My counter-argument to “Write what you know” has always been “Get to know what you want to write about.” The inspiration for my fiction often comes from something I learn by chance. Then I research the topic with intention and shape what I’ve learned into a work of fiction, prioritizing the story over the facts. In an e-doc compilation of author’s views on the role of research in writing (Glimmer Train, Close-Up: Research, 2nd edition), I came across the following: “Some people say that you should write what you know, but I am driven to write what I learn” (Abbi Geni, p. 7). Read more comments on this topic by Colum McCann, Duri Justvedt, and Ha Jin in REFLECTIONS.
