What Does “Write What You Know” Really Mean?
I don’t know how often you’ve heard it, but it’s certainly reached cliché status – that advice to “write what you know.” It’s advice that’s given whether you write fiction, non-fiction or poetry. But what does it really mean? Could it mean never exploring something new? Doesn’t always writing what you know mean boredom?
Well, maybe. If you’ve been writing for any length of time, you’ve probably got a specialty or two. You know, for example if fiction is your thing, or non-fiction. You’ve also lived for awhile… even if you’re a brand new writer, not yet out of high school or junior high, you’ve got a collection of experiences.
It’s those experiences the cliché, “write what you know” really refers to. For those experiences are, for the most part, shared one way or another by lots of other folks. When you draw on your experiences and filter it through your unique perspective, you’re on your way to writing something others want to read.
Actually, it might be better to say “start from your experience.” That is, pick one, and then do what it takes. That might be research, or developing a character, or finding a mood or, most likely, some sort of combination. Using your experiences as a jumping off place gives you an anchor and allows all sorts of room to expand and explore.
Write well and often,
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POSTED IN: Musings From A Freelance Writer
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