Don’t Write What You Know, Write What You Feel Strongly About
Writers are always told to write what they know. If you’re a new writer, this is a concern. Does it mean that you’ll be stuck writing about your home town and the company you work for forever? Of course not. “Write what you know” really means: “Write what you feel deeply about”.
This means that as a writer, you need to be attuned to your emotions. No, I’m not getting all touchy-feely. This is pragmatic. You need to know what you’re enthusiastic about and what you care about, because those are the things that you will write about most easily and with the greatest authority. And then people, beginning with editors and finishing with readers, will read what you write.
==> Jennifer’s story
Let’s look at a scenario. Jennifer lost her job as a company accountant when the company was bought out. She’s always wanted to write, and in her spare time has sold freelance articles about her hobby, which is gardening in small spaces. She decided that she’ll use her generous redundancy package to take a year and try to establish a career as a professional writer.
Jennifer is a hard-headed business woman, and a little research tells her that the people making the most money out of writing are romance writers. Mary Higgins Clark, known as “The Queen of Romantic Suspense”, landed a multi-book contract for 24 million, and that sounds good to Jennifer.
In the year she’s given herself, Jennifer applies herself with zeal, and writes two romantic suspense novels. On the strength of her writing, she gets an agent. The agent tells her that although Jennifer is a strong writer, she hasn’t yet nailed the romantic suspense form, and she doubts that she will be able to sell either novel. She recommends that Jennifer apply herself to some serious study of romantic suspense, and then write an outline of a new novel.
Jennifer is disappointed, and falls into a depression. Then she starts to look for another job as an accountant.
What did Jennifer do wrong?
Essentially, nothing. She’s landed an agent, who believes that Jennifer can write romantic suspense. This is good. In a couple of years Jennifer will probably sell a novel, if she wants to — IF SHE CARES DEEPLY ENOUGH ABOUT WRITING ROMANTIC SUSPENSE.
==> The moral of Jennifer’s story: go for the feeling
Write what you love to write. Yes, you can write for money, but your focus must always be on what moves you. Only by inspiring yourself can you hope to inspire your readers.
It’s vital that you care about the topics you choose to write about. This is because your conviction and enthusiasm will come through in your words. You can’t fake it. Many people look at a genre like romantic suspense, which is popular, and in which some authors make big money, and think — I could do this. If they love to read romantic suspense, they probably can do it. On the other hand, if they’re attracted solely by the money, the chances are that they can’t.
“Write what you feel deeply about” applies in fiction because people read fiction for an emotional experience. They read horror to be scared, romance to be overcome by passion, and adventure novels to become enveloped in excitement and roam the world, while relaxed on the sofa. All those emotions are channelled through the author. You must feel those emotions, in order to be able to arouse them in the reader. If you can’t arouse them in yourself, you will write what nobody will read with pleasure — not even you. 
The same thing applies to nonfiction. You may know as much about the planet Mars as you do about Mars Bars, but if you’re intrigued and excited about Mars exploration, of course you can write about it. If you’re enthusiastic you’ll immerse yourself in the subject, and within a short period you’ll know enough to start developing ideas for feature articles and books.
You’ve now got the key which will unlock many doors — write what you FEEL.
Stuck in your writing career? Get a coach! Angela Booth coaches writers in copywriting (writing for business), nonfiction, and fiction. A veteran writer, published by major publishers worldwide, Angela is also an experienced writing teacher, who knows how to inspire and motivate. You CAN make a success of your writing career. Free daily info for writers at her blog: http://copywriter.typepad.com/ Start your writing coaching today by contacting Angela at her site http://angelabooth.com/ Angela offers personal one-on-one e-courses and mentoring for all forms of writing. Ask for a low-cost initial phone or email consultation.
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