"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

IWSG: Break the Writing Rule

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.


JANUARY QUESTION: What writing rule do you wish you’d never heard?

MY ANSWER: I hate when people say "write what you know". Some of the most interesting articles I've written have been about subjects I knew nothing about before my assignment. I enjoyed researching those topics and meeting those people. I learned a lot, and probably enjoyed writing the articles more because of it!


Also, I had never written science fiction before last year, but I ended up winning the IWSG contest and being published with nine other amazing authors! Instead of "write what you know," I say "Write what interests you."

Congratulations to this years IWSG contest winners. I didn't enter this time, but I look forward to reading your stories!

6 comments:

Bob/Sally said...

I went with "write what you know" as well. I guess great writers thing like. :)

the way I look at it, there's a huge difference between following the letter of the law and the intent, and intent is all that matters for me.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's a popular answer today. Write what interests you. I like that better.

Chrys Fey said...

This one has popped up a lot lately. I used to believe it but not anymore. If I only wrote what I knew, I wouldn't have written the works I have out now.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

I agree 100% to write what interest you. Happy New Year Sylvia!

QueendSheena
2017 IWSG January Co-Host

Cynthia said...

I agree that writing about what interests you is a good place to start.
Besides, we can always explore and research a subject we might be unfamiliar with and turn what we don't know into something we do know.

Happy New Year!

Crystal Collier said...

Yeah, that's totally a guideline. It's supposed to say, "Write what you're willing to know." If you have the motivation to learn it, you should write it. Period. =)