Writing What You Know or Not?

One thing I learned very quickly when I decided that pursuing a career in writing was what I wanted to do: people have their own opinions.

One thing I learned when I started aiming for better health: everyone's journey is different.

Before I start this trek to a better me, I knew both of these things but I didn't KNOW them. And the farther I get on this journey the more I realize that the things I've learned for writing goes very well for better health and vice versa.

On this journey to a better me, I've been aiming to experience more of life, to get over fears. With that, I can know more. And then my writing can become more realistic and overall better.

You know, because everyone always says write what you know.

That phrase has been the reason I've been told on multiple occasions that I can't become a successful writer, I'm too young. I don't know real hardships in life. "That's why it's good you're writing for young adults because no one would listen to a child like yourself. You'd never sell any books."

Which has always annoyed me, because although my life hasn't been full of strife, I know of many people my age who have gone through a lot. Just because someone is young doesn't mean they've not experienced anything in life.

But being told things life that, make me really wonder.

Should you only write what you know?

I understand there are a lot of pros to that.

1) you actually know what you're talking about

2) you can write very detailed about certain things, like injuries.
- I recently got my first jellyfish sting. Everything I had ever read about them was nothing like it actually felt. Now, it wasn't a bad sting, but it was nothing like I actually expected.

But there is one major con to only writing what you know: it is limiting to what you can write.

I write fantasy, and the likeliness of me ever finding a dragon to let me ride on its back to experience that is highly unlikely (although if you know of one that's let me try, please contact me;)).

No matter how much research I do into certain things, I won't truly know them unless I experience them. And as much as I am willing to do to improve my writing, I think I'll avoid getting shot or stabbed just to know exactly what it feels like.

But I do have a vivid imagination and I'm able to visualize quite a bit. Smells, sights, emotions, none of it is offlimitsoto my imagination. If it is suggested, I visualize it.

With writing, I have learned there is so much more to it than what you know.

It's as much about that as what you can imagine. And how accurate your imaginings can be.

What is your opinion? Do you prefer writing what you know or do you like to explore new realms in your imagination?

Until next time,
Shelby