[Writer Post] Writing Beyond What You Know

Welcome to the Wednesday post… I should be writing a short story. I have a deadline, and time is going to be running a bit short.

I actually pitched a short story for an anthology. The pitch was accepted (the story still has to be finished, turned in, and then the finish product accepted), but this is the first time I’ve actually done a story pitch instead of just writing the story and sending it in.

This is one of those situations where I’m actually going to put my lack of first-hand knowledge to use in the story. The anthology is based around a location – one I’ve never visited and can’t just up and go to for a variety of reasons – but what I can do (besides online research and picking the brains of friends who have been to the location) is make my character a first-time visitor to the place in question. The mistakes I might make are ones she would make as a tourist. It’s not something I would necessarily recommend – and not a piece of advice you’d see in normal writing books – but it does give me the opportunity to try to put together a story for an anthology I wouldn’t have otherwise thought of.

Yes, it’s okay to write beyond what you know (after all where does most of science fiction and fantasy come from but the imagination) even if it’s based in “reality” (or something close to reality). It’s a great way to learn new things and stretch your skills. This is good thing – a difficult thing, since those who do know your location/time frame/etc. will call you out on your mistakes. Don’t let that deter you, though. Do your research. Fact check if you can. Run your story by someone who knows – or at least knows better than you – to keep from making the big, glaring mistakes. But foremost – be ready to take a chance. It’s more fun that way.

I need to get back to the story. I’m going to be a bit distracted for the next few days (maybe a week or so) which is why I’m happy to have the deadline. I start the new job tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the new challenges. I do have a couple more short stories to look into as well. And the holidays are rapidly approaching… yay, let’s be busy!

Tags: risk taking, Short stories, writer post, Writing, writing what you know