"Write what you know," the writing guides insist. But what does that really mean?
In this video and in The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write, I insist that it's not about external expertise (although research can certainly be required sometimes). Rather, it's about writing from that inner place of emotional truth where you already know all you need to know.
Write what you know? If you dare!
Direct to link to the video
Please "like" these Facebook pages...
• The Voice of the Muse book
• The MoonQuest movie
• The MoonQuest book
• Mark David Gerson
2 comments:
I've always felt "write what you know", as most people think of it, as bad advice. How can one write what they "know" when writing genre fiction involving science fiction or supernatural or historical events? I doubt Stephen King ever faced down a giant spider underneath a city....
That may be taking the advice a bit too literally...but writing is one of the best ways I can get to know something. I'd sooner tell people to write what they don't know, if only to learn something new about themselves and the world.
I really like what you're saying here. Write from the heart, and really write what you enjoy writing about. I like this approach. The writing will be more genuine than if the writer is forced to write what he doesn't enjoy, especially if he's only chasing a market trend.
Thanks, J.R. Nova, for the comments!
Post a Comment