Hot take: I thought 'write what you know' was terrible advice for fantasy writers

For years I argued you should just make stuff up, until a workshop leader in Austin pointed out my dragon's behavior was flat. She said, 'Base its territorial instincts on your old cat.' Using that one real detail made everything else feel legit. Anyone have a writing rule they flipped on after a specific example?

2 comments

2 Comments

scott.mia10d ago

Wasn't "show don't tell" the absolute worst? I used to hate that rule, thought it was just confusing. Then I read a scene where a character just said "I'm angry" and it felt so cheap. The next book described how their hands were shaking while they tried to pour a drink, and it hit so much harder. Totally changed my mind on the spot.

jordan65310d ago

That "hands were shaking" example is perfect. I used to skip describing rooms entirely. Then I read a story where a messy desk told you everything about the character's stress without a single line of dialogue. Now I see setting as silent character work.