Writing What You Don't Know
If you've been in the publishing industry any length of time, you've heard the dictum, "Write what you know." While this is certainly a good rule of thumb to follow, I'd like to propose that you also write what you don't know.
"How can I do that?" you may be asking.
The answer is very simple. Research.
A good place to start is to make a list of those topics in which you are interested but which you haven't yet had time to explore. Your list could range from how to build a rocket to budget-friendly vacations. Any topic of interest to you is worth researching.
Another good approach to writing what you don't know is to choose a magazine for which you'd like to write. Then study what topics that magazine publishes. Pick one that interests you and prepare a query letter on the topic from a fresh angle.
Many writers have made their first sale by writing on a topic about which they had little or no knowledge. You can do the same.
And that's my "musing that matters" for today. What's yours? :-)
Blessings,
MaryAnn
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Comments
Hi MaryAnn,
It has been a challenge for me to learn how to step out of my comfort zone to interview people about topics I want to include in my novels. Today I will meet with a real esate agent to talk with her about her work so I can use that info for my heroine in my new WIP. I'm also going to interview a woman who is an advocate for domestic violence victims, and a lawyer who works for our county exectutive. The Lord has given me all these great contacts. Now I just need to be brave and go talk to them. I am hopeful their insights will help me make my story realistic. Blessings,
Carrie
I think you have a very valid point.Once, when I was in Jeckyll Island I wrote an article about one of the gravestone engravings that I found most heartwarming. I forgot, however, to write down the name of the woman about whom the words were written. After I returned home, I began to research. The hours spent took me to places I never dreamed of! I have never submitted the article, but the research alone was worth my time.
One good thing: research is easier than ever, thanks to the Internet. Typing in the subject matter to Google will yield thousands, if not more, results. It's no substitute for digging into a good book or talking with someone who is a specialist in a field, but it's a great start for laying the groundwork! Nowadays, you can even find excellent maps of cities and create driving directions from point A to point B...useful for getting your characters around if you haven't been someplace in a while. :-)
Hi Everyone....My son just installed a new, faster computer for us and also a large 12 X 18 1/2 inch flat screen monitor. He said I would love it, and I definitely so. So much easier on my eyes. That one of the reasons I didn't get on line yesterday.
Loved Pam's scripture from the message.It's a good one to post near our computers.
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I'd like to add to that saying: write what you know and are passionate about.
I recently found I could write fantasy and do it well.
I've loved reading fantasy for as long as I could remember, but I never tried writing it until I got a crazy idea and started working on it. Wow! What a difference to write what you truly love.
The second most important thing Mary Ann has brought to our attention is research. Don't skip it. You think it takes time away from writing and it does. But it is time well spent because your writing will be SO much richer for it and you will even glean other ideas as you go.
My mentor gave me this verse: "Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort." 1 Cor. 15:58 The Message
Amen!