Thread: Write what you know???

I think it means to write about what you're familiar with. If you're not sure about a certain facility, occupation, etc., it will show through it your writing, and won't be as much fun to write about verses something you know about anyway.

My interpretation of that is just what it says. I don't think there's any hidden meaning. Except it's flawed. Who only wants to write about what they know? Just an example, an actor doesn't only want to play parts that are a mirror image of themselves, artists don't only want to paint their environment or their interests, & writers don't only want to write about what they know.

I think the advice was originally geared toward beginning writers who felt they had so many things going on in their heads, but no cohesive story in mind. So if they write about what they know, they might come up with a story, but not necessarily one that everyone will want to read.


On the other side of the coin, you might come across an idea that you'd never thought about until that moment, then you've done a bit of superficial research on it, & you have such a clear idea of how to bring it all together that you know there's no way you won't write it. If that happens, good for you as long as those you submit it to are just as excited as you are.

"Write what you know".

Faced with the question, I accept that most of what I write comes from my own experiences in life. A significant contribution to any article will be my opinion, right or wrong, on the subject about which I am writing. I have already enjoyed a long life of experiences on which to draw as inspiration.

An idea for an article comes to me from many sources - often as in this case from a piece posted on either of the two forums with which I keep close contact. Over half of what I write is on the subject of horses but often I make a conscious effort to write on other subjects. The handling, riding and training of horses can be the hobby for a lifetime since every horse is different and every human is different.

A question which often comes into my head is whether the article I have just written should be classified as non-fiction or fiction. Invariably I will post on a non fiction sub forum. I am not into fantasying.