Write What You Know

Writers are frequently told, “write what you know.”

Well, if you’re young, you may not think you know very much. (Adversely, you may think you know everything. You don’t, but that’s another conversation.)

If you’re not well traveled, you also might not think you know enough to write about something.

I have been privileged in my life to live many diverse experiences.

1. I was in the USAF from 2001–2012, so I got to experience firsthand what war was like.
2. I lived in Japan for 8 years.
3. I’ve been to more countries than you can count on your fingers and toes.
4. I’ve lived all over the United States in some major cities.
5. I’ve worked for quite a few Fortune 100/500 companies.
6. I’ve been married, divorced, and had several relationships with varying degrees of success.
7. I had four kids.
8. I’ve made comics, run communities, and written eBooks, blogs, and games.
9. I was an occultist for over a decade.
10. I’ve been every thing from a project manager to a pizzeria manager.

Needless to say, finding a topic to write about for me is very easy and my listed experiences here are just skimming the surface.

However, I’m not telling you this to brag but to prove a point.

You don’t need all that experience to “write what you know.”

Let’s say, for example, you want to write science fiction, like me.

You know how many times I’ve been to another planet or fought aliens?

You guessed it… zero.

But I’ve watched and read a LOT of science fiction. I’ve studied storytelling and how to do it. I love learning about space.

I know how to write it.

Remember, it’s “write what you know,” not “write what you’ve experienced first-hand.”

While actually experiencing the thing you’re writing about will definitely enhance your storytelling capability, it’s not actually 100% necessary.

Writing what you know means putting in the time to research the subject you want to write about.

If I want to write a story about a hitman, I don’t think killing someone is going to do anything for me but allow me plenty of time to write in a jail cell.

There are plenty of case studies to research, though.

And, y’know, a lot less blood and stuff.

Bottom line: research your subject to know it.

Do the work that’s necessary to understand what you’re writing about and you’ll be fine.

If you have an understanding of the subject, that will shine through in the writing.

If you don’t… well, you’ll probably sound like an amateur.

And if you get the opportunity, go out and live life in a way that enriches your storytelling.

It’ll pay off big time.

Thanks for reading!

Hi, I'm Joe. I help creators share their unique voices simply and effectively. Here's how I can help you:

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