Write what you know

This is one of the first pieces of advice aspiring writers are given. To an extent, I think it’s true. On the other hand, though, writing what we know limits us in what we explore and want to tell.

I’d like to extend that piece of advice, and add research what you don’t.

With the power of the internet, we can reach all places on the globe. More people can read, and criticise, with the click of the mouse.

As more voices are being heard, there’s more opinions on what should and shouldn’t be said, how groups of people should and shouldn’t be portrayed.

As artists, our work is open to scrutiny. Not everyone will like what we write, and that’s fine. We need the diversity. We need the conversations that erupt when people don’t agree with what is said, or how it’s said.

What we can do, is make sure we research what it is we haven’t experienced.

Not just reading and watching, but talking, opening that dialogue with people who have lived the life you want to portray.

Talk to as many people as you can.

Not everyone experiences things the same way.

In the end, be true to your characters and what they represent. Token characters are no longer (and rightly so) seen as good and fun.

So yes, write what you know, but research what you don’t.

Push the boundaries, but not with tired representations. 

Give main characters mental and physical issues.

Don’t kill off queer characters.

Don’t have ever screaming female characters.

Don’t always have the tough guy untouchable.

Don’t always have straight, white lead characters.

There’s so many people in the world. Give them all a voice.

As always, have fun.