Comments on: Write what you know?

By: Karin Beery

Karin Beery — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:26:22 +0000

Great thoughts, Cindy! I feel the same way: I know what it’s like to work in the hospitality industry…but can I write about that for the rest of my life?

Thanks for your perspective

By: Eden Tyler

Eden Tyler — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:05:44 +0000

This is a fabulous post!
You’ve done a great job of explaining this misunderstood piece of advice.
I’ve always felt that what the phrase meant is to write what you know about. Or, write what you feel. I have actually heard people say to write what you love. But it still never quite made sense.
Thanks for putting this into perspective and helping so many writers realize they can write anything so long as they put themselves into it!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:45:51 +0000

You’re right Anica, in fantasy, if something can be true, you’d better get your facts straight. I research tons, because I want it to be one hundred percent accurate if it’s not made up in my head.

On one novel, I contacted the Cincinnati Police Dept. and now have a good friend there who helps me out, making sure all my info is accurate. Love ya Tom Lind!

And yes, you can’t be scared to ask questions!

By: Susan J. Reinhardt

Susan J. Reinhardt — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:02:58 +0000

Thanks, Cindy, for the encouragement to tackle subjects foreign to us. Things only remain unknown if we don’t research.

Blessings,
Susan

By: Anica

Anica — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:27:12 +0000

This makes some very good points.

In terms of writing fantasy elements, you do know what you’re doing – at least, you know better than anyone else does. No one can tell you your magic “works wrong.” (Although you do, of course, want to be consistent and smart about fantasy, just like anything else.) And when – even within a fantasy setting – you write about something real, research is invaluable, and often easy and fun. It’s funny that you mention horses; they are actually a big example of this because they occur so often in fantasy. Some people seem to think that because they’re in the position to make up how, say, vampires work, they can also make up how horses work.

I’ve also found secondhand experience fabulous. I live very close to two colleges, and know a number of professors with a wide range of specialties; I’ve also never been shy about asking weird questions of my doctor/optometrist/horseback-riding friends.

By: Crimogenic

Crimogenic — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:22:06 +0000

Great post, Cindy. I too struggle with figuring out how to write what I know, but you explanation in your post, makes perfect sense.

By: Eileen Astels Watson

Eileen Astels Watson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:05:59 +0000

Great post, Cindy! I always cringed when I heard that early on in my writing until I discovered it really meant experiences. Research can fill in the blanks, but unless you have first hand experience in all the different emotions it’s difficult to write them authentically. Of course, that means being fearless, and opening up your experiences to be shared, however fictionally, for others to read. But so worth the challenge.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:47:04 +0000

Great post Cindy! I felt the same way. I had so little knowledge of anything. No special skills. But I can feel, and that’s what I’m trying to learn to write.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:32:36 +0000

It was my pleasure, Sarah! And I love all these comments. There are so many amazing writers out there and they make even the most normal of tasks seem interesting to read about. Putting your own unique thoughts and experiences into a novel can really illuminate it for a reader!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:11:19 +0000

Many of my characters do things I do, only better. And we can learn new things through research and give them to our characters.

Thanks for joining us Cindy!