Our topic this week, weirdly enough, is one I've been thinking about lately. Someone on twitter basically said, something to the affect of, if a writer isn't (fill in the blank with religion, race, creed, whatever) then he or she shouldn't be writing about a character that is. Or, something like that. My thought was, that's the old mantra of write what you know, which is something most writers are told.
Here's my thought. Oh hell no! I can't imagine anyone wanting to read a book based around stuff that I "know." I'm in my 40s, never been married, don't have kids, teacher, sexual abuse survivor, child of an alcoholic parent . . . Weeeeee!!!! So much fun! I bet everyone would be rushing to read that shit. NOT!
Write what you know is ridiculous because I'm not a vampire, werewolf, ghost, demon, alien, or anything else paranormal and no other author I know is either. Oh wait, I'm not a guy either so there shouldn't be men in my books. Very hard to have a MF romance without the male half. So, if we stick with the whole idea of the writing rule, then none of those stories would exist.
As a writer, I want to tell the best story I can so I use that magical thing called an imagination. My heroes and heroines are my creation and if they happen to be another race, color, creed, sexual orientation, or from another planet then that's how I'll write them. Because, to me, those people I create are the story. If I had another character then the story would be completely different.
I write romance. So, none of my books are going to be part of Oprah's Book Club or some kind of shit. I'll leave the gritty, true-to-life, tear-jerkers to other people because that's not my style. I've lived the crap so I certainly don't want to write about it. I want my books to be a form of fun escape and, my characters, people you can like. They aren't there to make a statement.
To me, this is writing what I know. I know how to daydream. I know how to escape using my imagination. So I want to create the same thing for my readers.
And that's my opinion on the entire issue. Now aren't you glad someone asked?? Hahahahahaha!
Now run over and check out what the other ladies have to say.
Jessica
Bronwyn
Kris
Jessica D
Kellie
Paige
See you next week! -- Gwen
Yay for imagination!!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Can't do anything without it.
DeleteI don't believe you. When writing about hot sweaty dudes I know you've done some research. I read your blog. I see the pictures *wink*
ReplyDeleteLOL!! I looooove research. :-)
DeleteYeah I don't think anyone's going to be clamoring to read the book about a stay at home mom in sweat and tshirt who cooks, cleans, and hides away to read a good book once in a while. So yeah, the strict, 100% literal interpretation of "write what you know"....doesn't work for me. LOLOL
ReplyDeleteBut, Jess, our lives are so amazing!!! When I think of us I think merry-go-round of constant fun and adventure. LOL
DeleteI run with bears, people. Folks want that shit! Just kidding...I just run where bears are and they sometimes want to join in;) I think that including things you know can help...it's just not a restriction.
ReplyDeleteYou don't just run with bears, you fight them off if they get in your way. That's because you're awesome.
Delete