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Welcome to IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It's a haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of our fearless ninja leader Alex Cavanaugh. Thank you to the awesome cohosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
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September 4 question - Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?
The rule "Write What You Know" could have easily set me up for failure. To me, the wording implied that a writer should not attempt to write about anything in which they are lacking knowledge. I had some experience with police work after working as a police reservist and part time peace officer for five years. I also had experience working in a hospital, and years of experience working for insurance companies. But I had never fired a gun at anyone or been shot at - for any reason. Nor had I served in war, known the first thing about gas gangrene, adoptions in Vietnam, or the first thing about Carrara marble.
Yikes, what's a writer to do? Quit? Or learn how to utilize the library for research through books and the use of fiche machines? My first mystery novel came about mostly thanks to libraries. Later, of course, the Internet and Google took over. But only after I better understood that "writing what you know" meant picking a topic you are comfortable with writing about and then doing the research to fill in whatever information you don't already know.
How do you interpret the rule "Write What You Know?"
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Yeah, that "write what you know thing" is BS. How would anyone ever write sci-fi or fantasy? :-P
ReplyDeleteGood point C.D.! Imagination is key.
ReplyDeleteSeveral people mentioned that one today. No one would write about anything new if we did that!
ReplyDeleteI always wonder who came up with this rule and what they meant to convey with this advice.
DeleteBecause we all know a collection of vampires and werewolves to write about!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be interesting!
DeleteYes, that's a tricky one. I'm glad your reseacrh allowed you to fill in the blanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne.
DeleteI think that rule has been a snag for most everyone at the beginning. It sounds so clear but yeah, it's not what it sounds like. I vote we rewrite it. ;)
ReplyDeleteI cast my vote with you, Jean. When writing a memoir, the logic of such a rule makes sense; and often life experiences will help fill in the blanks for reactions and emotions. Maybe a better rule would be to choose to write about what you want to know more about.
DeleteI write speculative fiction. I'm sure I know all there is to know about magic, shapeshifters, and space travels. Don't you? And if I don't know something, I invent it. The main challenge in writing speculative fiction is being consistent in your details.
ReplyDeleteImagination is a writer's best tool, Olga, and your ability to write about magic and shapeshifters is your secret power.
DeleteI love research, luckily! It's handy not only for plot but for books set in different locations, too! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, I think research is the fun recess part of the school of writing.
DeleteThis was a good answer! If everyone followed the “write what you know” rule to a T, there would be no fantasy or science fiction. I like how you reworded the rule.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim. And there would be lots of other boring genres, too, like murder mysteries!
DeleteThe same as you, but if I don't know about something, I can learn all about it in depth... then I CAN write what I know. hehehe
ReplyDeleteAnother benefit of being a writer - always learning something new, and keeping up with advanced developments in our field of interest.
DeleteMy 4th novel was about the Vietnam War so I found a VW veteran willing to help me. I've talked to many soldiers, policemen, and behaviourists. People like helping. It's inspiring.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Joylene. And I also read a couple of informative books, including Women At War by Elizabeth Norman, to experience some of their emotions -albeit, second hand.
DeleteWriting is definitely an act of empathy, and research is our best friend. I feel like I'm doing well when I can find the emotional heart of a moment--whether I've literally "been there" or not. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
After researching a topic, it also makes it so much easier to write the scene from a personal point of view. As you mentioned - finding the emotional heart of a moment.
DeleteI always think there are two ways to interpret that rule - literally and broadly. You know human nature so you wrote about that in your crime novels. I know what it is like to work on a First Nation reserve but nothing about being a cop. Should I only write about white cis middle-class women? Fuhgedaboudid!
ReplyDeleteLove your attitude, Jan.
DeleteI did think 'write what you know' is write what you have knowledge of but not necessary your own experience but still, it really help in writing if you have actually have done the things your write so you know it's accurate.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, write what you're comfortable with because readers can tell you're not comfortable with something when they read the words, at least, I think so.
Have a lovely day
You go to the heart of writing, Iissa - readers know if the author is not comfortable with their topic.
DeleteThat particular rule hitched me up for years! There's no more stifling regulation for a writer of fantasy. It made me feel all the time like I was doing something wrong because I was not writing what I knew but what I imagined :)
ReplyDeleteAnd such liberation, Yvette, when realizing we can write about things we can only imagine!
DeleteThe write what you know rule was my answer for this month's blog question too. Thing is, what I know is limited. And it took awhile to realize that by following this rule eventually my writing will become limited and stale too. Then my college professor said the opposite, to write what you don't know. Ever since then I follow both rules. I write what I know then add and expand on what I don't know through research.
ReplyDeleteAnd research is my favorite part of writing so it becomes a win-win situation for all.
ReplyDelete