Time for our monthly meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca and PJ Colando.
Let's check out this month's IWSG question:
Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?
This is a fun one, I'm sure I learned many things that haven't been applicable to my writing at all, but I do remember being told "Write what you know." Now this might be the single most overrated piece of advice of all time. I'm sure the intention behind it is well meaning, presumably to get you on your way, but it always seemed fishy to me because what I knew seemed very limited and I wanted to try and escape that. If I'd only written about what I knew, I don't think anyone would have wanted to read it. To me, it's always been more about writing what I didn't know but needed to find out, so it's a never ending learning process - and that encompasses the human condition, the whole nine yards. I'm not born with an innate knowledge bank that I can draw from ad infinitum, so the rule is fundamentally flawed to me.
In fact, I didn't start taking writing seriously until about a decade after I left school, and I wouldn't go as far as to say that was their fault, but maybe it would have been nice if I'd been pushed a bit more, with more of an exploratory mindset. But it worked out somehow.
How have things been working out in the past month? Well, I got a second job outside of the house, which was really needed for monetary reasons. It doesn't bite into my writing time but I'm trying not to let the fatigue factor become a thing. I'm still circling around edits on my recently completed first draft, but that will start very soon. I did overhaul my letter for the project I'm querying and have rebranded as adult instead of YA based on a very constructive personalised rejection. I know you shouldn't let the opinion of one agent change your whole approach, but it makes sense in a lot of ways - my protagonist is eighteen, with a job, living with a flatmate and for the most part taking on a brutal grown-up world without too many typical YA issues for the most part. I suppose there is an argument for calling it "new adult", but I'm still kind of iffy on how widely that is used as a proposition. If an agent says they specialise in that, I can always lean into it.
I think that's about it for now - really intrigued to read more answers to this month's IWSG question! To find those entries, as always, check out the list here. See you next month!
19 comments:
Writing what you know...yeah that's limiting except when it comes to feelings...those I know.
I think you are still "writing what you know" since you aren't writing until you have researched and learned. That's my take on "write what you know." Don't write about something unless you have a solid grasp of the topic. It doesn't have to be innate knowledge. Learned knowledge will do. Happy IWSG day, Nick.
Hi Nick. I think you're right in saying most advice like this is aimed at getting people started. I think the whole aspect of heavy research while trying to write your first MS can be a bit daunting for some. I don't remember doing any research in my early writing days. I just let my imagination run wild.
Someone else mentioned write what you know. How would we learn anything if did that?
That sounds like a good switch in genres for the story.
Sooo true! I write historical fiction, how could I possibly know that? I've also found in a Creative Non-Fiction class once that it can be a dangerous piece of advice because it's hard to write something that is still raw and potentially hits "too close to home" still. So, yes, this is definitely advice we should toss. Thanks for sharing and happy IWSG hop day!
I'm not sure NA is much of a thing anymore.
I was going to suggest new adult. Ha.
Research allows us to break that rule. That said, there are some topics and genres I've thought about writing, but the learning curve caused me to say nope.
I've seen a few people cite this, but I don't think I ever got told that in school. Maybe I got lucky or I was told and wiped it from memory.
My workaround for "write what you know" is to write the story including what I do know, then research the rest. Research is my favorite part and that's what keeps me writing!
There's nothing wrong with taking the advice of an agent when it makes sense to you. Sometimes you need that thought from outside to take you in the direction you need to go.
Good answer. Since I write fantasy and science fiction, I don't believe I'm writing what I know. LOL
Yeah I never understood that "rule". So I ignored it ;)
Interesting post, Nick. Maybe "write what you know" isn't necessarily about content, but more about what fascinates us in terms of theme? I can see it could be limiting, though.
I have self-published new adult (love that genre--back to write what you know, I'm so interested in the transition from child to adult, including individuation from family), but it seemed that genre was "hotter" back around 2015 than now.
Two jobs and writing. Good on you. That's a lot.
I like that you are leaving yourself open to market as adult or new adult. Makes sense.
I can't imagine anyone following "Write what you know" advice. You're spot on about that advice being overrated. Glad you found where your next book category fits.
Hi Nick I'm back after a long hiatus. All explained on my current blog post. I like to 'write what I want to know' not what I do know already!
It's great that you're able to balance writing and other responsibilities. I hope you have a classy day Nick
thegeektwins.com
I agree, I think it would be so much better if an exploratory mindset was encouraged!
Hi Nick - good for you ... it's a tough life - though well worth living and enjoying things as they come your way. Take care and all the best for your books and writings - cheers Hilary
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