tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post6432647623096431663..comments2024-03-28T16:52:31.923-04:00Comments on The Write Conversation: Is 'Write What You Know' Really Good Advice?Edie Melsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03902312441667526147noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-48227393248835581722018-05-25T12:26:25.451-04:002018-05-25T12:26:25.451-04:00Henry, I'm late to the party I guess, but I ab...Henry, I'm late to the party I guess, but I absolutely love this post. I have been fascinated by the Depression era, WWII, and historical settings. What you are saying is so true about being passionate and writing about it. I will never learn to fly. I have done so much research into flight, airplanes, and how the early ones were made, etc. Trains are another fascination for me, and the early railroads...all has been exciting. Fuel for one of my other interests--research. I can chase rabbits with the best of them...great post. Donevydeborawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379928023984310298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-81625824719027291452018-05-24T18:24:24.187-04:002018-05-24T18:24:24.187-04:00Thank you, MaryAnn. One of my favorite authors is ...Thank you, MaryAnn. One of my favorite authors is mystery writer Elizabeth George. Write Away is her book on the craft. In it, she describes her trips to England where her novels are set and how she explores the land, taking pictures of places she will fictionally incorporate into he stories. This reality anchored in fiction makes her mysteries very real and very enjoyable.Henry McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02636211246051854954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-66454583219517644492018-05-24T18:20:15.010-04:002018-05-24T18:20:15.010-04:00Thanks, Jay. I really appreciate your comments. In...Thanks, Jay. I really appreciate your comments. In one of my contemporary stories I interviewed officers in several jurisdictions. Made a field trip to Abilene, KS for one of my Westerns. And I had a blast researching sword-fighting, horses, and castles for my fantasy series. Henry McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02636211246051854954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-45630357982477898902018-05-24T18:17:40.074-04:002018-05-24T18:17:40.074-04:00How about a tennis match on the moon? Venus Willia...How about a tennis match on the moon? Venus Williams vs John McEnroe? Imagine the dimensions of the court.Henry McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02636211246051854954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-37142951013905843532018-05-24T10:15:37.134-04:002018-05-24T10:15:37.134-04:00This is an excellent post that offers an essential...This is an excellent post that offers an essential paradigm shift if we are to write fiction. I've never subscribed to the dictum to write what I know--or, I should say, to write ONLY what I know. As you wisely said, Mr. McLaughlin, "We don't know very much." :) For me, part of the excitement of writing fiction is to learn what I need to know to create the best story I can create. One of my favorite things to do is to travel to the setting of my story. I call it "real-life immersion for the sake of fiction." Thank you so much for your very insightful post! MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08728569035482554211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-51120530646493481152018-05-24T08:37:05.483-04:002018-05-24T08:37:05.483-04:00I love the wisdom of your post, Henry.
Write what ...I love the wisdom of your post, Henry.<br />Write what I am curious about is my purpose. It also makes the writing feel authentic. <br />I am passionate about tennis and space exploration. I guess there is a story somewhere there.<br />Ingmar Albizuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01329625581962664673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-43511917579217756082018-05-24T08:28:16.971-04:002018-05-24T08:28:16.971-04:00Henry - I always enjoy reading your posts, and esp...Henry - I always enjoy reading your posts, and especially enjoyed this one. You do in your posts what I believe a good book does: makes the reader think. I've always wanted to live in the mountains; but, alas, it looks like I never will. But I now use mountains, mountain culture, and mountain relationships to learn from, research, visit, etc. I've even called sheriffs of 2 counties and interviewed firemen in the very setting of the fictitious setting in my book. So, I echo what you've said here. My protagonist is going to be able to live and work where I can't and it is a true joy to get slices of my passion in this form as I can. And guess where we take vacations now? The linking of a goal and a passion give me SO much more to write about. And, to your point, it certainly isn't because of what I KNEW before.<br />Jay Wright<br />Anderson, SCAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10379140810362137777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2907737240492304428.post-90386982550052428132018-05-24T08:24:35.965-04:002018-05-24T08:24:35.965-04:00Great advice Mr. Henry. We're never wrong when...Great advice Mr. Henry. We're never wrong when we follow our passions. Assuming of course, our passions are led by the right source. Have a good 'un sir.Jimhttp://www.winningthroughwords.comnoreply@blogger.com