Some educated-like folk automatically scoff at the use of pop culture in writing. This is a serious mistake. These so-called "serious" writers often suffer from a misguided notion that pop culture is inferior and beneath them. This is the same kind of baseless snobbery that used to keep real words out of the dictionary because they were used most by the lower classes. It should be avoided in good writing.

The real argument used against pop culture is that it will date your work. This is entirely true. When you long for your work to be a masterpiece for all time - as all of us secretly do - this sounds like a solid reason to avoid pop culture.

But this is actually a strength that can make pop culture a powerful tool, if used correctly.

Consider the fact that even Shakespeare referenced what could be considered his pop culture. Let's face it, the old Bard's work is definitely dated. But it is still timeless. How does his work endure despite being dated? His references help share his culture. Many of his biggest fans today also relish the culture that his work grew out of. And footnotes help.

The vast majority of writing done today is designed to be consumed by the reader in the immediate future. Think magazines, newspapers, blogs and David Letterman's Top Ten list. Writing for all of these mediums thrive on freshness.

So say you're dusting off a piece you wrote several years ago but that never found a market. How do you make it look fresh? Throw in a reference to hours wasted reading Perez Hilton. Pow! It's this year. Add something about "General Betray-Us" and it's this month. Huzzah! (HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Television writers do this constantly, then they re-record one scene and it looks like the whole show was taped yesterday. See if you can spot it.)

I know what you're saying, though. You're saying "That's great, Matt, but I want to write the great American novel." Well, don't despair. Use pop culture in reverse. Is your novel set in the 70s? The Village People might be a part of the novel's background. 80s? Hammer pants. 90s? Heroin.

Keep your references real. Keep them original. Keep them accurate. But please, for the love of the Soup Nazi, don't shun an entire section of reality in the interest of snobbery.

*Matt steps down from soup box.*

Learn more about this author, Matthew Christopher.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to use pop culture references in writing?
We want to hear your view. Write now!