Stick With What You Know?
As a new author, should you stick to what you know?
So you want to write a book? You have an idea, so now what? I have read so many fantastic books through my life so far. I have read romance, mystery, crime and historical novels and the one thing they have in common is that the author makes the act of writing a book look so easy… of course, it isn’t. It can be rewarding and fun but can be frustrating; sometimes banging your head against a brick wall seems more productive than trying to complete the word count you’re trying to write.
Writing what you know may in many ways make it easier, right? Does it though? Yes, I think in some ways it can. Having previous knowledge of something adds depth to a plot or character.
A piece of advice I have heard a few times as I start out is “write what you know.” BUT, I think this needs to be heeded with caution. A debut crime novel from a new writer doesn’t mean that they have experienced the crimes held within first hand. There is no way you could know about a historical novel unless you research events – well, unless you have a time machine. I say if writing what you know suits your idea, then that is great but it shouldn’t mean you miss the opportunity to write about a new subject that interests you.
What are your thoughts? Are you a first time author? How are you approaching your novel – are you writing about what you know? Are you a more experienced author? What do you think?
by 
I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
One Response to Stick With What You Know?
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I think it very much depends on what you want to write about. If you’re looking to write historical, crime or thriller novels then there has got to be a degree of research before you start, you can’t just invent it. My first novels were very much an example of ‘write what you know’. I’d grown up in a village and in a provincial town so the backdrops were easy to write and set my characters in. I also knew about farming communities and businesses within those kind of towns, so taking something of the truth and weaving it around fiction made things much easier. I think as you write you develop and within that development perhaps grow a little bolder with your work. In my latest soon to be published novel The Other Side of Morning, part of the action takes place in Verona. I’d visited the city many years ago but it was only a distant memory accompanied by a few holiday shots. Hooray for Google Earth! I could home in on the city and wander the streets, setting my action in places I could describe. The opening chapters of the novel are also set abroad, in Bali, a place I have never visited, but again the internet proved absolutely invaluable. I discovered a luxury resort there with a very comprehensive brochure and using that was able to set the scene. So for me it’s a balance: writing about what I know and using internet information to assist.