The adage expressed for new writers is to “write what you know.”
I agree. There should be confidence in your writing. And for most, it’s only possible when you know well what you’re writing on.
But many stop there. They assume they can only write what they know.
Start with what you know, then write what you don’t know but want to.
If writing a novel, blend what you know with what you want to know. If you’re an experienced chef and you’re curious about the culinary arts from the past, then write a historical novel about a chef during Ancient Greece or the Italian Renaissance.
If writing a memoir, write what you experienced with how you wanted to feel. The best memoirs are those that succinctly described what they went through and what it meant to them. They didn’t know how they’d feel at the beginning, but wrote it anyway.
Yes, you should write what you know. But it’s equally important to write what you want to know, what you’re trying to understand.
The world should see how you see it.
Here’s my inspiration for the day.