During my promo for my latest prehistoric fiction, Laws of Nature. one of my wonderful hosts posted this article I wrote about one of those truisms in writing that every writer-in-training learns from day one. In case you missed it, here’s a revisit:
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Mark Twain started it when he said, “Write what you know.” From then on, writers take that as gospel. Dig deep. Scratch out what you feel/think/are passionate about and bleed it onto the page. As new writers it’s one of three truths pounded into us–Show don’t tell, Murder your babies, and Write what you know.
No one ponders the truth that fiction writers make stuff up. Most authors haven’t seen London blow up though thriller writers postulate it all the time. How about a massive gorilla atop the Empire State Building? Fantasy writers make up whole worlds and species as do SciFi aficionados. Did they not get the memo? What about Hannibal Lector, cutting people’s heads open to eat their living brain? Or Criminal Minds‘ psycho killers? I’d rather drink Drano than think they’re real.
In a rational literary world, making stuff up makes sense. It’s called ‘fiction’, which Webster defines as ‘not real’ (I’ve abbreviated, but you get the idea). How does that jive with ‘Write what you know’? What Mark Twain should have said–maybe meant to say–was ‘Lie creatively. Do your research, weave with zest, be believable, and write’. But that’s got all the literary charisma of a dirty needle.
Maybe he meant it as a suggestion, Write what you know. Or not. Your choice.
I confess, I tried to ‘write what I know’. Then I fell in love with prehistoric fiction which is impossible to know. I researched the world long before records were kept and wrote that story, making sure to only write what I knew to be true. It was boring. No one cared because it had no power, passion, or pull.
That’s when the truth hit me: Great authors don’t write what they know. They convince readers to ‘willingly suspend their disbelief’ and not care if it’s not true.
Today, thirty years and counting into my writing journey, I understand: The connotative definition of ‘write what you know’ is completely different from the denotative one, and that’s good. Since realizing that, I’ve written almost a million words that have no basis in my life, history, or reality.
How about you?
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Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also the author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Natural Selection, Spring 2022.
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I remember the “write what you know” from reading Anne of Green Gables as a girl where that’s the disheartening advice she received. I like the way you breathe new life to the advice! Perhaps what the original advice meant was that the novice author would do well to focus on writing what they know, and the unsaid portion was once they “graduate” they are ready to give the reader new realms, new revelations?
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Thanks! I loved one of your posts over on your blog–the humorous video about sometimes great ideas are killed by those who don’t understand them. As you can see by my sidebar, the characters are perfect for my writing!
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Thank you so much! Do you like even the nose-picking mannerisms that were deliberately introduced? 🙂
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What an inspiring article, Jacqui – it makes me think about that concept in a whole new way. My trouble is that I started writing about things I knew nothing about, and slowly coming back to more familiar subjects. Toni x
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You have a lot of company among writers–writing what you know nothing about. I love doing that because then I get to learn about it!
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Such a great topic, Jacqui. I have to agree about writing what you know – or not. After all, there’s so many things we haven’t dreamt up yet, something we haven’t heard of much so why not put that down into words. It can certainly apply to both fiction and non-fiction. As a non-fiction writer, I’m not afraid to let my mind wander and come up with endless possibilities.
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I’ve been writing/researching the metaverse for my education blog. That sure blurs the line between what we know and don’t!
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Great post, Jacqui, and great comment thread! ‘Making it up’ is the whole joy of writing for me. But how many rabbit holes have I dived down in order to get it right when it comes to ‘what other people will probably know’. For example, I know an awful lot more about watercraft after writing my last 2 novels!
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Isn’t that fun! I love that part of writing, that we learn so much.
Looking forward to your upcoming book.
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Oooh, I’m so pleased, Jacqui!😊🐚
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Excellent blog post, Jacqui. I have to admit, when I heard the phrase ‘write what you know’, it did stop me from writing especially ancient history era. Then I decided I am going to do it anyway. You are so right. Fiction is creating worlds and ‘suspending belief’.
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Yes, that is so true. How could you know about ancient history? And I know from our conversations, you’re like me in that–you researched until you felt like you’d been there. You even visited the places!
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I’ve been lucky enough to visit a number of the locations in my ancient historical stories. The research does make a difference in providing enough detail and information to feel as if you’ve been there.
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I think “write what you know” means you add realism to your characters. You’ve been sad, angry, happy – so you can give real emotion to your character. If you were to write a main character who is a [insert profession here] it would help if you were familiar to the profession, so to a reader it seems genuine, but google is very helpful!
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I agree, Anita. No one can possibly know all the circumstances that occur in fiction, but we can know the feelings.
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Perhaps Twain should have said, “Write what you’re interested in.” Let’s face it, if you’re not interested in airplanes, you’re not going to give one a big part in your story. Or are there writers who do exactly that?
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That is true, Glynis. At least, it is for me!
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I’ve never been sure what to make of that advice, either, Jacqui. I tend to like to write what’s preoccupying me. That goes for both my fiction and my blogging. If a subject won’t loosen its hold on my imagination, I write about it, and in writing about it, I learn more about it. I live by this quote from E.M. Forster: “How do I know what I think until I see what I say?”
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I couldn’t have said it better. That–writing about something so you figure it out–is why I write prehistoric fiction. What is our backstory, for goodness sake???
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Murder your babies!?! “Kill your darlings” is much less gruesome.
It’s a good thing you enjoy research!
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You are so right! I’ve been ‘killing a few darlings’ for over a month!
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It’s no easy task!
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Congratulations on reaching the 30 year mark! You’ve accomplished so much on your writing journey, and I think more great things are to come.
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That’s a little scary, innit–30 years writing! Sigh. You, too I gather?
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I’m in my 40th year of writing and my 25th as a published novelist, which is partly why thoughts of winding down come to mind more often than they did a couple of years ago. When I stop enjoying writing, I’ll stop altogether.
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40 years. Not many people can say they were passionate about something for 40 years. You are very lucky, girlfriend.
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Thanks, Jacqui. I do feel very blessed.
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Jacqui, I’m going to mention you’re How to Write blog in mine, and include a link. I think it’s so useful for newer authors who grapple with the write what you know concept.
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That is so kind. I’ll be sure to drop in, Debra.
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I’m on my second book of “writing what I don’t really know,” but I guess I love the challenge. 🙂
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I find by the time I finish the fiction story, I feel like I DO know. How about you?
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I say know what you write. Do a thorough research, then fill in the gaps. Historical writer here, and also one who sets novels not necessarily in countries already visited…
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I come out of writing my prehistoric fiction a lot smarter than when I started. That’s fun.
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I learnt a lot about a lot of times and places too 😛
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Writing what you know is a sound philosophy, but how does this let us explore things we may not know about. That’s where research comes in handy. If I’m going to include something from the 18th century, I’m going to research it to make sure it’s historically accurate. I know you feel the same.
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Yep, absolutely. Memoirs, biographies, autobios–all wonderful and they also put me there.
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Muy cierto uno debe convencer a sus lectores y persuadir los de ir a sus mundos. Te mando un beso
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Excellent point. If we don’t make our ‘fiction’ believable, our readers won’t join us. Thanks, Citu.
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The problem with me is that what I know is boring. What I make up, invent or otherwise get on a page is much more interesting.
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Surely, you’ve heard about the 10-season TV series about nothing by a funny man named Seinfeld? Boring never stopped him!
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But he was an interesting boring. 😉
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I’m in season 5 so far. You’re right–he’s interesting.
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Hi Jacqui – I don’t think you can always write what you know when it comes to plot and setting, but I think the “knowing” part is understanding how characters interact. This comment is coming from a novice writer, though (me!). As a reader, I really appreciate authors with great imaginations!
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But you’re absolutely right! ‘knowing’ is about much more than experiences.
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Thought provoking Jacqui.. I do write about things I have experienced but when I write fantasy I use the opportunity often to explore the ‘what ifs’ of life, particularly roads I might not have taken.
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I love that! As one who believes in other dimensions and other worlds, that really works for me.
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Some writers, like Diana Peach, Sandra, Cox, and YOU are better at this than others, but I get what you mean. Write so that the reader believes- that’s the trick.
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Yep. And thank you for the compliment!
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Well said, Jacqui. It’s all about suspending disbelief, isn’t it? Turning the unreal into the reader’s reality. And may I say, you do it well:)
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As do you. I’m right there, in the old west, on a ranch, riding a horse…
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Smiling:)
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I like this Jacqui…‘Lie creatively. Do your research, weave with zest, be believable, and write’. There has to be some believable aspect to the story. Wild fantasy really puts me off. 😊
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I do get annoyed when the author doesn’t seem to make any effort to convince me. I’ve seen a few TV shows like that lately, that will remain anonymous.
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I write fantasy ormade up stuff a lot so that part is made up but how the characters react or little things within are things I know. I think it makes things believable within a story. Good post and thoughts, Jacqui 🙂
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Those threads–connecting your reality to your characters’ fantasy–that to me is what makes your stories believable.
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I guess fiction just has to be believable as a possibility. Our imaginations can fill in a lot of blanks as long as the foundation for the idea is solid.
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That is the essence, at least in my understanding. Well said, Anneli.
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Hi Jacqui, I write what I know form the perspective that my characters are often people with backgrounds in finance or accounting and they often work in corporates. Sometimes they are writers. That is about as far as my reality goes in my works. I’ve not been drowned, beaten to death, shot at, or burned. I’ve not been to hell, or fought in a war. I have visited the UK and many parts of SA so the settings for my stories are easier. I haven’t been to New Jersey though. Hmmm, interesting post and I think research is key.
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Isn’t that the truth, Robbie. Most of us have never been where we write about. Well, not emotionally or plot-wise. Even if we go visit, it’s not the same. Thanks for clarifying all of this.
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Certainly, if you are writing fiction, you get to make things up. But you have to know how to have your reader suspend belief or convince them it’s possible. For non-fiction, you better know what you write. I often check the sources one uses before reading the book!
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That’s the secret, Jeff–you’ve hit on the crucial piece. I do too–about the sources.
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What a fabulous post, Jacqui! While I often insert familiar things into my stories, I often write way outside my realm of knowledge. That’s why God created research! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
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Well I can say from experience it sure works.
Request: I’m featuring two of Linda Broday’s books on my Friday Valentine Romance post. I think I remember right–she’s your sil? Would you mind mentioning it so she could drop in and say hi? You know I get lots of comments and we writers always love hearing from authors themselves! It would be much appreciated.
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“Lie creatively” — You have coined an excellent phrase. And it’s good advice.
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Hehee. Thank you.
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I love your edit of Twain’s famous line: “What Mark Twain should have said–maybe meant to say–was ‘Lie creatively. Do your research, weave with zest, be believable, and write’.” If I wrote strictly along the lines of what I know, my books would be pretty boring!
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Mine, too! But your imagination of what might be true bring to life whole new worlds that are appealing in so many ways. Often, I’d prefer that to the reality of ‘what I know’.
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I actually think readers will put up with a lot of make believe as long as the characters thoughts, choices, and emotions make sense. And we all have that knowledge inside us.
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Really good point.
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No way we could write what we know. We just have to convince readers we do.
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I actually thought of your science fiction as I was writing this. Your world may be true, but we won’t know for a while.
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To entice readers to “willing suspend belief” — the goal of fiction. Love it, Jacqui!
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Well said, Grant. We just have to give them a reason to believe the impossible and readers will run with it!
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I recently had to do a promotional video for an author event, and one of the things I was asked to address in the vid was advice for new writers. I brought up the “write what you know” line, but my advice to them was and is “write what you’re passionate about.” That passion shines through in what we write to create an engrossing story. I would say writing what you’re passionate about rings true for you with prehistoric fiction, Jacqui! 🙂
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What great advice, Mae. That is so true. I’m running through memories of what I liked that I wrote–all related to a passionate topic. Thanks for adding that.
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Maybe Mr. Twain was helping new writers to find a way to start to write when he said write what you know. My writing other than business marketing began as a memoir. I have written three non-fiction self help books. Just writing what I knew in the first person gave me a start. Leaping to fiction I had to learn different skills. If I had tried to write fiction all at once I think I would have given up. Twain was a newspaper reporter so he knew how to write facts. Then he took off to write stories we are still reading with awe. When someone asks me how to get started writing I tell them to write a short story of an experience they had that was memorable. If you can do that then maybe you can write with more imagination and turn it into a book people will read in awe.
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I think Twain was referring to new writers. It does help one develop a feel for this art and initially helps us stick with something that turned out to be a lot harder than we thought it would be!
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I agree. I think he meant if you don´t know where to start, then write what you know. It´s always a good place to start. I started writing about a trip I took to the middle east, but it was boring and didn´t reflect the excitement I felt when I was there. So I told it from the point of view of a twelve-year-old and threw in an adventure. But I started with something I knew.
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I know exactly what you mean. My passion for ancient man came out boring until I added adventure and endearing characters.
There’s an article there… Hmm…
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If I had to hazard a guess, I’d bet that the “write what you know” quote was taken out of context. It would be interesting to find the original source. I’ve always thought in terms of “write what you know how to write about.”
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I did a quick DDG on the phrase, but got nowhere beyond ‘Mark Twain’. Lots of discussion, though, because experts seem to consider it more of a starting point at best, misunderstood at worst.
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I agree with the experts!
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I write fantasy and make up stuff all the time. I look at it as writing what you wish you knew and what you wish was real.
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I think fantasy writers blow up that whole idea. Through great fantasy, we writers come to understand what Twain said is a whole lot deeper than a trope.
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I like to write what brings me joy. I love what you write, Jacqui!
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I suspect that goes under Mae’s expanded explanation that ‘what you know’ is as much about passion. Your stories all have happy endings–a nod to your true passion of bringing joy to readers.
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Several people have told me I should write about my experiences in the north, but if I did, I don’t know if it should be classified as fiction or a memoir. If a memoir, I’m not sure anyone would believe it! Cheers.
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One of my favorite naturalist writers–Peter Matthiessen–wrote about nature as it became part of his life. Your blog posts are always about the natural world around you (I think–I’m still a bit new to your blog). That is what you know and I’d guess it has affected your life.
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I was thinking more about my work life. I have so many quirky and off-beat northern experiences that I’m not sure anyone would believe me! 🙂
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Smiling at the “rather drink drano” haha – and the part about convincing readers was interesting.
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Thanks! It hurts my throat just thinking of that line!
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I know – and just a powerful one to make us shriek — haha
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