Write what you know

[Mouse]

Yeah it makes me feel better about making places up now. Or basing them off real places.

edit: just seen Ripley's post too. Didn't double post after all, see! Gonna read that article, ta.

[I, Brian]

I've really enjoyed researching mediaeval fantasy - going out to mediaeval tournament days and talking to the actors to learn from them basics of everyday life and crafting. Very interesting, and parts no doubt will use. Also, reading books about daily mediaeval/Roman/Byzantine life - there are details in those that are stranger than fiction, so will mine them.

There are some stories I would really like to write, but I feel I can't unless I've been there. For example, there is an urban fantasy idea simmering, but I already know it involves scenes in LA, Himalayas, Japan, and a couple of other exotic locations. Will only be able to write it when I've been to those places, but have plenty of other writing to do before then.

[AMB]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

I've really enjoyed researching mediaeval fantasy - going out to mediaeval tournament days and talking to the actors to learn from them basics of everyday life and crafting.

I take it they were the stitch-counting sort?

[springs]

Originally Posted by AMB

I take it they were the stitch-counting sort?

I smiled at this. My knowledge of the medieval is pretty good, lots of time as a tour guide in a very fine medieval castle and meeting and listening avidly to many, many stitch counters. My knowledge of star drives/ how to live on planets; woeful.

What do I write? Sci fi. And not good sci fi if you consider real science; although improving now I'm here.

So, maybe I'm writing what I'm passionate about, and trying to marry the two as best I can.

[Ursa major]

What you need, Springs, is the "Stitch-in-Time" FTL drive.




(So when people ask you how it works, you can tell them to get knotted. )

[springs]

Perfect, Ursa. For my first press conference as a writer; "Don't you think they couldn't have moved bases so easily, given the need for a sustainable eco system?"

"Get knotted. Next!"

I love it; it has removed all sorts of worries for me.

Plus i read things all the time and say that's not right, it's made up and then say it's a story, it's about suspending disbelief and enjoying it. Hopefully I'll have the same attitude back; which isn't to say i should be lazy/ not try to get it as good as I can.

[Rosemary Fryth]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

I've really enjoyed researching mediaeval fantasy - going out to mediaeval tournament days and talking to the actors to learn from them basics of everyday life and crafting. Very interesting, and parts no doubt will use. Also, reading books about daily mediaeval/Roman/Byzantine life - there are details in those that are stranger than fiction, so will mine them.

There are some stories I would really like to write, but I feel I can't unless I've been there. For example, there is an urban fantasy idea simmering, but I already know it involves scenes in LA, Himalayas, Japan, and a couple of other exotic locations. Will only be able to write it when I've been to those places, but have plenty of other writing to do before then.

I was for many years involved in medieval reenactment here in Oz and I'd have to say it was the perfect grounding for writing a heroic epic fantasy novel.

My latest novel (chapter one is already under my belt and into three pages of chapter two) is one set here in SE Queensland in an area I know reasonably well (although the town I've set it in is imaginary). I've read quite a bit of fantasy about ancient legends and myths interacting with our mundane ordinary world and I always felt inclined to add my own interpretation of it. So this new novel is it. Still have to come up with a title, I guess in time it will be revealed to me.

[chrispenycate]

Originally Posted by springs1971

I smiled at this. My knowledge of the medieval is pretty good, lots of time as a tour guide in a very fine medieval castle and meeting and listening avidly to many, many stitch counters. My knowledge of star drives/ how to live on planets; woeful.

What do I write? Sci fi. And not good sci fi if you consider real science; although improving now I'm here.

So, maybe I'm writing what I'm passionate about, and trying to marry the two as best I can.

While I can handle space drives and Newtonian mechanics in my sleep, so write about – dragons. Actually, I do write about SF subjects, too, but I tried some here, and got far better responses from my dragon stuff (I didn't write before joining this site, and really only started here to give those I had critiqued something to hit back at, so I need considerable help, which means getting the maximum response to each posted piece for critique).

But I do know considerable amounts about mediaeval châteaux (very difficult to get dragons into), blacksmithing (which I'm trying to include in my present WiP), medical entomology, audio technology both recent and historical…

So I have to try and avoid all those as one law that you would have to have a very good reason indeed to break is:-
Never bore your readers.

You can confuse them, disgust them, shock, scorn or insult them, and they'll come back (or at least some of them will), but bore them, you've lost them.