“Write what you know” is pretty standard writing advice.
Still, most people have trouble creating any kind of worthwhile content. That goes double if they know that people are actually going to read it.
The secret to “write what you know” is in the process. You know what you want to say. You just have to match how you say it and where you’re putting it.
Here’s my best advice for writing on a subject you know a lot about…
1. Research. No, don’t research the subject. You already know that. Research the format. If you’re writing a blog post, go to copyblogger or men with pens and check out what they have to say. Visit alltop and search for something you’re interested in. Get your google on. Look at the form, and try to think about how you’ll interpret it for your writing.
2. Outline. Your eighth grade English teacher wasn’t wrong about everything. All an outline is is a little plan. Don’t worry about the form, if you’re intimidated by it. You can just write notes, like “This goes first, then I’ll write this…” and on and on. Just make sure each note is on a different line, to give you an idea of the flow. An outline is the most important step that people miss out on, except…
3. Make A Draft. Here’s what a draft means: don’t edit. It’s hard, I know. If you have to go back and use that delete key, give yourself some boundaries, like only correcting misspelled words. Let it flow. The quickest way to get stuck while writing is to edit as you go. Drafting and editing should be like oil and water when it comes to getting it all out.
4. Cut. this part can be tricky for someone that’s writing what they know. Because you’re an expert on your subject, you’ve obviously got a lot to say. When you finish your draft, and begin to edit, start the process with the word “cut” in your mind. Think about your specific theme, the one you’re covering in this piece. Anything that strays from that gets cut. Anything that distracts your audience gets cut. Long sentences get cut into shorter ones. Fancy words get cut into simple ones. Go all the way through your draft, and cut. Then do it again.
5. Read It Out Loud. Please, please, take the time to read your piece with your actual voice in actual words that make actual sounds. It’s different than the way it worked in your head, I promise. Plus, reading aloud is a good way to find mistakes. You don’t have to read to anyone else, necessarily. But do yourself a favor and hear how the whole thing sounds before you put it out there.
Well, did I miss something? Anyone out there, expert or otherwise, with a good “write what you know” tip, chime in…
