Hi SEers! Denise here to talk about writing what you know.

This may be advice you’ve received as a writer. I know I heard it in writing classes and applied that idea to my settings. I live in a forest and have spent a lot of time at the ocean, so I am familiar with this.

Then there are stories set in places I’ve never visited that require research. Does that qualify me to know a city or town from research? If I dig deep, I think it does.

But what about when writing about serial killers, adventure, mystery, science fiction, or fantasy?

I’m pretty sure I haven’t met a serial killer, or a fictional parasite-type creature, the evildwel. Yet, I write about them. I can’t prove if I’ve seen or spoken to a fairy or angel, so I’m no expert on them, but they show up in my work…