Aug 30 2009
Cultural stuff
You never realize how intense culture is to a person/group of people until you’re forced to write about it. Even your own culture.
I’ve had a mini bout of writer’s block for that reason. Take something you know, and try explaining it to someone who doesn’t know (or in my case, the audience may know, but I have to pretend they don’t to make the story itself seem more authentic). It can be more challenging than you’d think.
Writing about another culture has been a huge challenge. Google Earth, Wikipedia, and Google Search Engine have ALL been invaluable. haha! There are little things though I’m trying to figure out, like dialect, and whether or not there are small little restaurants remotely close to where I’m setting the story, but that also makes it fun. You learn a little something. 
And, the challenge is fun, because it keeps me on my toes. Considering the story takes place in one of the most well known cities in the world (London), I think it’s a fair trade. It gets old writing about my hometown, as it’s of little significance (unless you’re a history buff, then it’s a big deal). But the flipside is it’s easy because I know it. Each situation has its plus side.
Oh, you could write about the differences between certain cultures. Or, when cultures collide.
I could go on and on. I usually wind up writing about how cultures collide. When I start down this path I wind up pissing someone off.
Just my thoughts on the subject.