Should You Stick to What You Know?: From Our Readers (Comment for a Chance at Publication)
This post announces our latest From Our Readers question: Should You Stick to What You Know? Comment for a chance at publication in a future issue of Writer’s Digest.
Our upcoming March/April issue is focused on the personal. So, we would love to know what you think about the age-old adage that writers should only write what they know.
Our formal question: Should writers only stick to writing what they know?
There's been a back-and-forth among writers for years surrounding the idea that people should stick to writing what they know. Some believe that rule is too constricting for a writer's imagination; some believe that it allows topic experts to shine. What are your thoughts? There are no right or wrong answers because this is a personal question!
Share your answers with us in the comments below for a chance to be published in the March/April issue of Writer's Digest.
Here are the guidelines:
- Provide an answer to the question "What writing advice made you see your work in a new way?” in the comments below.
- Answers can be funny, weird, poignant, thought-provoking, entertaining, etc.
- Remember to include your name as you would like it to appear in print.
- Deadline for commenting this time around is January 1, 2021.
- Only comments shared below will be considered for publication, though feel free to share your answers on social media with the following hashtags: #WDReaders and #WritingAchievement.
Note on commenting: If you wish to comment on the site, go to Disqus to create a free new account, verify your account on this site below (one-time thing), and then comment away.
Since obtaining her MFA in fiction, Moriah Richard has worked with over 100 authors to help them achieve their publication dreams. As the managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, she spearheads the world-building column Building Better Worlds, a 2023 Eddie & Ozzie Award winner. She also runs the Flash Fiction February Challenge on the WD blog, encouraging writers to pen one microstory a day over the course of the month and share their work with other participants. As a reader, Moriah is most interested in horror, fantasy, and romance, although she will read just about anything with a great hook.
Learn more about Moriah on her personal website.