One Way to Get Started - Write What You Know
One Way to Get Started - Write What You Know
Many writers get started in freelancing by writing about what they already know, reducing the amount of research needed. As a beginner, if you already know about the subject you are writing about, you will feel more confident writing that piece. You can write an article, essay, etc. There are many different types of articles you can write, including how-to, informational, web content, among others. You could also write an essay about something interesting that has happened to you, something you feel strongly about, etc.
Being confident about what you are writing is important, because it will come through in the piece that you are a knowledgeable writer. This is why many writers who have been successful sometimes suggest that you should start with what you know. It will also put editors at ease if you query (pitch) them with an article idea if you have experience with that particular topic, especially if you have not had anything published. If you decide to write some essays for submission to different publications, you won’t have to pitch the idea. Editors will usually want to see the essay in its entirety.
Writing what you know will not only help you overcome your initial fears of writing for publications, it will also get you started with your writing muscles. It will help you to start to think like a writer, seeing ideas for stories everywhere, and get those creative juices flowing all the time.
You can also write about what you want to know. That’s one of the great things about being a professional writer: you get to learn about new things all of the time and get paid for it. For example, if you are interested in scrap booking and want to know more about how to start one, start researching about your topic. While you write your article or query, you will be learning about something new. If your topic gets assigned by an editor interested in publishing it, you will get paid to write about what you want to know! So, as you see, you don’t have to restrain yourself to simply writing what you know, you can write about what you don’t know, too! If you are interested in becoming a writer, you most likely enjoy learning new things, and there’s nothing better than getting paid for writing about something you wanted to learn about.
So What Do You Know?
Think about past jobs, volunteer work, military experience, hobbies, etc. Brainstorm some ideas about what you could write using the knowledge you already have.
What Do You Want to Know?
Have you always had an interest in animals, children, or women’s issues? Do you want to learn more while writing an excellent article about your topic.
Get started! Grab a notebook and pen and brainstorm all of the ideas you would like to write about, whether it be something you already know about, or something you want to know about!
Resources:
http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/know.shtml
http://seanachi.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/write-where-you-know/
http://www.writersservices.com/res/ml/r_factsheet_2.htm
