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Write what you know?
Mar. 18th, 2011 12:05 pmMore like, write what you want to know. At least, that seems the way my brain works. I'm currently excited about a new project that is just in the planning/development stages, which means I don't want to be too specific so I don't jinx it. And maybe it will only go so far--they don't all make it to become full novels, you know. But I'm excited because I don't know of anything out there that takes place in this setting and involves this specific premise (another reason I don't want to talk about it!)
But what I "know"--the feelings part I get; the way the characters interact, what the tensions are between them, and the internals of the humans in it. That's the part I think they mean when they say "write what you know." Because if the emotions in the book aren't true, it's very hard to keep your reader invested. But the other parts...well, let's just say, RESEARCH? Like, a ton. Which is why I'm not sure if I can make it work. Fascinating research, something I've been interested in for years as a regular, non-expert human being. Related to the kinds of research my mom used to be fascinated in reading when I was growing up. (Not typical mom stuff.) Also, it's the sort of thing where (professional) research is ongoing, and I'll have to strike just the right balance between fact and fiction so that I don't write a whole book and find out the research has proven something else entirely. I'm looking forward to it, though.
Hoping all of you who write are having new ideas sprouting for spring!
But what I "know"--the feelings part I get; the way the characters interact, what the tensions are between them, and the internals of the humans in it. That's the part I think they mean when they say "write what you know." Because if the emotions in the book aren't true, it's very hard to keep your reader invested. But the other parts...well, let's just say, RESEARCH? Like, a ton. Which is why I'm not sure if I can make it work. Fascinating research, something I've been interested in for years as a regular, non-expert human being. Related to the kinds of research my mom used to be fascinated in reading when I was growing up. (Not typical mom stuff.) Also, it's the sort of thing where (professional) research is ongoing, and I'll have to strike just the right balance between fact and fiction so that I don't write a whole book and find out the research has proven something else entirely. I'm looking forward to it, though.
Hoping all of you who write are having new ideas sprouting for spring!
