I’ve heard the saying that we should write what we know. That may not necessarily mean we need to know about magic to write a fantasy story. It means we should know something about courage, if our hero needs to overcome odds, or love if there’s a romance.
If we want to write about something happening, it helps if we’ve experienced it. I love horses and riding, and can write with authenticity about horses. I enjoy multiple martial arts, so I can write with some authenticity on those, too. I sew and cook and do all kinds of activities. Some activities and themes are closer to my heart than others. I tend to write about love and loyalty, sometimes the love being familial or friendship instead of romantic. I prefer to write about adventures and being a warrior, even if it’s a modern warrior. I wouldn’t write about skydiving, as I have no experience with it and no intention of learning. When possible, I like to do what I want to write about, even if it’s at a lesser level than what I might put in the book. I don’t have to hang off the side of a mountain to know what climbing feels like. I’m an indoor climber, but I know how it feels to have your arms get tired and risk falling. I have hiked and backpacked, so I know what it’s like to sleep in a tent with the wolves howling nearby and the bears passing through the campsite. When I’m not writing, I like to live a life that I can write about. I like to experience some form of adventure. I know what it’s like to train for something, getting up early for something I love, and care for someone I love immensely, even someone who is ill. I’ve experienced spiritual growth and had transformative experiences. I’ve had the love of my life and lost him to illness. I write about things that mean something to me. Even when I’m writing fantasy or adventure, I use that as a scene in which I write about love or pursuing goals or finding their place in the world. I write about friendships and community, even when that’s a side story, because those themes resonate with me. Go and write what you know and feel is true. Write for you first and foremost. Just write.
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AuthorI’ve been writing stories for myself for years. Now, I’m a published author. No genre is off limits, though I have some favorites. Archives
January 2021
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