How Culture Shapes Character Point of View: 10 Things Fiction Writers Need to Know

From Edie: DiAnn Mills shares 10 ways culture shapes character point of view, influences decisions and emotions, and helps fiction writers create authentic characters and stronger stories.

How Culture Shapes Character Point of View: 10 Things Fiction Writers Need to Know

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Culture is one of the factors in choosing point of view, but the technique seldom receives the attention it deserves. Point of view can be confusing for the writer because the topic involves more than one concept.

Culture is defined as the accepted practices, arts, religion, social hierarchy, government, medicine, and pride of a people group that form attitudes and behavior. Imagine the differences in actions and opinions among people familiar to you. Consider tossing culture into the mix. 

The POV lenses require the writer to—

• Research the character’s culture.
• Select first, second, third, or omniscient perspective for the character(s).
• Determine the range of the character’s perspective in the scene: close, medium, or distant.
• Develop the character’s backstory, personality, and life experiences.
• Establish the character’s goal or problem to solve and the motivation.
• Show how setting affects a culture and the thought process.
• Study emotion and how it differs according to character.

The character’s culture is often neglected. Sometimes the writer doesn’t understand the importance of how culture affects point of view. Sometimes the writer assumes readers will attribute a character’s behavior solely to past experiences. Past experiences are an asset to the character, but culture adds more dimension and credibility.

The following are 10 reasons why culture is a critical aspect of choosing POV. 

Culture reveals:

• How decisions are made according to fundamental beliefs and traditions. 
• The outcome of a character who fails to accept the culture’s mandates.
• Whether the family is matriarchal or patriarchal. 
• How conflict is processed and resolved.
• The path of love relationships from dating to marriage.
• The character’s thought process according to where and how they are raised.
• Emotional reactions. The 7 universal emotions are happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, contempt, and surprise, but they are expressed in various ways.
• The winding path of plot can take unpredictable twists and turns.
• Language and how it is interpreted with subtle or profound meanings.
• The political environment with guidelines and laws.

Even characters living in the same area can hold very different cultural values, adding rich confusion and conflict to a story. Explore the heights and depths of culture before deciding what character(s) will best create an incredible tale. 

Which of these culture elements have you neglected to add to your writing?

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DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites readers to expect an adventure—where heart-pounding suspense meets unforgettable romance and faith shines through every challenge. Known for crafting gripping plots and richly layered characters, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?

Her novels have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists and have earned numerous honors, including the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol Awards

DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and serves as Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She is also active in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. Passionate about helping others succeed, she invests in writers through mentoring, book coaching, editing, and dynamic workshops she teaches across the country.

A self-proclaimed coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She makes her home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.

Connect with DiAnn for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively conversations at diannmills.com, or on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, and LinkedIn.