In this share, we tackle another of writing’s shibboleths: write what you know. Simple advice, easy to understand, but also incredibly vague and unhelpful.
In a guest post on C.S. Lakin’s blog, Beatrice Manuel says that we shouldn’t shy away from writing what we don’t know. “Going beyond my comfort zone was one of the best things I did, both for my creative path as an aspiring writer and as a freelance content creator,” Manuel says.
When we start writing, we work with our personal experience. It’s easier to imagine scenarios, describe characters and settings, and find our emotional centers. But eventually, that’s not enough. You need to grow, and that means exploring different themes and genres. “It can be hard, but it also stretches your imagination and tests your powers of empathy in ways that go beyond the kinds of stories you might otherwise choose to tell—ways which are useful in just about any kind of writing,” Manuel writes.
She offers a few suggestions for changing your mindset:
- Research. You don’t need to be an expert in a topic to write about it. You can learn skills, job duties, processes, and policies on the job. Google and YouTube are your friends. Study until you feel confident enough sharing your new information.
- Immerse yourself. “The most obvious way to improve your writing is to read, read, read,” Manuel says. “If you’re exploring something new with your writing, you should immerse yourself in the genre. Make it a part of your daily life or routine in some way.”
- Interview the experts. Talk to other writers who work in the genre that interests you. Interview people who know about your topics or themes. Ask questions!
- Enjoy the learning experience. Learning should be a pleasure. If you approach your research begrudgingly, perhaps you’ve chosen the wrong subject.
