Write What You Can Dream, Not Just What You Know

I’m here today to put a stake in the heart of that old axiom, “Write what you know.” I find the idea absurd that we’re teaching our future writers of FICTION to confine themselves to their own life experiences. That’s bogus.

Elif Shafek agrees with me. In her TED talk on the dangers of identity politics, she argues against allowing ourselves to be defined by our backgrounds and to instead use storywriting to transcend culture and gender.

It was several years ago that I noticed a trend in literary fiction. There was a sudden premium on stories that represented cultures and perspectives that were traditionally underrepresented in Western society. Books such as The Kite Runner and Middlesex, which use unique family histories to frame their coming of age stories, were dominating the bookshelves. Many times, I found these novels, while interesting, succeeded more because of the setting than the narrative.

That isn’t to say that just because a story might be considered ‘ethnic’ it’s not worthwhile. I love authors such as Salman Rushdie, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Isabel Allende. But Allende shouldn’t be restricted from writing a story about space robots set in 24th century Japan just because she’s Chilean. Nor should a novel be hailed as a masterpiece simply because its author is from a marginalized corner of society. As Shafek points out, storytelling should transcend culture.

I think you’ll find Shafek’s talk inspirational. She is saying to find your stories inside yourself, not in the world around you. Don’t restrict your imagination or put a fence around your creativity. If you can dream it, and it resonates with you, dare to write it.

Check out Decater's new novel, available now at Amazon. Plus, don't forget his earlier books: Ahab's Adventures in Wonderland and Picasso Painted Dinosaurs.