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Using pop culture in writing is a very touchy subject. Because there are some writers who say not to use it at all. Then are some who feel that using pop culture references is okay in writing. I tend to say that using pop culture references are fine to use in writing as long as they are used correctly. Because you do not want to flood your story with the references. With that I mean do not have your entire story be based upon the reference. Use it to distinguish a time or a place or setting or theme, do not drown your piece in the reference.

For example, lets say that the character in the story is going to Woodstock. With using the reference the story now has a set time and place. But if the writer goes into the tales of what happened then that would be flooding the piece. It would be to much history and not enough telling of a story. The reader would be lost. For is the story about Woodstock or about the journey.
Another example, lets say that the writer makes note of a particular song of an era. Then the writer has approximated a time for the piece, and the writer could use the meaning of the song to set a mood in the writing. For instance, using the song "Strawberry Wine," by Deana Carter. If I used that then I would one set the time of the writing to have happened at least in the late 1990s. And two, I would use the reference of a lost summer love and the lost of innocence, and use those as potential themes in the writing.
Remember to use a pop culture reference in writing is to refer to the event. Not have the event explained or retold.

Learn more about this author, Molly Mae Champion.
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