Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books (mostly)

  • Home
  • About
    • My CV
    • Books
    • Series
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising
  • Tools
You are here: Home / Potpourri / Writers Should Read But…

Writers Should Read But…

Writers Should Read But…

[This is part of the series: 20 Writing Tips From John Erickson]

So, writers should read but…

Reading is not the best place to find all of your writing material.

See, there are very few people who have lived your story.

In fact, nobody has lived your exact story.

And that’s the stuff we need you to write about!

If you have worked in crop insurance or medicine or Hollywood for the last 20 years, that story has still not been told from your perspective.

I mean, hundreds of other people could write about growing up in Saudi Arabia, but none would have the exact same perspective, timing, and memories as I do.

You could do enough research and write a great book (fiction or non-fiction) on World War I.

But is that book going to have the same texture, tone, and insight as someone who lived it?

Would the comic strip Dilbert be as funny if Scott Adams had not spent 20 years in corporate America?

Does that make sense?

13. Good writers read but don’t neglect experience.

-John Erickson, Story Craft (Amazon)

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: PotpourriTagged With: #Reading, #Writing

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Notifications of all new posts by email.

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Top Posts

  • The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
    The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
  • 31 Persuasion Tips That I Learned From Scott Adams
    31 Persuasion Tips That I Learned From Scott Adams
  • Where I Sit 24
    Where I Sit 24
  • Where I Sit 25
    Where I Sit 25
  • Economics 101: Rosy Scenario Policy
    Economics 101: Rosy Scenario Policy
  • Instabooks 345
    Instabooks 345
  • The Tragedy Of Gina "Bronco" Bouza (1932-1957)
    The Tragedy Of Gina "Bronco" Bouza (1932-1957)
  • Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
    Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
  • The Massive Power Of Visual Persuasion
    The Massive Power Of Visual Persuasion
  • My Notes On, Kitchen Confidential, By: Anthony Bourdain
    My Notes On, Kitchen Confidential, By: Anthony Bourdain

Supporting = Loving

Buy Me a Coffee

Recent Posts

  • Where I Sit 25
  • Where Did I Set My iPhone
  • Where I Sit 24
  • Cold And Limp And All Of The
  • Random Thoughts – 375
  • King Of Love, By: I Am They
  • The Point Of Learning
  • Instabooks 371
  • A Dopamine Hit Just One
  • Random Thoughts – 374
  • A Leaders Necessary Exposure To Risk
  • The Compulsion To Read
  • Instabooks 370
  • With Tea Looking Out Of That
  • Random Thoughts – 373
  • Stayed Up All Night
  • Missed Internet Mania
  • Tenderloin, San Francisco
  • And That All This Is A Pause
  • Random Thoughts – 372
  • 100 Things That Made My Year – 2022
  • On Selling Popcorn
  • Instabooks 369
  • Solemn Week With My Parents
  • Random Thoughts – 371

Copyright © 2023 · Generate Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in