Creative Captures

Lynn Chapman Writer

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    Notes From The Desk

    Write what you know – what does that mean?

    I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been given this piece of advice, or read it in a book or online. Of course, writing from personal experience can be very effective – but I think it can also be limiting.

    When I first started writing, many moons ago, I used to write only non-fiction. I would write about ‘what I knew’, which was mainly music and tennis. At the time, those were my passions and what made me feel alive. As I studied my craft and gained more experience as a writer, I began writing short stories and poems. I think it was a confidence thing with me: was I good enough? Can I really be creative?

    For me, writing is all about creating, whether that’s a new character, scene, or even a whole new world. I get an incredible buzz when I write something new: a poem, short story, article or whatever. I like to write what I feel as opposed to what I know.

    I’d love to know your thoughts on this.


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    14 responses to “Notes From The Desk”

    1. SUSAN BATTEN avatar
      SUSAN BATTEN

      We all start somewhere, so “write what you know” seems sound advice for the novice writer. It gives you a foothold, and, importantly, you don’t feel a fraud when you try to publish the piece. After all, if you lived it, no-one can challenge it.

      But we evolve and for me, this means moving from what actually happened to what could have happened. Now the world is spread at your feet. Not only this world!

      I agree with Lynn – why be limited when we can go out there and explore those worlds?

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        Thank you for your comments, Susan.

        Reply
    2. Janice Johnson avatar
      Janice Johnson

      I’ve never worried about writing about what I already know but about what I like. If something interests me then I will find out about it. I love history and nature and will researcg until I do know enough about a particular incident or insect. I do think it is important to research so any facts are accurate as they can be.
      I certainly agree that writing about what you feel is essential and characters are driven by feelings. We all have feelings – we know emotions. They make our writing come alive.
      Basically, I think that the ‘rule’ of writing about what you know is too constraining if taken at its basic level. We like to make up stories – that’s being creative.

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        I couldn’t agree more, Janice. I love doing research and if it’s something I’m interested in, I want my brain to soak up everything, like a sponge I guess.
        The good thing is we never stop learning. Have a great week.

        Reply
    3. Mary Dorothea Killeen avatar
      Mary Dorothea Killeen

      Trust your “gut” feelings and all will end well. Write what you know indeed – yes well – MANY years ago when i did Year 10, an English Exam Essay – there were two topics to choose from – “If” or “If Only.” I kid you not. Yours truly wrote several pages of quite creative but utter bull shit on if only oranges did not have that white pith under the skin then it would not get stuck under my fingernails when I peeled the orange. Oddly enough I did pass Year 10 English quite well!!

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        I love your response, Mary!

        Reply
    4. my word (s) avatar
      my word (s)

      An interesting and thought-provoking piece. I think that, somehow, what we know can emerge in our writing. That’s been true for me anyway.

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        I agree, Liz. I’ve especially found this out whilst editing my novel.

        Reply
    5. Charlie avatar
      Charlie

      It’s advice, can’t argue with that, but I don’t agree. You can research anything today. For my last book I learned how to strip a AK-47, detonate a bomb by radio, why the IRA would try to get arms from a Russian in the UK instead of Libya in 1978, a street plan of Tangier, and if bullets really exploded in a fire. I just hope the police don’t decide to look at my laptop 😂😂

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        That’s just brilliant, Charlie! We can indeed research anyhthing and everything these days.

        Reply
    6. Timothy Dittmer avatar
      Timothy Dittmer

      That’s good advice, Lynn, and very nice that you posted about it. Have a great weekend!

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        Thank you, Tim. Have a great week.

        Reply
    7. Fiona avatar
      Fiona

      Sorry for the late reply.
      I remember reading an article about 100 years of Mills and Boon books. It said one of their writers – Violet Winspear – wrote 70 books based in far flung locations, but she never left London!
      Great article Lynn.

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        Hi Fiona,
        Absolutely no need to apologise – it’s so lovely to read your comments.
        Wow – I never knew that about the Mills and Boon writer. What a fantastic output of 70 books, to places she’d never been! The lady deserves great credit for that – can you imagine all that research?

        Reply

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