Write What You Know?

I’ve never liked that advice. Write what you know. It scared me. Because how was I supposed to write what I know when I know so little. I’m not an expert in any field. I did just fine in school, never getting the top grades, but not getting bad grades either. I was uncomfortable with the idea of not knowing enough. Then, I found a quote that changed how I took that advice.

All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.                  --Ernest Hemingway

What I know is my truth. I can write my truth. And while it’s a difficult thing, baring your soul to the masses by laying your truth for them to see, it’s the only way to truly write what you know. Every sentence I write is true to my characters and true to my story. It’s true to me as the vessel through which the stories are being told.

Do you write what you know? Do you write your truth?

Kathleen is a writer of YA Paranormal Romance and Fantasy. She lives with her husband, two kids, and a cat in Southern Indiana where she spends her days watching bad sci-fi movies and reading all the books. Her writing began with poetry when she was 12 years old. As she got older, she became interested in writing stories and books. She majored in Theatre in college and loves delving into the psyche of of others, figuring out what makes people tick. When she’s not reading a book, playing with her kids, or pulling her cat out of a tree you can find her on Twitter, Facebook, or her blog.