeking a place to call home, and most of us have felt we didn’t belong at some point in our lives. Stories can offer hope for those still struggling, and affirmation for those who have found belonging.
Impact on Well-Being
Identity and belonging have a profound impact on mental and emotional well-being. In my fiction, characters grapple with issues of self-acceptance, the weight of societal expectations, and the transformative power of finding a sense of belonging. Through their struggles, I can contribute in some way to conversations surrounding mental health and well-being. As someone whose own struggles with identity and belonging led to many mental and emotional struggles throughout their life, it’s super important to me to show what these connections can do for a person’s overall experience of life. Humans are relational beings, and so much of what we understand about ourselves comes from our relationship to other people and the world around us; that’s just being human. So often we isolate—or, I should say, I isolate (I can only speak for myself)—and that lack of belonging is intensely apparent. For others, we might feel perfectly fine alone, but even then I posit that this is a defense mechanism rather than a truly felt belief. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gale Honeyman explores that particular theme in a really strong way, and as a result it gained a wide readership. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings and we’re all wired for true belonging, so when we’re able to write on this topic and follow a character on their journey grappling with this theme, we’re welcoming everyone else to feel seen and understood, hopefully offering an opportunity for improved sense of well-being in that reader as a result. Even when our stories cannot provide answers, it can provide camaraderie and validation, which is oftentimes more important.
I want to tell the stories that define us as individuals and bind us communally. Through characters exploring identity and belonging, I ultimately hope to provide a safe container through which readers might also be able to allow themselves an inward glance—who are you, what contributed to who you are today, and how do you relate with the world around you as a result? Although we are all our own individually unique people, there are many commonalities that unite us. And each of us has a place where we belong. Finding ourselves is worth the effort, as is sharing those stories so that others might not feel so alone as they do the same.
