Yeah, you've heard that before, many times. "If you write what you know, it will show in your work."
The only problem is, most writers take this adage, and consider it a finite statement. They 'write what they know', and while the subsequent product may be fine, they have missed the whole point of the statement.
I quote from the web; "'Write what you know' isn't a guideline; it's a simple truth".
What?
Let me tell you; "Write What You Know" is NOT a boundary. It's a CHALLENGE!
It's a kick up the back-side to all the writers in the world to go out and do some RESEARCH! To ADD to what we know. To open our minds and know MORE!
If we only write what we know right now, this second, our writings will never inspire readers. How would the Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror genres have blossomed if the writers had listened to the above? We have to EXPAND what we know, then write about it.
"Write What You Know" should be re-written. Here goes:
"Write What You Know, then take a giant leap of faith; break a boundary, go into the unknown! (Then go do some research, cover your tracks so you don't make a fool of yourself.)"
Doesn't have the same punch, does it?
The only problem is, most writers take this adage, and consider it a finite statement. They 'write what they know', and while the subsequent product may be fine, they have missed the whole point of the statement.
I quote from the web; "'Write what you know' isn't a guideline; it's a simple truth".
What?
Let me tell you; "Write What You Know" is NOT a boundary. It's a CHALLENGE!
It's a kick up the back-side to all the writers in the world to go out and do some RESEARCH! To ADD to what we know. To open our minds and know MORE!
If we only write what we know right now, this second, our writings will never inspire readers. How would the Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror genres have blossomed if the writers had listened to the above? We have to EXPAND what we know, then write about it.
"Write What You Know" should be re-written. Here goes:
"Write What You Know, then take a giant leap of faith; break a boundary, go into the unknown! (Then go do some research, cover your tracks so you don't make a fool of yourself.)"
Doesn't have the same punch, does it?
To place a boundary around the writer limited to what they have personally experienced would throttle creativity. It is also laughable when you consider genres such as History, Fiction, and of course my own favorite Murder Mysteries. Naturally there is no way for the writer to participate in the first two and the third would have horrible consequences if those writers who develop and describe the killer’s actions had to perpetrate the activity on a victim first hand.
ReplyDeleteWhile research, through reading, has always been the necessary tool of the writer, with the Internet it has become a beneficial ally.