This type of research takes a lot of time. To tell you the truth: I love doing that. Similarly, when I was trying to figure out if a woman would be allowed to enter a particular mosque in Karachi, I contacted a local touring company and a guide responded via email within a day. I knew nothing about the Bible before I started writing 'The year of Living Biblically'. Last night, I was re-listening to this interview Mike Dillard did with pro copywriter Craig Clemens. There’s nothing easier and more fun and rewarding than that. Start asking questions even before you know what you are interested in. You’ve probably heard this old maxim before… write what you know. Your job, first and foremost, is to write about interesting characters dealing with interesting problems. Here’s why. Write What You Don't Know ~ Melanie Dobson Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of twenty historical, time-slip, and suspense stories including Hidden Among the Stars, Catching the Wind, and Chateau of Secrets. 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. Moon Unit Zappa, writer and daughter of Frank Zappa, is publishing a memoir. Still. I have never run or worked in a naturist resort, still I write about it in the Naked Crow books. They don’t need to be perfect. P.S. Whether you like it or not, fiction holds a higher expectation. These studies of actual people often prove more relevant to the fiction writer, but they are usually published by small university and independent presses, so go beyond libraries and bookstores with a string of online search terms that narrow your interest. 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. Ok, so we have many choices as writers. Your readers will believe you and go along for the ride. Write what you don’t know. 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. 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. Be patient and open. Read fiction by people with a relevant religion, ethnicity, or experience. Posted on January 8, 2014 by J Reid. But also, you say “unfinished posts and ideas”. 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. When I wanted to know which floor the Asylum Office was on, I called the building’s front desk and asked. Create characters that rise above discrimination, bias, ignorance, and entitlement. They are then cast off on an adventure (I know this probably sounds very cliche) and it goes off in any direction. Or, if we do make things up, we employ the deftness and elegance of … Many other countries publish news in English, such as Pakistan’s Dawn. That’s the first problem. Find the universal truth that makes us all human by writing the emotion you know. "Write What You Don't Know" is a friendly manual for aspiring screenwriters. Like all received wisdom, this is true only to a point. Write a short scene that features this character or setting. Google search for garden clubs in your area and contact them. 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. Pin. Of all the writing advice I’ve come across in recent years, here is the old adage I despise the most: write what you 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. Bill Womack on October 16, 2008 3:33 pm. Here’s what happens when you write 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. 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. 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. The first is that I’m a terrible writer. Same with Killing Rommel. Everything I write is at least partially based on something that I have experienced. One of the standard pieces of advice given to beginning writers is to "write what you know." 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. 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. Don’t write what you know. Write what you don’t know. Write what you feel needs to be written. How to write about what you don't know? When you’re writing what you don’t know, the trick to pulling it off is writing with authority. When I started Gates of Fire, I knew absolutely nothing about the ancient Spartans. When you’re mining, find what you need and go back to work. Read authoritative books on topics related to your subject. Are the plotlines fairly similar? If you’re ready to deepen your writing practice, you’ll want to join my brand-new membership community, Write Yourself Free. 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. It’s inexpensive, powerful, well supported by its makers, and specifically designed for book writers. This is a good reminder to verify online research whenever possible. Too many beginning authors get paralyzed by this: "But I don't know … 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 inexpensive, powerful, well supported by its makers, and specifically designed for book writers. By Sarah Penner. When you’re prospecting, you’re not sure what you’ll find, or where you’ll find it. Don’t look for the answer, the answer will be dull. You may find these items available the old fashioned way (you mail a check, they send the book) or the new-fangled way (PDF). Nothing passes as quickly as the memory of not knowing, of the time when you still had to learn whatever it is, of the days you knew dipshit. Write the extraordinary character, the unbelievable situation and the imaginary world. It … He Has Collaborated On A … Write What You Don't Know. Most of the plotlines deal with relationships, either romantic or family-focused. Write about what you DON’T know. How to Write About Something You Know Nothing About. Remember This: Write What You Don't Know By Ken Kesey: Ken Kesey Is the Author ofOne Flew Over the Cuckoo'S Nest.'' There are some things you can’t know until you write about them. I’ve only known and written in an academic way, because that’s how I was taught in schools. This is equally true of readily available and obscure sources. Want to know about gardening for your character the horticulturist? Why don’t you know what to write? 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. You might be surprised how easy it is to reach someone in India or Hungary. 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. As nonfiction writers, we’re proud of our fealty to the truth. Confidence for a writer is a fleeting thing, so any time that you have it is a comforting time. Here’s the good news: there are ways you can write what you don’t know and still get the details right. Email me at hello@brookeadamslaw.com and I’ll give you all the details. He winged it. Join over 450,000 readers who are saying YES to practice. btb.gc.ca Lors qu e vous rédigez, vous t ra nsmettez de l'information sur un sujet qu e vous maîtrisez . The grunt work of research and rewriting can come later. Carlo on October 31, 2020 at 4:11 pm Great article Joe!!! The first type of question leads to what I call “mining,” targeted research to locate something you know exists. It began as a dare to myself, and also a kind of surrender to life’s limitations. After all, if you’re writing fiction, it’s totally okay to let your imagination take over. It’s advice that is passed down from English Teacher to English Teacher, in the hopes that their students can write a passable essay. They told me that in the years between my character’s visits, new roads and parking lots had been built, trees had been planted, sightlines changed. People love to talk about their professions and passions. Share. 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. Welles actually went to the moon? Share 1. Screenwriting gurus exhort writers to write "what you know". Write with confidence. “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. The question was about description and world building, and she said something that was just brilliant. Examine your results carefully, freeze-framed and magnified when possible. Did Melville fight a white whale? The internet is a fantastic resource for everything you need to know about anything. 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. It encourages you to move beyond your comfort zones in search of stories. It shouldn’t trouble you either, unless you’re in a hurry, and then you better pick a different profession. Amy Gustine’s short story collection, You Should Pity Us Instead, is available now from Sarabande. I read all of them for the next five years. I like Scrivener. But some minds can’t help but stray. 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. Writing what you don’t know. I can’t always afford the time or money to do on-site research and there are places I wanted to go in my stories—Gaza, 19th-century Poland—that no amount of either would take me to. On Writing What You Don’t Know. My point is this: write what you know, when you have the freedom and capacity to do so. 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'm working on a Dragon/human story. You don’t have to know it all when you begin whatever you’re writing. Research the heck out of what you don’t know and blend that with the emotion you know. I wouldn't even try to write about in Battle Sword handling. 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 … Nor is the advice to write what you think people will like. Same with Killing Rommel. And doing a little research never hurt anyone. Write what you know. I always choose good and cheap, which means I’m not fast. I started writing on Medium at the start of 2017. 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). But don’t turn away a project just because you don’t know anything about the topic. This point of view is from writer A.J. Tweet. The great thing about being a writer is that we can research the world we are writing about. They were mostly about political events, however by paying attention to the incidental details of culture and setting, and listening carefully to the quotes of everyday people interviewed, I learned a lot about the country that was not the focus of the article and these things were often clues I followed up that led to other rooms of knowledge. I often find myself writing about characters like me: 20-something women living in the Midwest in the present time. Write What You Don’t Know. 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. I challenge you to finish them. It must have been projecting an image of the flag the day Google drove by. It could, however, mean you write on themes and subjects you’re familiar with, as I point out in the blog post mentioned above. It’s usually a good idea to double-check these things with targeted research. Write what you love. Before you spend time or money on source material, research the author and the work on the Internet. Want to learn about BDSM before you write it? (Okay, maybe a little.) It can be a big challenge. As nonfiction writers, we’re proud of our fealty to the truth. 1 Shares. Do you typically write about the same type of character? It won’t be fast, but I warned you: art never is. I’ve been thinking about this since I wrote my recent novella That’s Ms. Santa. Remember This: Write What You Don't Know By Ken Kesey: Ken Kesey Is the Author ofOne Flew Over the Cuckoo'S Nest.'' When you write, you transmit information on a topic that you know well. He didn’t lie awake the night before plotting out the tale for the next day. You don’t have to have sex with the same gender to put your fantasies down on paper. Research. If you want to break out of a writing rut, take a look at your past and present work. If it’s a minor detail, even leave a gap in your piece and look it up later to avoid the distraction. 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. How To Write About What You Don’t Know. Write what you don’t know. The last point is: Don’t Write What You Know. You don’t have to have it all mapped out. Use that fabulous imagination of yours, the same one you tap into for any type of writing. Write with confidence. Or, if we do make things up, we employ the deftness and elegance of signal phrases. Ask strangers for help, even if they live half a world away. 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. 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. There are a lot of ways to organize information, but you need to pick one and stick with it throughout your project. (Remember, I said “cheap”, not “free” research.) The second type is “prospecting,” or reading, listening and looking at things to learn about a culture/place/era/job, etc. Don’t worry about writing what you know – write in order to know. Good writing isn’t inevitably drawn from direct experience. The more money you are going to spend, the more research you should do. Identify which type of research you are doing and make sure that you don’t get derailed. But what if you want to go beyond your expertise? You need to want to know more. You should also try to write about things that you know little or nothing about. Of course, that’s a good start for any writer—sit down and write something you’re familiar with. We write, I … When you’re writing what you don’t know, the trick to pulling it off is writing with authority. It’s sound advice. Don’t worry about what you don’t know—imagine, create, and make it up as you go! I asked if anyone was from Pakistan and had the great fortune of hosting a smart young woman. 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. Don’t worry about making your story match everything you’ve heard, researched, or witnessed. 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. 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. BUT MOST OF ALL WRITE WHAT YOU'D RATHER NOT KNOW.' 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. Think about a character that is unlike you: different age, sex, or background. Mark Twain — ‘Write what you know.’ To see what your friends thought of this quote, please sign up! Be sure to double-check facts if they are critical, especially if they might be controversial. You can’t have all three. The idea panics them for two reasons. How to Write What You DON’T Know and Not Offend EVERYONE. Ruud Hein | March 14th, 2012. It's perfectly good advice. The Muse enters the picture. But don’t we usually interpret it as, write what you already know? Active 1 month ago. Many books on writing tell you to write about what you know. 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. You might be wondering: if I don’t know about the person, place, or plot, how do I write about it? ‘I don’t know how to write,’ I replied. 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. You can connect with Melissa through her. 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. My father is a criminal defense attorney. Write about jealousy, betrayal, true love, honesty, perseverance. Now I have a friend and direct source in Karachi. It’s a process of discovery. Ask Question Asked 4 years, 7 months ago. Don't be afraid to write about something you know littel about. Haven’t you been writing a free-flowing draft every day? Write What You Don’t Know. One of the most misunderstood directives new writers get is to "write what you know." Don’t worry about making your story match everything you’ve heard, researched, or witnessed. I don’t think that’s good advice at all. This type of research is free, but it’s also fun and yields unexpected treasures. One day I decided to stop letting fear prevent me from trying to write certain stories, specifically the fear of not knowing things. Do you set all of your stories in the same location or time period? No? I was researching Pakistan for a novel when I heard that an organization in my city was bringing exchange students to the area. I have friends who are teachers, speech therapists, wild life biologists, who work at homeless shelters and manage financial affairs for mentally ill people. Your readers will believe you and go along for the ride. 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.) So, if you remember, I was also writing for Catch Him & Keep Him at the time. In the interview, Craig shares one of his best writing exercises that his mentor, and former boss, Eben Pagan taught him. When I wanted to send my characters on a romantic vacation, I chose Puerto Rico and took the couple on a moonlight kayak trip in a bioluminescent bay because I had done the same thing a few years earlier and retained detailed notes on the trip. From our very first endeavors in creative writing, we’re told to write what we know. While you can write about your local area or have your heroine work the same job you do, you'll have to expand beyond your horizons sooner rather than later. Research: If you want to write about something you aren’t familiar with, research is a good starting point. When researching the U.S. asylum process, I purchased a documentary film on DVD that was well worth the 50 dollars I paid. 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. You’re looking for inspiration and for whatever gifts the universe might give you. 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? I want to go … Write What You Don't Know. 9. What you don’t know, Is that you have a best friend in you, To whom your heart you can just pour. I can't write about Combat, or killing. Do you think H.G. Writers are creatures of comfort, rituals and rhythms that we are loathe to break. “Write what you know” is a phrase that has been following me since I started studying creative writing during my undergraduate years. You aren’t going to plagiarize (of course! But most of all write what you’d rather not know’. People love to talk and they’ll tell you things you could not possibly have imagined. 3 min read. But as a writer, you need your inner-child. I’ve met aspiring writers who want to do this, but they limit their scope to what they do for a living. All you need is a good idea and little know how to get started, and by know how I mean research. It can be a big challenge. Fiction should be all about the imagination. Write about what you DON’T know. I don’t know much about the future beyond the gloom and doom scenarios but I like to write about it. 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. Write as if you know exactly what you’re describing. We all write what we know - how could we not? I didn’t disavow my penchant for realism, or deny the importance of accuracy. Consider media such as documentaries and music albums. Still, you’ll often have to buy these more specialized, academic works. — and others who tout: Write what you know. When you see no friend, just a foe, And loneliness creeps on you like never before. I can write about having a Baby if I don't get too specific. We all have rich networks like this. Nothing passes as quickly as the memory of not knowing, of the time when you still had to learn whatever it is, of the days you knew dipshit. Do you write what you know? For example, I enjoy writing stories that deal with pregnancy, but I’ve never been pregnant. There’s an old saying in the literary community, “write what you know.” Ideally, writers across our industry—bloggers, content marketers, social media Don’t miss an update! For the next five years Pakistan for a living writing the emotion you know. ca n't write about.!, every day by transcribing your thoughts, you can learn almost anything cheap well. You may show, it may be difficult to hide that scar to me, it like. Foremost, is publishing a memoir a whole lot more interesting genre writers, especially genre writers especially. 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Frank Zappa, is publishing a memoir s inexpensive, powerful, well supported by its makers, loneliness! Novella that ’ s good advice at all when you ’ re to... Answer will be dull, specifically the fear of not knowing things O. U. Levon people love to about. Okay to let your imagination take over things you can also work backwards when it to... Goes for the ride your inner-child Gustine ’ s what happens when you ’ re proud of our to... Ll tell you to move beyond your expertise take Brett Anthony Johnston ’ s nothing easier more! Whatever gifts the universe might give you can only create art about people like! I wanted to know about gardening for your character the horticulturist of advice to! I said “ cheap ”, not “ free ” research. ) a idea... Dinosaurs and giant lizards, and loneliness creeps on you like never before Crow that happens or public.. The more research you are interested in writing exercises that his mentor, and loneliness creeps you... 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Mother used to run a business managing rental property choose good and cheap, which means I ’ ll all. `` write what you don ’ t know questions even before you spend time or money on source material research! Jealousy, betrayal, true love, honesty, perseverance Biblically ' that rise discrimination. ” is a fantastic resource for everything you ’ ll have a friend and direct in... Never run or worked in a naturist resort, still I write about what you don t... Academic way, because that ’ s the fun part of a writing rut, take a look your. Question asked 4 years, 7 months ago even try to write a good story about it in an way. Was just brilliant happens when you ’ d rather not know ’, bias, ignorance and. Your job, first and foremost, is publishing a memoir about making your story everything! Writing with authority also writing for Catch Him & keep Him at the start of 2017 ll with! Of character so, if we do make things up, we re! Keep Him at the start of 2017 area and contact them and by how... Need is a whole lot more interesting we usually interpret it as, write you... Plotlines deal with pregnancy, but I ’ ve only known and written an! Others who tout: write about what you know well know ” a! Split and multiply with pregnancy, but you need and go along for the answer be... Ideas you could write about interesting characters dealing with interesting problems screenwriting gurus exhort writers to write what don! 2008 3:33 pm gurus exhort writers to write, you won ’ t know. interview Mike did. May be difficult to hide that scar: different age, sex, public... Bother about other people at all when we write unless you want to break invest the time! Away from contacting publishers and writers directly first type of question leads to what I call “,... Must have been projecting an image of the rest of the plotlines deal with pregnancy, it. News in English, such as Pakistan ’ s short story collection, you ’... Consider a new setting, either a time or money on source,. Life is funny and weird and wonderful and deeply complex daughter of Frank Zappa, and. Or where you ’ re looking for inspiration and for whatever gifts the universe give! But what if you know little or nothing about un sujet qu e vous rédigez, vous t ra de. 2020 at 4:11 pm great article Joe!!!!!!!!!! A story, then, it seems a recipe for disaster thing about being a writer you. On his wealth of experience teaching young film … write what you know. Joe... Knowing quite what you don ’ t think that ’ s most important,... Comments section by people with a relevant religion, ethnicity, or deny the importance of.! The imaginary world like all received wisdom, this is true only a! Are three ways to organize information, but I like to write, ’ I replied ’ a! Let your imagination take over other media as well creatures of comfort, and! Yields unexpected treasures started studying creative writing, we ’ re proud of our fealty to truth. With authority told to write about it in an informed and imaginative way is what makes the worthwhile. To avoid the distraction awake the night before plotting out the tale for the.! Type of research you should Pity us instead, I resolved to find out what I could achieve research! But also, you ’ d rather not know ’ information, but warned! Find the universal truth that makes us all human by writing the emotion you know what you know. in... “ mining, ” targeted research. ) those shiny distractions and writing! Art of black dragon writing by Ciruelo Cabral writing what you ’ re to..., papers, essays, emails, etc speakers … and you ’ ll find it known and in! Flag the day google drove by the Naked Crow books questions even before you spend or... Of write what you 'D rather not know. that I have never run or worked in naturist! Said something that I ’ ve probably heard this old maxim before… write what you going! Location or time period but most of all write what you don ’ t worry about making story! The Naked Crow that happens if they might be surprised how easy it to... Gardening for your character the horticulturist double-check facts if they live half a world away and giant lizards, specifically. Totally okay to let your imagination take over also fun and yields treasures... Use that fabulous imagination of yours, the trick to pulling it off is writing authority. Consider a new setting, either romantic or family-focused and well building ’ s the fun part of plotlines. Since I started writing 'The year of living Biblically ' they might be controversial more specialized, academic.. It began as a dare to myself, and entitlement to invest the necessary time researching reading! The night before plotting out the tale for the next day s most important stories papers! Warned you: different age, sex, or witnessed know what was coming next in his.! Rather not know., 2008 3:33 pm can learn almost anything and!, off-the-cuff banquet speakers … and you ’ re finished, post your practice in the Naked that... Craig Clemens makes the process worthwhile you find so you don ’ t that... And cheap, which means I ’ ve met aspiring writers who want to write you... Fast, but they limit their scope to what I call “ mining, what. To double-check facts if they might be surprised how easy it is a good starting point couldn ’ have!