Even if you’re not a writer, chances are you’ve heard the adage that’s been passed down to writers for generations. “Write what you know,” is a battle cry among many creative writing teachers.
I started there. One of my earliest manuscripts featured an actor and a singer/dancer working in New York. Because of my background in theater, it was easy for me to picture these characters. I’d even lived in New York, so the sights and sounds, the smells, the whole urban feel was a natural.
What didn’t work so well in the early draft of that manuscript (it’s never been published) was my hero. He was, frankly, too feminine to be a real romantic hero. That’s because he was too much like me. I was writing what I knew. It wasn’t until three manuscripts later, when I set myself free and decided to blatantly write about things I did NOT know that I began to get a handle on male characters.
Think about it—if we all ever just visited places we’d seen before, we’d never go any place new. I think it’s natural to want to explore new places and things and experiences—sort of like playing dress up (even if it’s not Halloween!) It’s one way we learn. If I’d stuck forever with only writing what I knew, I would never have gotten published.
- I’m not a man, so should I not write male characters?
- I didn’t live in Regency England, so should I not write about that time period?
- I’ve never given birth, so should I not write characters who are mothers?
- I’ve never been a magician, a jewelry designer or an undercover cop. So, are those characters off-limits to me?
For generations, authors have written quite successfully about things they couldn’t possibly have known first-hand. Futuristic science fiction, vampires or animal protagonists—we accept all of those.
But, as a reader, where do you draw the line? Should writers of Westerns live out West? Should authors of African-American stories be African-American? Should writers who feature gay or lesbian couples be gay or lesbian themselves? Does it matter?
I ask because I worry about the authenticity factor. (Okay, frankly, I worry about everything with my writing!) But one of my current works-in-progress features a half-Latina heroine and her neighbors are this great gay couple. My goal is to write them as people first and hopefully avoid any stereotyping. Am I worrying needlessly?
Your turn: Are there books you’ve read where the author has created an engaging, memorable character that was obviously drawn from elements the author didn’t know? I’m looking for titles and authors (it’s time for me to stock up on summer reading material!).
Oh, and for those who saw my previous post two weeks ago, I just wanted to say Thank You for all the feedback on author websites. I relaunched a new version of mine yesterday. Check out the new design.
Since I wrote books about a cat changing bodies with a woman, a dragon evolving into a man, a woman who talks to dead people and another woman who is 4th degree black belt martial arts expert (and sometimes vigilante), I don’t think it matters. Just think of JK Rowling and her Harry Potter books! They would’ve never been written if she’d been concerned about that. For me, I go with what interests me. If it interests me, I hope it interests readers.
Thanks, Edie. I thought about invoking Rowling’s name in my post, because she was never an 11-year-old wizard. But she built an amazing world. And I’ve read Cattitude, and I think you treated both woman and cat with respect in their body-changing situation.
Amy Atwell`s last blog was …Which Is Better — The Book or The Movie?
It’s great to be reminded of this, Amy! Writing about a paranormal group of super agents was one of my funnest tasks and I had fun writing characters that were the polar opposite of me. The romantic suspense authors I read are probably not writing what they know, but they do it amazingly well. Thanks for the great post!
Thanks, Virna. What, you mean you’re not a super agent? (Wait, if you were and told me, then probably you’d have to kill me…) And I agree about the romsusp authors. I know I’ve never been kidnapped, held at gunpoint, tied up, thwarted thieves or anything nearly that exciting in my life. Thank heavens.
Amy Atwell`s last blog was …Which Is Better — The Book or The Movie?
Lol Edie, love your creativity! You mean you’ve never changed bodies with your cat? When I read Catitude I was sure you had.
Amy, I agree on being able to suspend disbelief when reading paranormal, science fiction etc. I don’t believe the author is writing from personal experience most of the time, except maybe with ghosts
. If they are, I’m quite envious of the exciting lives they lead. I think the key to a believable book, outside of your own life, is in the research regardless of what you are writing.
I’m querying a romance right now on the witness protection program and art forgery. I have always been obsessed with both so my extensive reading over the years on the subjects came in handy, since I’ve never been stuck into WITSEC and can barely draw a stickman myself. I think research is key. I recently judged a book in a contest that had to do with the witness protection program and it was way obvious the author had done little to no research. Even the most basic info which could be Googled in Wikipedia was wrong. That’s what I have a problem with. And I find this in books I read too often. Authors who don’t take the time to research and assume they can pass off the book as legit. As a writer, you need to assume that if your readership is picking up your book on a particular subject matter, it may because they have an interest in the subject and read it all the time.
So I think as long as you research well you can write about anything! Go for it!!!
Beth, kudos to you on your research. I love to research new things, too. For Lying Eyes, I had to research Russian history and the mineral/gem alexandrite. Both were fascinating! I think you’re right that readers like to live vicariously through books. I know I love it when a novel teaches me about a new subject through the characters’ eyes.
Most of what I read is supernatural, so I’d have to say most every book I’ve come across fits the bill you’re describing. To my knowledge, none of the authors I read are vampires, ghosts or creatures from another dimension, but they manage to pull it off anyway.
I think “write what you know” can be taken too literally. If you’re writing a story about a down-on-his-luck con man trying to get himself back in the game, then sure, it’ll probably help to know how confidence schemes and the underworld work. More important? Knowing what it’s like to feel your best days are behind you. Can you pull an experience from your own life that will put that emotion out there? That’s where “write what you know” sings.
Between that, research and having a trusted friend read your stuff (if you’re a woman writing a male character, have a guy read it if you’re not sure you have it right), I think the sky’s the limit.
Jeff Clough`s last blog was …Read Worse, Write Better
Thanks for the feedback, Jeff. Interesting that you mention the con-man aspect. I’ve not been one myself, but Cosmo Fortune in my book Lying Eyes *is.* And you’re right–I didn’t focus too much on the sleight of hand of his magic tricks, I spent a lot more effort inside his head trying to get him to admit how he felt after all these years that his secrets were unraveling.
Shakespeare has remained relevant in today’s world not because he tells stories about kings or ghosts tragic lovers. It’s because he tells stories about power, death and love. Universal emotions/truths that haven’t changed so much in generations.
Hi Amy,
I think write what you know should be extended to write what you can make others believe you know!
Many writers would never get their stories finished if they had to stick to their experiences. At least I know I would!
Dale Mayer`s last blog was …Update on my books in progress!
Dale–you may be right. It’s funny that my editor at Carina told me she was fascinated at the subplot in my book about the famous Romanov alexandrite crown that was later turned into a necklace and then dismantled to save the gems when the Romanovs faced death at the hands of the Bolsheviks.
Um, I had to admit that I’d made those alexandrite gems up. Now, as Beth pointed out, research is important. So, I’d researched the gem and I researched a lot of Russian history. I had names and dates, charts and spreadsheets. I built the reality of those gems existing so I could write “facts” about them. The gems themselves don’t exist and never did–but they could have!
Your website looks great! Easy to find things and it is pretty! I really don’t care if an author has first hand knowledge/experience about what they are writing about. As an example, this weekend I was reading a military romantic suspense (Relentless by Kaylea Cross). I really don’t know if you can take an AK 47 apart and hide the parts in the undercarriage of a car to pass through secruity check points and I really didn’t think Kaylea had done that before. I know when I pick up a book if it is fiction or not. Since most of what I read is fiction, I like stories that are made up and will allow me to escape. I do understand that authors work hard to research things too in order to make their fiction book as real as possible. Hope that makes sense and helps. I need to add your books to my list, Amy!
Thanks for swinging by my new site, Amy! It was a battle getting it to look the way I wanted. I think it might have been easier to write another book.
I love your example of Kayla’s book. I know a lot of authors who write police procedurals and thrillers and they give so many specifics about guns or blow-by-blow action sequences. I’m in awe of them. Let’s hope Kayla’s never actually taken an AK-47 across borders. (Sheesh, now I’m sure Homeland Security will be following our blog…)
Yes, you are worrying needlessly. Write with conviction and your reader will believe you.
Karin* Tabke aka Harlow!`s last blog was …CAPA Winner!
Thanks, Karin. You’re right, I’m sure. Hey, have you seen my convictions? I’m sure they’re around here somewhere….
That’s what I love about writing paranormals, Amy. You can make up whatever you like and who’s to tell you you’re wrong. Same thing with romantic science fiction. I can make up whatever world I want and as long as I make it believable, the reader will buy into it.
I do have two books which I’ve set in Milwaukee. I found that an interesting exercise because I’ve lived here all my life and know the city intimately. I enjoyed being able to name streets, condominium units and write about buildings that actually exist. I’m also writing an UF set in San Francisco and while I’ve been there a couple of times, I still had to do quite a bit of research to get the feel of the city right. As mentioned above by severalc ommentors, research really is the key. If you cover your bases with correct facts, you’ve got your reader hooked.
Thanks, Liz. Hey, I didn’t know you were working on a book set in San Fran. Way cool! I’ve tried to set books in places I’ve lived. Luckily, I’ve lived a lot of places. Although I set one story in Montana, and I’ve never even visited the state! But it’s set in winter, and I’ve definitely experienced blizzards. And I baby sat a sheep farm once, so I pulled from that experience. Who knew my crazy life would help me out so much as an author?
I think you’re completely right in your thinking! Honestly I write much more of what I don’t know and I love doing the research! And heck, if we can schedule in a visit to a town we’re writing about, all the better! We’d be very limited if we only wrote what we knew.
Lori–you’re so right about being able to schedule trips to coincide with research! I visited the National Rodeo in Las Vegas for a future book. It was fascinating and definitely worth the time (and expense) to soak up the atmosphere, the sights, smells, sounds. Sure, I could have watched coverage on television, but it would never have been the same!
Amy, love the new website!
All of your characters are people first and that’s why your stories are so good. Kudos to you on that.
I’ve been asked if I’m a witch because of the Witches Anonymous series, so I’m guessing I’m doing something right there. Haven’t been asked if I’m a demon, yet. LOL. I’ve also written characters who are ex-military, spies and Native American shamans…and so far, no one’s complained. I do a ton of research for every character I write. I try to educate myself and talk to real life people in those roles whenever I can. What an education…which is half the fun of writing to me. There’s not much better than immersing myself in a character.
LOL, Misty. You’d be a pretty busy lady if you were a witch, a demon, a spy, a shaman AND a writer! But I totally agree with you–it’s a lot of fun to immerse myself in research, to build not only the plot but the characters within that plot. I’m feeling mighty lucky to be an author!