What You Know

When I conduct Creative Writing Workshops I never use the phrase

'write what you know.' 

Believe me when facing 10-15 students the last thing they want to hear is 'write what you know.' 

Because we all know heaps. The statement has more to do with... is 'what we know' interesting. 

Old Lady Cooking

Ask yourself will my knowledge develop an awesome character, saving the day, carrying off the maiden, or worming their way into the physiological mind of your serial killer, probably not, because that sort of stuff for the most part takes research (unless of course you're a physiologist or Superman).

But there are things you know that can be used for the fillers, and the structure. 

Most of us have an idea of where we grew up, the area we live in, and the people we meet in everyday life. 

These things are useful, as long as your neighbour doesn't recognise him/herself in your latest novel, which can be damn embarrassing, or more importantly land you in court.

 
Yet it’s a great place to start building your character's profile, where they live, their lifestyle, does your character's lifestyle fit their profile etc.

Most people who attend writing workshops aren't beginners, most have been fiddling with words all their lives, so in many cases they already have many stories, some good, some not so good. 

They always ask 'how do I know if this is a good story.'

 

Hermit

The story has potential if it's engaging, if you can develop empathy or hatred for the characters, if you're still reading at 3 am in the morning. 

Just pull out one of your old stories and see what you liked or disliked about it. 

If you liked your characters, but not the story, then work them into a new story line, and visa versa. 

The newspapers always have great story lines, either true or false. It's all about false news these days. Find one that resonates with you and write about it, expand on it, create a whole new version.

One of the most important things about good writing is being an avid reader. 

If you read, you'll instinctively know what's worthwhile. 

In my workshops I ask students 'who are your favourite authors.' 

One of the best ways to write is to read the genres you want to write. 

It's not copying, its tuition, its experience, creating the knowledge, and turn of phrase. 

Last year 2019 I attended a Fiona McArthur workshop (https://www.fionamcarthurauthor.com/). 

 

Crossing the Road

Fiona said start writing 500 words a day, do not reread the words, nor edit anything written for a week, and after seven days, you'll have written 3500 words. 

It worked a treat, and rebooted my enthusiasm. 

Another important thing is to make the time, and a place to write, take your writing seriously, start moving a pen across your page, and live the journey.

Writing Exercise: 

Take a look at the above photos and write a story incorporating any one of them, or all three if you have the story scope.