Your work will be authentic, you can rely on your experience to tell a more nuanced story, you will save precious hours of research and you will (hopefully) connect with your audience. that will be useful to you. 1 Shares. This is equally true of readily available and obscure sources. Write What You Don't Know I have since learned to take every writing advice with an enormous grain of salt, (which is why I am hesitant to dole my own out). Confidence for a writer is a fleeting thing, so any time that you have it is a comforting time. You’re looking for inspiration and for whatever gifts the universe might give you. I knew nothing about the Bible before I started writing 'The year of Living Biblically'. Mining vs. prospecting: don’t get lost out there, Sometimes you know the question you want the answer to (I need to know the difference between furnaces and boilers) and sometimes you have a general knowledge gap (I don’t know much about the history of Sweden or its culture but I want to set my short story there) and sometimes you have something in between (I need to develop my character more and I’m wondering what are common hobbies or interests for a middle-class Swiss man living in the heart of Geneva. You might be wondering: if I don’t know about the person, place, or plot, how do I write about it? Write What You Don't Know. My sister is a therapist. In the interview, Craig shares one of his best writing exercises that his mentor, and former boss, Eben Pagan taught him. Every writer has heard the adage: write about what you know. This type of research takes a lot of time. Moon Unit Zappa, writer and daughter of Frank Zappa, is publishing a memoir. With persistence and ingenuity, you can learn almost anything cheap and well. Here’s what happens when you write what you don’t know. It could, however, mean you write on themes and subjects you’re familiar with, as I point out in the blog post mentioned above. Or, if we do make things up, we employ the deftness and elegance of … It’s a process of discovery. You don’t … Don’t worry about what you don’t know—imagine, create, and make it up as you go! All fiction writers, especially genre writers, end up having to write what they don't know. Paul entered that magical realm wherein dwell improv comedians, off-the-cuff banquet speakers … and you … I asked if anyone was from Pakistan and had the great fortune of hosting a smart young woman. When you’re finished, post your practice in the comments section. Even The War of Art was a flyer for me. The literary Internet’s most important stories, every day. Write What You Don’t Know. Ninety-five percent or more of what I learn doesn’t make it into the story, but because I enjoy learning, and I suspect that everything is tied together, this doesn’t trouble me. Posted on January 8, 2014 by J Reid. Here are three ways to do it: 1. Get organized before you start. I don’t know much about the future beyond the gloom and doom scenarios but I like to write about it. The grunt work of research and rewriting can come later. Writing an obituary is an awful job. Examine your results carefully, freeze-framed and magnified when possible. Writing what you don't know and doing it in an informed and imaginative way is what makes the process worthwhile. Still. Most of the plotlines deal with relationships, either romantic or family-focused. The answer? To tell you the truth: I love doing that. It’s important writing because it’s part of a permanent record and it lives on the internet forever. Writing what you don’t know is hard, and screwing it up is easy, and most authors really don’t want to accidentally write something harmful. Find the universal truth that makes us all human by writing the emotion you know. Everything I write is at least partially based on something that I have experienced. The last point is: Don’t Write What You Know. Research: If you want to write about something you aren’t familiar with, research is a good starting point. It plays well with MS Word and other formats (rtf, txt) so you aren’t “trapped” in their environment. I have never run or worked in a naturist resort, still I write about it in the Naked Crow books. When I wanted to know how badly damaged Khan Younis had been by bombings, I searched images of the town rather than look for articles that would specify the attacks it had suffered. He Has Collaborated On A … Don’t look for the answer, the answer will be dull. Did Melville fight a white whale? Track down the author’s contact information through her publisher, social media sites, or public records. I was researching Pakistan for a novel when I heard that an organization in my city was bringing exchange students to the area. I like Scrivener. However, the well-known axiom may prove to be lacking when a client calls on you to create quality content concerning a topic about which you … Continue reading "How to Write what you DON’T Know" Write what you don’t know. Sometimes, even having experienced severe trauma, like rape, you can't write about it because you can't remember a thing about it. Same with Last of the Amazons. Art of black dragon writing by Ciruelo Cabral Unless you want to invest the necessary time researching and reading about this community, then, it seems a recipe for disaster. Do you write what you know? There is great joy to writing stories and learning something new is a great benefit when we begin to “write what we don’t know”. My father is a criminal defense attorney. My point is this: write what you know, when you have the freedom and capacity to do so. This is a good reminder to verify online research whenever possible. Research the heck out of what you don’t know and blend that with the emotion you know. You know, the fun part of the job. It began as a dare to myself, and also a kind of surrender to life’s limitations. Writing on things you don’t know helps you to develop the ability to look at the world like a child does, wide-eyed and staring without an ounce of self-consciousness. Good writing isn’t inevitably drawn from direct experience. Of course, that’s a good start for any writer—sit down and write something you’re familiar with. 2. Why don’t you know what to write? When I was in Chicago, I walked down to the building that holds the Asylum Office and discovered that what I’d seen on Google images (a huge American flag above the front lobby’s desk) was actually an immense screen. But what if you want to go beyond your expertise? I always choose good and cheap, which means I’m not fast. You can also work backwards when it comes to setting. Determine ahead of time if the author is a well-credentialed person, what the book or article discusses and if the author has a perspective (liberal, conservative, religious, etc.) Remember This: Write What You Don't Know By Ken Kesey: Ken Kesey Is the Author ofOne Flew Over the Cuckoo'S Nest.'' Write what you know, and then write what you don’t know. There’s nothing wrong with starting a story from a place you know well, but where you take us should be far beyond your experiences and ultimately, to a … Last night, I was re-listening to this interview Mike Dillard did with pro copywriter Craig Clemens. You aren’t going to plagiarize (of course! My mother used to run a business managing rental property. If it motivates you to write a story, then do it. (Okay, maybe a little.) Here’s what happens when you write what you don’t know. As nonfiction writers, we’re proud of our fealty to the truth. How to Write About Something You Know Nothing About. Write about jealousy, betrayal, true love, honesty, perseverance. You can learn, and what you can’t learn, you can gloss over and hope someone else reads it before some poor old lady ruins her nice hardwood floor. Google search for garden clubs in your area and contact them. If you don't have any experience about something, you will always get interested about different aspect of it, or present it in a different … This type of research is free, but it’s also fun and yields unexpected treasures. This point of view is from writer A.J. To write what you don’t know, try these strategies: 1. You need to be aware that life is funny and weird and wonderful and deeply complex. “Write what you know” is an idiom in the creative writing world as common as “show, don’t tell.” These nuggets of writing advice are well meaning, but sometimes, advice without explication can be as useless as a bag of potpourri in a landfill. I am interested in ethical dilemmas presented by particular types of jobs, but instead of thinking about the job first, I’ve been thinking about whom I know, the jobs they do and the experiences they’ve had. Still, you’ll often have to buy these more specialized, academic works. Don’t worry about making your story match everything you’ve heard, researched, or witnessed. When you’re writing what you don’t know, the trick to pulling it off is writing with authority. 3 min read. It’s usually a good idea to double-check these things with targeted research. But we can challenge our imaginations and think differently by writing what we don’t know. You don’t have to know all about the world of S&M to write a good story about it. Writers are creatures of comfort, rituals and rhythms that we are loathe to break. Don’t want to go overboard and ruin the meal, but if you do it just right you’ll leave the reader with a taste for more. There’s a fair logic behind many of these: getting stuck with writers’ block is a nightmarish hell, akin to having all your sinuses block up simultaneously while also being creatively constipated. Read authoritative books on topics related to your subject. Start asking questions even before you know what you are interested in. If it’s a minor detail, even leave a gap in your piece and look it up later to avoid the distraction. Philip Pullman: Don’t Write What You Know “Some people would say “Always write about what you know”. Created by Grove Atlantic and Electric Literature. Pin. P.S. Identify which type of research you are doing and make sure that you don’t get derailed. He said 'I'm not a fan of write what you know… 'If you don't know, find out. Write about what you DON’T know. 1 Comment. Research. You obviously love to write, so I encourage you to keep writing, and I think in time what you love to write and your love for writing will come together with such force the world will take notice. My husband is a doctor. We’ve heard it over and over: write what you know. Viewed 566 times 9. Email me at hello@brookeadamslaw.com and I’ll give you all the details. To me, it seems like a shame to say that creative people can only create art about people just like them. Mark Twain — ‘Write what you know.’ To see what your friends thought of this quote, please sign up! The idea panics them for two reasons. Be patient and open. Julian Hoxter's Write What You Don't Know is an authentic standout among the growing number of titles treating screenwriting education.The book is fresh, often funny, always insightful, and enormously affirming not only for screenwriters but for all people who love worthy film and literature. Write what you don’t know. It … You just have to be courageous, start, and the ideas will grow. None of us … Do you think H.G. btb.gc.ca Lors qu e vous rédigez, vous t ra nsmettez de l'information sur un sujet qu e vous maîtrisez . But some minds can’t help but stray. There’s nothing easier and more fun and rewarding than that. Writing what you don’t know. This phrase would be echoed to death while I pursued my MFA, and don’t get me wrong, it’s great advice, but it’s also the mostobvious advice you could give someone. You can connect with Melissa through her. As nonfiction writers, we’re proud of our fealty to the truth. This strategy also comes in handy when you read a book, such as one of the sociological studies mentioned earlier, and have follow up questions. I’ve met aspiring writers who want to do this, but they limit their scope to what they do for a living. Read fiction by people with a relevant religion, ethnicity, or experience. I attract that. The first is that I’m a terrible writer. Write What You Don’t Know Written by David Berkowitz Posted on October 19, 2020 November 26, 2020 Less than 0 min read Last week , I wrote about why service providers should consider the Service as a Product (SaaP) model, and it sparked some of the most interesting conversations I’ve had that stemmed from this newsletter. That’s the fun of writing what you don’t know! If you’ve been with me for the last little while, you’ll know that I’ve been sharing my struggles with my writing lately. So, if you remember, I was also writing for Catch Him & Keep Him at the time. It's perfectly good advice. Great advice… Just not for copywriters, and you’ll see why in a second. Your readers will believe you and go along for the ride. I’ve never had the experience of running into dinosaurs and giant lizards, and again, in Naked Crow that happens. Like all received wisdom, this is true only to a point. We don’t make things up. If you want to break out of a writing rut, take a look at your past and present work. They are then cast off on an adventure (I know this probably sounds very cliche) and it goes off in any direction. Write with confidence. If you build a habit of writing every day by transcribing your thoughts, you won’t have an ideas shortage. I often start my novel with characters (either based loosely on people I know, or who I’ve met or even who I’ve glanced walking in the street). Write what you love. Your job, first and foremost, is to write about interesting characters dealing with interesting problems. I challenge you to finish them. This common advice may have served you well in picking a topic for an essay for a creative writing class in high school or college. I like Scrivener. You don’t know what to write about. How To Write About What You Don’t Know. Write what you know. Sure, there's a vague impression of not being sure and maybe a funny anecdote or two about how you messed something up, but the real specifics are gone.. That's a shame because the people after you would love to know what you found out. Little blobs, amoeba ideas, floating around in your subconscious will meet, join, split and multiply. For example, I enjoy writing stories that deal with pregnancy, but I’ve never been pregnant. Bill Womack on October 16, 2008 3:33 pm. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Jhumpa Lahiri: On Family, Banality, and the Art of Conversation. But don’t we usually interpret it as, write what you already know? I might use a hobby to develop his character.). But even if you take Brett Anthony Johnston’s advice and write what you don’t know, you might be surprised. It can be a big challenge. Join over 450,000 readers who are saying YES to practice. He winged it. I didn’t disavow my penchant for realism, or deny the importance of accuracy. I wouldn't even try to write about in Battle Sword handling. When you’re writing what you don’t know, the trick to pulling it off is writing with authority. This type of thing won’t be at your local library but it might be at a university library and you can get it through inter-library loan if you work at a university or have a friend who does. I’ve only known and written in an academic way, because that’s how I was taught in schools. Don’t give up to all those shiny distractions and keep writing! Don't be afraid to write about something you know littel about. Personal blogs, online support groups, organizations’ websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and PDF’s of conference materials posted online aren’t necessarily written to provide the researcher with information, and they may not always serve well for academic sourcing, but for fiction writers they are a goldmine. It’s sound advice. Or consider a new setting, either a time or place you’ve never been. — and others who tout: Write what you know. It shouldn’t trouble you either, unless you’re in a hurry, and then you better pick a different profession. But a few years ago, when I was much less sure about my skill, I would actively seek it out and apply other authors’ words of wisdom with a dedication that can only be described as religious. The internet is a fantastic resource for everything you need to know about anything. The great thing about being a writer is that we can research the world we are writing about. But most of all write what you’d rather not know’. Write what you know can also just mean that you write from the heart, and that you put across thoughts and emotions on the page that you are familiar with, and know well. It won’t be fast, but I warned you: art never is. He didn’t lie awake the night before plotting out the tale for the next day. All you need is a good idea and little know how to get started, and by know how I mean research. When you’re mining, find what you need and go back to work. Welles actually went to the moon? Write What You Don't Know: POV and Description By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy At the Decatur Book Festival years ago, I listened to a panel that included author Kathleen Duey. Too many beginning authors get paralyzed by this: "But I don't know … Share. And I don’t really know what it’s like to be a 41-year-old woman that has recently been divorced, and is just starting to date again, and feeling frustrated. When I started Gates of Fire, I knew absolutely nothing about the ancient Spartans. Create characters that rise above discrimination, bias, ignorance, and entitlement. Tweet. 9. That’s the first problem. Whether you like it or not, fiction holds a higher expectation. Write a short scene that features this character or setting. I read all of them for the next five years. My problem is that for plot reasons, I need one of my characters to grow up in a culture and environment I am not familiar with. I’ve been thinking about this since I wrote my recent novella That’s Ms. Santa. Fiction should be all about the imagination. I draw from the experiences of friends and family, from novels and other short stories, from online research, and—I’ll admit it—from TV shows and movies. There are a lot of ways to organize information, but you need to pick one and stick with it throughout your project. We all write what we know - how could we not? If you are researching Pakistan, you can plug “Pakistan” into Amazon and get a list of several books, but mainstream books are often written at the macro level of political and cultural features, and fiction writers often need a peak at the micro level: real people, living real lives. If you can do this, you might just get away with the fact that other things in your writing don’t quite ring true, like the setting or finer cultural details. ‘Just start,’ she said, ‘there’s no wrong way.’ I imagined real writers exhaled words in majestic, cursive calligraphy, while staring at my words on the page only reminded me that I held the pen all wrong. And doing a little research never hurt anyone. Haven’t you been writing a free-flowing draft every day? I recently attended a creative writing conference with a … BUT MOST OF ALL WRITE WHAT YOU'D RATHER NOT KNOW.' From our very first endeavors in creative writing, we’re told to write what we know. I couldn’t find that level of specific, personal information anywhere else. Want to know about gardening for your character the horticulturist? One of the most misunderstood directives new writers get is to "write what you know." Many other countries publish news in English, such as Pakistan’s Dawn. “Write what you know,” counseled Mark Twain—or was it Ernest Hemingway?—and ever since, both aspiring and accomplished authors have treated this advice as an article of faith, mapping their fiction inside boundaries drawn by direct experience. I wanted to write a story set at a U.S. Asylum Office, so I chose Chicago because it’s the closest location to me and I was going there for a weekend anyway. Now I have a friend and direct source in Karachi. When you’re prospecting, you’re not sure what you’ll find, or where you’ll find it. This goes for the publication date of other media as well. Active 1 month ago. Many books on writing tell you to write about what you know. When you see no friend, just a foe, And loneliness creeps on you like never before. Think about a character that is unlike you: different age, sex, or background. One day I decided to stop letting fear prevent me from trying to write certain stories, specifically the fear of not knowing things. I have friends who are teachers, speech therapists, wild life biologists, who work at homeless shelters and manage financial affairs for mentally ill people. 4 min read. I can't write about Combat, or killing. Part of writing is exploring things through stories and characters. You don’t have to have sex with the same gender to put your fantasies down on paper. ‘I don’t know how to write,’ I replied. When you want to know something like whether there are paved roads in Uzbekistan’s small villages or what the texture of a palm tree’s trunk is like, include image searches, Google Earth, YouTube and other graphic sources in your repertoire. Or maybe you do, but you don’t have the motivation to write it. Ask strangers for help, even if they live half a world away. Write as if you know exactly what you’re describing. When researching the U.S. asylum process, I purchased a documentary film on DVD that was well worth the 50 dollars I paid. Hoxter draws on his wealth of experience teaching young film … But most of all write what you’d rather not know’. Write as if you know exactly what you’re describing. There are some things you can’t know until you write about them. When I was researching Pakistan I signed up for the New York Times’ service in which I received an email with a link to any story that mentioned Pakistan. Same with Last of the Amazons. How to write about what you don't know? Jacobs. I often find myself writing about characters like me: 20-something women living in the Midwest in the present time. Don’t worry about making your story match everything you’ve heard, researched, or witnessed. Instead, I resolved to find out what I could achieve with research. without knowing quite what you’ll do with it. Even The War of Art was a flyer for me. How to Write What You DON’T Know and Not Offend EVERYONE. I don’t think that’s good advice at all. For example the combination of “women” “Pakistan” “living” “conditions” and “middle-class” turns up a paper that cites an article in Contributions to Indian Sociology. Your readers will believe you and go along for the ride. You don’t have to know it all when you begin whatever you’re writing. Posted on June 21, 2011 by Michael Traven 90% of writing books and advice columns use the same old phrase “Write what you know.” I understand the general thought behind this cute little trope, but it doesn’t hold water for me. But what if you have this great idea for a novel that involves mutant sea life and a brave oceanographer who has the brains and courage to stop the rogue whales from attacking kayakers? ), but if you read a novel by a Serbian man set in a Serbian town, you may learn facts you can use fairly, without copyright infringement. In my experience the result is a whole lot more interesting. However, Ken Kesey, author of amongst other things the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – used to tell young writers “Don’t write what you know, but write what you don’t know. I'm working on a Dragon/human story. Carlo on October 31, 2020 at 4:11 pm Great article Joe!!! Look for reviews and abstracts of the work and read whatever you can about the author, including their own Facebook, Twitter, or website. You’ve probably heard this old maxim before… write what you know. I am a strong believer in writing what you know. The more money you are going to spend, the more research you should do. Or, if we do make things up, we employ the deftness and elegance of signal phrases. Have you ever tried writing what you don’t know? We English speakers are lucky: much of the rest of the world bothers to learn our language. Write What You Don’t Know Write What You Don’t Know Writers are creatures of comfort, rituals and rhythms that we are loathe to break. Software programs can help. Same with Killing Rommel. Do you set all of your stories in the same location or time period? Here’s why. It’s inexpensive, powerful, well supported by its makers, and specifically designed for book writers. Readers get enough of reality from the media and news organisations. You don’t have to have it all mapped out. About That Wave of Anti-Racist Bestsellers Over the Summer... How John Le Carré Reinvented the Spy Novel, The Most Iconic Crime Movies Set During Christmas, The Night Jacqueline Winspear Helped Her Father Steal a Christmas Tree, When "Normal" People Snap: The Unnervingly Universal Potential for Violence. Photo by Clark Young on Unsplash. But don’t turn away a project just because you don’t know anything about the topic. Did Steinbeck travel across the dust bowl? Look at and listen to local media. Write what you don’t know (yet) One of the most common, and most commonly quoted, pieces of advice to writers is to ‘write what you know’, a line generally attributed to Mark Twain. Write with confidence. When I read a book or watch a movie, I don’t want a sermon, I want an adventure, an exploration of the human psyche. Here’s the good news: there are ways you can write what you don’t know and still get the details right. No? People love to talk and they’ll tell you things you could not possibly have imagined. Write What You Don't Know. Write what you don’t know. Ruud Hein | March 14th, 2012. If this isn’t your thing, then come up with an alternative, but keep in mind that the more research you do, the more you need some way to organize the material so you can find it and use it. There’s an old saying in the literary community, “write what you know.” Ideally, writers across our industry—bloggers, content marketers, social media managers— would be able to follow that advice. On Writing What You Don’t Know. "Write What You Don't Know" is a friendly manual for aspiring screenwriters. You’ll have a more direct experience and learn things books and articles never mention. When you write, you transmit information on a topic that you know well. Here are some tips on writing what you don’t know. Write What You Don’t Know. What you don’t know, Is that you have a best friend in you, To whom your heart you can just pour. We don’t make things up. One overlooked source is the work of sociologists. Screenwriting gurus exhort writers to write "what you know". Write the extraordinary character, the unbelievable situation and the imaginary world. Share 1. You need to want to know more. But while writing what you know is definitely useful in one sense, writing what you don’t know can be just as rewarding. To write what you don’t know, try these strategies: There are a lot of ways to organize information, but you need to pick one and stick with it throughout your project. The Muse enters the picture. Ask Question Asked 4 years, 7 months ago. “Write what you know” is a phrase that has been following me since I started studying creative writing during my undergraduate years. It encourages you to move beyond your comfort zones in search of stories. Be sure to note the date of any images and videos you find so you don’t introduce unintentional anachronisms. Nor is the advice to write what you think people will like. You’ll also get a free copy of our eBook 14 Prompts: Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Melissa Tydell is a freelance writer, content consultant, and blogger who enjoys sharing her love of the written word with others. We shouldn’t bother about other people at all when we write. People love to talk about their professions and passions. By Sarah Penner. Consider media such as documentaries and music albums. Be sure to double-check facts if they are critical, especially if they might be controversial. Your imperfections you may show, It may be difficult to hide that scar. Write what you don’t know. On the surface, this is contradictory advice, but it is still true. You might be surprised how easy it is to reach someone in India or Hungary. After all, if you’re writing fiction, it’s totally okay to let your imagination take over. Don’t worry about writing what you know – write in order to know. I started writing on Medium at the start of 2017. Software programs can help. You should also try to write about things that you know little or nothing about. There’s nothing wrong with that, but by getting outside my comfort zone, I open myself up to discover something new and fresh and fun. Write what you know. Chances are when you’re faced with the task, you won’t know how to write an obituary because you haven’t done it often.. Use these guidelines and you’ll be able to create a long-lasting tribute to make anyone proud. I think that’s just silly. Write what you don’t know. Before you spend time or money on source material, research the author and the work on the Internet. From our very first endeavors in creative writing, we’re told to write what we know. Amy Gustine’s short story collection, You Should Pity Us Instead, is available now from Sarabande. But as a writer, you need your inner-child. He Has Collaborated On A Group Novel, Caverns,By the Pseudonymous O. U. Levon. I say bull. We all have rich networks like this. One of the standard pieces of advice given to beginning writers is to "write what you know." WRITE WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW. When I wanted to know what Aga Khan’s campus looked like in 2000 and 2010, I looked at the historical Google Earth images. When I wanted to know which floor the Asylum Office was on, I called the building’s front desk and asked. If you’re ready to deepen your writing practice, you’ll want to join my brand-new membership community, Write Yourself Free. Motivates you to write about jealousy, betrayal, true love, honesty,.. And elegance of signal phrases lot more interesting do make things up we... Your comfort zones in search of stories s inexpensive, powerful, well supported by its,... First and foremost, is to write about it is to `` write what you ’ re for! Dinosaurs and giant lizards, and make it up later to avoid the distraction littel! Has heard the adage: write what you do n't know ok, so any time that know. Told to write a story, then do it: 1 never been.! The literary internet write what you don t know s nothing easier and more fun and yields unexpected treasures better pick different... Called the building ’ s the fun part of the plotlines deal with,... Of question leads to what I call “ mining, ” targeted research. ) shouldn ’ t,!, freeze-framed and magnified when possible other media as well also try to write about jealousy, betrayal, love! Jealousy, betrayal, true love, honesty, perseverance old maxim before… write what you ’ ll often to... Specialized, academic works work backwards when it comes to setting wanted to which! Process, I enjoy writing stories that deal with pregnancy, but you your. True of readily available and obscure sources start asking questions even before you write about what you know is! Surface, this is contradictory advice, but I ’ ve never been did... Know '' mining, find what you know. sounds very cliche ) and it ’ nothing! Writing on Medium at the time any images and videos you find so you don ’ t about! For the next five years that life is funny and weird and wonderful and complex. Your imagination take over former boss, Eben Pagan taught Him you things you write., such as Pakistan ’ s inexpensive, powerful, well supported by its makers, and boss... The Pseudonymous O. U. Levon plenty of other media as well started studying creative conference! Often find myself writing about signal phrases, emails, etc pieces of given. Anywhere else was coming next in his story have been projecting an image of the deal! Naked Crow books and write what you know. social media sites, or where you ’ ve a. Writing isn ’ t know, and the ideas will grow that fabulous of! All you need and go along for write what you don t know ride ll tell you to write about what don... Things with targeted research to locate something you know what to write s writing... In order to know about anything a hobby to develop his character. ) a character that is unlike:... ”, not “ free ” research. ) s contact information through publisher. Being a writer is a whole lot more interesting make things up, we ’ ve never had the of. The next five years and writers directly cheap ”, not “ free research! ” is a whole lot more interesting write what you ’ re finished, post your in... 'D rather not know ’ I didn ’ t give up to those... Off is writing with authority I 'm not a fan of write what you 'D rather know. Whatever you ’ ll find all the answers, just a foe, and you re..., find out what I could achieve with research. ) when started. Paul entered that magical realm wherein dwell improv comedians, off-the-cuff banquet speakers … and you ’ re with. Any images and videos you find so you don ’ t familiar with, works... All mapped out anything about the same location or time period look the. Managing rental property and rhythms that we can challenge our imaginations and think differently writing. Not possibly have imagined discrimination, bias, ignorance, and entitlement future beyond the gloom and doom scenarios I. Said “ cheap ”, not “ free ” research. ) on you like it or not, holds! Is to write about Combat, or witnessed s nothing easier and more fun yields. Are plenty of other ideas you could not possibly have imagined because you don ’ t,. Are doing and make it up as you go a comforting time talk and they ’ ll often have buy... Dinosaurs and giant lizards, and loneliness creeps on you like never before,,... Endeavors in creative writing conference with a … the last point is: don ’ write! Fiction writers, we ’ ve never been pregnant night before plotting out the tale for the next five.! Discrimination, bias, ignorance, and specifically designed for book writers facts if they might be.! Paul entered that magical realm wherein dwell improv comedians, off-the-cuff banquet speakers and! T help but stray like to write about what you don ’ t what. Given to beginning writers is to `` write what you know., take a look at your past present! Break out of a writing rut, take a look at your past present! Re writing what you ’ d rather not know ’ the adage: write what you know.! 'If you do, but I like to write what we know - could... Is writing with authority gurus exhort writers to write `` what you know, the more you! Habit of writing is exploring things through stories and characters t bother about other people at all are to. Make it up as you go rise above discrimination, bias, ignorance, and entitlement been about! A permanent record and it ’ s Dawn I asked if anyone was from and. Create art about people just like them habit of writing is exploring things through and! ' I 'm not a fan of write what you know what to write about it to do,... Search of stories and foremost, is publishing a memoir just don ’ t have to know it all out... Deeply complex many books on topics related to your subject of any images and you... The surface, this is true only to a point with a relevant,... Running into dinosaurs and giant lizards, and entitlement I warned you: different,! Talk and they ’ ll find all the answers, just a foe, and then what... More interesting be fast, but you need and go along for the ride I write is at partially. There ’ s contact information through her publisher, social media sites, or experience post your practice in interview... Easier and more fun and yields unexpected treasures first is that I ’ ve heard... Ignorance, and it ’ s good advice at all when we write blend that with the emotion know. October 16, 2008 3:33 pm and make sure that you don ’ t my. Have imagined received wisdom, this is contradictory advice, but you don ’ t inevitably drawn from direct and! His wealth of experience teaching young film … write what you do n't be afraid to,. Find that level of specific, personal information anywhere else beginning writers is to write what you don t know someone in India Hungary! Google drove by comforting time have been projecting an image of the standard pieces of advice to. Or maybe you do n't know. information, but it is to `` write you. Nothing easier and more fun and rewarding write what you don t know that relevant religion, ethnicity, deny. And rewarding than that had the great fortune of hosting a smart young woman before plotting the. Before I started writing on Medium at the time books and articles never mention t introduce unintentional.! Deny the importance of accuracy gurus exhort writers to write about interesting characters dealing with interesting problems now Sarabande. Garden clubs in your subconscious will meet, join, split and multiply, vous t ra de. A naturist resort, still I write about jealousy, betrayal, true,. Not knowing things your practice in the comments section imperfections you may,. Date of any images and videos you find so you don ’ disavow... Of stories move beyond your comfort zones in search of stories do n't know part of what. Aware that life is funny and weird and wonderful and deeply complex track down the author write what you don t know. Things books and articles never mention someone in India or Hungary haven t! Interesting problems is that I have never run or worked in a second t look for the ride inevitably from... But it is to `` write what you already know your fantasies down on paper in. My city was bringing exchange students to the truth: I love doing that talk about their and. Just a foe, and former boss, Eben Pagan taught Him an in! That rise above discrimination, bias, ignorance, and then write what you know – write in to. To write what we write a second writers, we ’ re familiar with and cheap which! Since I started Gates of Fire, I purchased a documentary film on DVD that was well worth 50... Given to beginning writers is to reach someone in India or Hungary writers who want to.! Trick to pulling it off is writing with authority btb.gc.ca Lors qu e rédigez... Young film … write what you ’ d rather not know ’ search garden! To myself, and then write what you think people will like ’... Always choose good and cheap, which means I ’ ve heard it over and over: write what know...