Write what you know…and make up the rest.

Common advice to people who think they might want to write is “Write What You Know.”

Then again don’t. Especially if you’re extremely anal. Then book stores and libraries would only contain autobiographies and technical manuals.

Don’t be anal. Write what you know and make up the rest. It’s OK.

In an alternate universe I’m associated with a society of amazing authors who mentor and encourage writers of all kinds. We are frequently asked “What should I write about?”

What do you want to write about? The human condition? The great angst of it all? Maybe not. Maybe that has been done too many times. Most of all maybe that isn’t where YOUR heart and soul is.

Or you might say “How can I write about Vampires? I’m not a Vampire.”

No you aren’t a Vampire. However, you know about relationships, you know about desire (I hope for your sake), you know about night, you know about being different, you know about fear, you know about the deep dark thoughts that you didn’t dare let out before NOW. So write what you know AND about Vampires (and zombies, ghosts, trolls, unicorns, talking dogs, dragons, cops, politicians, middle aged men trying to find themselves…)

Another example…

I don’t know first hand about trolls but I know relationships. So I could make up crap about trolls and write about troll romance and troll family drama and I’ve dated more than my share of scientists (in an alternate universe) so I could write about scientists who are tricked by trolls with complex romantic and family relationships. I know how wet dogs and skunks and goblins smell so I can imagine how bad trolls smell. And I know a few politicians so I could write about trolls who are criminals and compulsive liars. Or I could continue to just be silly.

Another example: If you’re writing about dragons write what you know. These are YOUR dragons so they can blow raspberry jelly at people if you want them to, or they can breathe fire. But what you do know is how they’ll react when they find love, or if they’re in danger, or the fear when someone steals their babies or invades their home. You know the feelings. Let your Dragons know your feelings and they’ll let you know theirs.

So what I’m trying to say is that I tell writers to tell their stories. If you can look into the night sky then you know the wonder of Science Fiction.  If you’ve ever loved anyone or had a friend or family you can write about relationships. If you’ve ever enjoyed figuring something out then you can write a mystery. If you know what terrifies the souls of men then you can write horror. The list goes on.

Don’t just write fiction. Write facts. Do research. Follow your passion and put it down on words. Share a story, fiction or non fiction. Just remember that in all fiction is some truth. In all fact is your voice, not just hard cold facts.

Fact or fiction it is your story. YOURS. Your reality, even if you are writing from an alternate universe or from your own desk or breakfast table or under a tree in a meadow.

This my dear readers is an example of a rambling dialogue about writing.  So your assignment is to have fun and start making stuff up – about what you know.

~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman