“Write what you know” is often one of the first “rules” you encounter in the writing world. However, is what you know worthy of writing?

For example, I could write about being a stay-at-home mom with a love of coffee, but- while relatable- it doesn’t make for a great story.

So what do we do?

We expand what we know.

Why the rule exists

The phrase “write what you know” is commonly attributed to Mark Twain, who wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (among other things).

With four words, Twain permanently changed the writing scene, and many writers use the phrase literally.

However, Twain also said not to use exclamation points and kill your adjectives, so maybe take this “rule” with a grain of salt.

How to use it properly

Instead of taking “write what you know” literally, you can use it to add emotion and details to your story.

For example, let’s say your character goes to Paris. If you’ve been to Paris, you can use that information (aka what you know) in the story.

Tell us how they felt when they saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Or when they entered Notre Dame and met the gargoyles. Tell us how they liked (or disliked) the food, how they felt navigating the metro, and what made them feel at peace in a strange city.

“Write what you know” isn’t talking about strict knowledge. It’s asking us to use our knowledge to inform our storytelling. That way, we can create rich, vibrant stories in far-off worlds that still feel like home.

Time to break free

On the other hand, “write what you know” does limit your scope of imagination- especially if there’s not much going on in your life.

That’s where research comes in!

We, as authors, are constantly learning about new things, and we can add those things into the “what you know” category of our minds. Plus, research often leads to real-life experiences.

Say you’re writing about an avid paraglider, but you’ve never ridden on one before. So, you research paragliding, gather knowledge, and eventually book a paragliding session. Now, you know exactly what it feels like to soar through the air.

Research opens up new avenues for adventure, and it’s as easy as opening up Google and thinking: “I wonder if…”

Some of my go-to places for research (besides Google) are:

• The Phrontistery– Forgotten/Obscure words and their meanings
• Atlas Obscura– Weird news from around the world
• Wikipedia– Information on just about everything
• On This Day– Birthdays and notable events for every day of the year
• National Today– Holidays from around the world

Check them out, and break free of the “write what you know” mentality!

Conclusion

Write what you know is a well-known “rule” of writing, but you don’t have to take it literally. Instead, use what you know to inform your writing and give your readers something familiar to cling to in an otherwise unfamiliar situation.

Remember, “Write what you know” may be one of the oldest writing rules- but that doesn’t mean you have to follow it!