How to Manage a Story of War-Time Conflict
Learning Objective
- How to Manage a Story of War-Time Conflict.
- Participants will learn to manage/handle the emotional elements involved in telling stories of real-life conflict.
Empathy is the key to balancing narratives in conflict stories. As a writer, you are caught in a harrowing, yet precarious position where you must be true to all sides of a story and commit to telling their individual truths. The only way to balance conflict narratives is to be willing to go through the conflict as if it were yours. Reference Material
Nick Hornby: The Importance of Empathy in Writing | BookTube
Clair Canfield: The beauty of conflict | TEDxUSU
How to Manage a Story of War-Time Conflict
Tutor: Nabeelah Usman
Insightful lesson!
An enlightening session. “Empathy is rooted in truth” that got to me. It’s always difficult to balance Ethics and intentions VS structural and objectives. Great session
While covering the peace process in Northern Uganda during the LRA war, this was the greatest task i faced as a journalist. Balancing what government said, then NGOs, the international bodies and the affected communities as well as the perpetrators. Above all my duty was to ensure that that i reduced harm on both sides and paved way for a peaceful transition of the victims. Empathy was at center point but again i had to remind myself that my role was to report exactly what i was seeing without distortion. Thanks for reminding me.
This is a very rich mine of personal experience to draw from. Wow.
What I have understood from this lesson is that empathy is the thin line between telling/writing about something you’ve gone through or experienced like violence, discrimination, failed relationships among others while still being very objective. It might be a tricky balance but I feel it’s very important. Very interesting topic.
It’s important to balance all narratives while not getting clouded by reason, because many will be looking for a sense of believability in your work so they, too, can relate to how your creative work takes them to the escape they crave for; the beautiful world your story has created, and the believability it will impact in their lives too, which explains why conflict and resolution are major aspects needed (unless your story leans on the genre of suspense), which requires great suspenseful chapters to keep your readers hooked.
All sides to a story will always be valid in themselves. As a writer I am called upon to show empathy and not act judgmental in telling the story
Absolutely correct.
Couldn’t have put it any better. Maintaining fact and objectivity in this age of fake news and compromised media is Key in ensuring that the truth prevails.
empathy is usually so one sided, you find yourself telling one-sided naratives cos to be fair you are seeing things from one side or from a certain veiw point. if you are affected by the war as a writer, how do you disengage from that?
empathy is usually so one sided, you find yourself telling one-sided narratives cos to be fair you are seeing things from one side or from a certain veiwpoint. if you are affected by the war as a writer, how do you disengage from that?
Thank you. We are first humans before story tellers and empathy should be our heart and facts in our stories. Thank you.
War-Time conflict is sensitive and I think the best way to write a story like that us by separating your emotions.
Keeping in mind that you’re not the one in the story and you can take a step back and evaluate it .
It can be difficult but that is the correct thing to do, as a journalist or a writer.
“Tell the truth even though on every side what’s true to them is true.” The power of perspectives👍
Indeed.
Balancing narratives,listening and reporting or writing about conflict without being bias,telling it as it is.Learnt alot ,thanks alot
Nice background. But not very audible
The feedback is greatly appreciated. We will work on this when we evaluate the workshop.
Thank you very much. I have a request. I’ll love to read your library on this topic.
Thank you, Nabilah. These are very helpful exercises and I appreciate the reading suggestions.
Delighted to receive this feedback. We will convey this to Ms. Usman.