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HANDYMAN'S HELPER - Alma Alexander - Write What You Know

Jul 13, 2011 12:42

“Write What You Know”

Alma Alexander

© 2011

Ask any writer about the three most frequent pieces of advice that they were given when they were neophytes starting out, and you will likely get a selection of three: “Show Don’t Tell”, “Avoid Passive Voice”, “Write What You Know”.

Those first two can be considered remotely useful, in fact. For the most part ( Read more... )

write what you know, alma alexander, writing, literature, fiction

Comments 9

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jean_roberta July 13 2011, 23:08:08 UTC

If more writers and readers showed your common sense in evaluating "Write what you know" (as Shakespeare didn't), the whole messy conflict over "appropriation of voice" (or culture, or race) that started in the 1980s could have been avoided.

lit_handyman July 14 2011, 11:27:55 UTC

Thanks for reading, Jean!

D-

Write What You Know anonymous July 14 2011, 14:17:05 UTC

Good points!

Maybe it shouldjust be "Know before you Write". If we know our setting or characters well enough before sharing their story we can create a more vivid image of what we imagine for the reader.

clyons

Re: Write What You Know lit_handyman July 20 2011, 16:34:17 UTC

Hi, lady!

Sorry it took so long for a reply, but yes! You are so right :)

Thanks for reading and sharing!

Danielle

wishesofastar July 14 2011, 14:49:45 UTC

"Write what you know" was probably the first advice I heard, and the first to be dismissed. I think a better approach is, start from what you know and extrapolate. What would I do if I were dumped in a foreign country where I didn't know the language? Okay, now I can extrapolate: how would a person with ten years experience in that language, who's been sent to that country to bring back foreign intelligence (but isn't a spy) react? Then I can go from there.

By the way, Spanish Gardens sounds fascinating.

anghara July 14 2011, 17:39:34 UTC

Yes, exactly. Write what you CAN know, and what you can learn.

And thank you - I hope you enjoy reading the book if you pick up a copy when it's released...

lit_handyman July 20 2011, 16:35:17 UTC

Some very good points here. thanks for sharing!

Danielle

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