Cliche Writing Advice Debunked: Write What You Know


Welcome to the second installment of the Cliche Writing Advice Debunked series! This post is inspired by a suggestion by Lila Kims. Let's get to debunking, shall we?

"Write what you know." Ugh. We're so tired of hearing it, aren't we? Write what you know. Blah, blah, blah. Yeah, great. That's sooooo helpful. I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure Tolkien didn't know any elves personally. Or dwarves. Or most of his story material, for that matter. Clearly, this advice doesn't provide much help, especially not for those of us who write spec-fic.

What should you write about, then?

~Write about what you don't know~

There are many instances where we know nothing about the topic we're writing about. I have a part in The Herbalist's War where it's pretty heavy on the medical side. I don't know anything about it. I'll have a lot of research to do to make sure I get the details right when I edit. I might not be able to keep that part because it might not be realistic. I don't know what will happen with that scene, but I wrote it anyway. Now I have an excuse to learn about a topic I know little to nothing about. It doesn't matter if the scene stays or not; I'll have learned something valuable.

Write about things you know nothing about, but want to learn about. Is it medicine? Is it a certain disability? Is it about science? A historical period? Writing about these things forces us to learn. While we might not be able to keep it in our stories, we don't waste our time. We learn something about a topic we wouldn't have otherwise delved into. Maybe we can put it into another story where it works! 

~Write what you feel~

Sometimes we feel things, but we don't know what it is we're feeling. Should we not write about it because we don't know what it is? No! Words can still describe the indescribable. Write what you feel. You might even find healing by writing your emotions.

~Write what you create~

For all you Spec-fic writers, here's a special message for you. We create worlds. We make new realities. Most of the things we write about, we don't know anything about. Not really. There's no tangible understanding of dragons or fantasy creatures. We have no idea what the technology or science will be like in the future. Maybe the world will fall into shambles, maybe it won't. We don't know, but we write about it anyway.

I remember I once spent thirty whole minutes researching large, freshwater fish to use in The Dawn of a Hero, only to have Jules text me and say that I was writing fantasy and I could come up with my own fish. *facedesk* DUH! So here is a time where I can write what I create, instead of what I know.

~Write what you know~

What's something you know better than anyone? Do you want others to be educated on a certain topic? Then write about it. My only warning is to make sure it works with the story. Don't force something into a story if it doesn't belong. So many stories fail because someone felt passionate about something and then shoved it into a plot, but didn't do the topic justice.

There are times where we write what we know. Why else would we write? But as we continue down the path of writing, we have to learn, grow, feel, and create in order to write something worth reading. Don't be afraid of writing the unknown. You have the privilege to make it known to the whole world.

What's something that you learned for the sake of writing? What's one thing you created that you're super proud of? How has writing helped you process what you're going through? What something that you're passionate about that influences your writing? 

Comments

  1. Great post! I've actually been "Writing what I don't know". I just recently finished plotting a historical fiction about an Irish boy. Now, I am Latino, so I naturally known NOTHING about the Irish. But the idea came and it will not be stopped! I am super proud of my outline. I did a lot of research just to create it and (it turns out) that the research is actually a lot of fun! Again, great post!

    ~Ceci
    alooongtimeagoinagalaxyfarfaraway.blogspot.com

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    1. That's so awesome!! I read your post about your story. It sounds sooooo interesting. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

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  2. Totally, totally true!!!! I used to be the same thing with the fish story... And then I realized- O.K. I'm writing fantasy, I CAN MAKE MY STUFF UP!!!! That was a lovely revelation...
    astoryspinner.blogspot.com

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    1. Isn't it, though? I can't believe I spent so much time on that. *facedesk* It probably won't be the last time either.

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  3. So true! You definitely gave some great advice. Yes, it's good to write about what you know, but it can be even better to write about things you don't know—though the learning part is crucial—or have to imagine yourself. I have always been an advocate for that. Really loved this post.

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    1. I'm glad you liked it! There's always a place for balance between what you know and what you don't know. Both are excellent in writing!

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  4. Ahhh, I love this! I'm always so nervous about creating things, worrying that I'm going to mess it up...but then I think, ya know what, I'm gonna go for it. And that works so much better. ^_^

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    1. Yep, it's so awesome to do stuff like that! I have a hard time coming up with fantasy creatures (translate: there are none so far), but it's something that I have to work on.

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  5. Freshwater fish. Lol, I remember texting you that day.

    It's fun writing fantasy, you can just write in whatever you need. XD

    I love writing what I know, but I also like googling things and learning stuff I didn't know (provided I don't get sidetracked and surf the internet for hours later).

    Hmmm. I'm super proud of my Kashir swords, my Birn arrows, my Skyrens, mountain tigers, foresters, wordsmiths, and the Red Wind. :)

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    1. LOL, yeah. It's awful. Ironically, I just edited that chapter yesterday (talk about perfect timing!) so I did my best to come up with a name. I'll have to flesh out the details later, but whatever.

      Hey, getting sidetracked is part of the journey. Who knows what it might inspire!

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  6. Such good advice! I agree write what you don't know, I do it all the time. Most of what I write I have no prior knowledge of. Fantasy is the best, because there really aren't any rules.

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    1. It really is awesome. I love coming up with new things and developing my own little world. #idowhatiwant

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  7. Excellent post, Sarah!

    I'm so glad I'm not the only one who goes nuts trying to find a good small real life detail to base my world-building on :).

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  8. I love how you debunked this!!!

    "Write what you feel." << I love that. <3

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    1. Thanks!

      I know right! I felt like that's something a lot of people miss out on.

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