Art Imitating Life
There is still a piece of writing advice that is floating around telling writers to, “write what you know.” Certainly that has utility as a starting point. We might experience a beautiful sunset or view, have an activity or hobby that we’re an expert in, or come from a particular background that we want to express. All of these can serve as inspiration to start writing. Nevertheless, if we limit ourselves to just writing what we know, then we create a closed-minded story.
Rather than “write what you know,” add a piece that says, “and research beyond that.” When we write with curiosity, we write a more well-rounded story that has the vibrancy of real life. For example, we may have many characters populating our story but only some of them are main characters. One trap we can fall into is making the other side characters seem less important or less motivated. Instead, we can remember that each person existing in the world has their own perspective and experiences guiding their actions which creates a richer story. Sure, this character is on the page for a couple paragraphs, but what makes them the main character of their own story? When we write in that way, anyone reading can feel engaged in the story.
Another example to consider is setting. We can write from places that we have been, but that limits those who might not have the financial means to travel or to do so safely. Some places are also impossible to travel to as they are magical or scientific beyond our current knowledge. However, these places can exist in stories and we would be more limited by not having our Wonderlands, the Cosmere, or any number of sci-fi/fantasy books that don’t take place on earth. This makes imagination equal to lived experience and sometimes more important as it helps us imagine beyond what we could physically experience in our world.
When it comes to the additional, “research beyond that” advice, this can be important for a variety of things. Firstly, if you’re depicting an activity or profession that you’re not as familiar with, writing it accurately will help others learn about it correctly and help experts to not feel cast out by a falsity. This might mean hiring or at least speaking to a professional in the field to help guide your writing. At the very least, some research is important to understand what you’re trying to capture. Secondly, research is important if you’re depicting certain cultures. Look out for stereotypes and biases that might influence how you describe them and strive to do so with accuracy and respect. In this case, hiring a sensitivity reader is a must. It may also be good to ask yourself, “why am I telling this story?” A writer’s responsibility is to understand what they’re writing and the impact that it can have on others.
At the end of the day, it is your story to write. Just remember to keep your curiosity alive so that you can write much deeper stories to engage your readers.