If you ask most writers the key to success they will say two things: read a lot and write a lot. Of course some will even argue that one must learn the skill, but their is a unanimous third requirement that few take into consideration: live life. That’s right live your life. Writing what you know not what you have heard is a great advantage in narration. For instance, when I write I like to have settings that are based on towns that I have been too. That way I can sketch a more realistic story and keep the reader entertained and not roadblocked with foolish mistakes.
Write what you know.
I understand that writing what you know may be strange when regarding fiction, and I’m not telling you to go slay a dragon and play with swords just to write a fantasy novel, but you can work around the premise of each topic. If the valiant knight which slays the dragon is also in love with the maiden who lives in the cottage down by the river then speak from your heart. If you have ever been in love than you know how to cultivate the feelings of a man to a woman (or a man to man for that matter) and illustrating the emotions to your readers will flow simply.
Neil Gaiman discusses this topic in wonderful detail in the following video. It is fairly old but each word holds just as true.
What do you think? Discuss below.
