What "Write what you know" is and isn't.

One primary golden rule to creative writing is write what you know.

Its natural to assume that if someone has a PhD in organic chemistry or some other subject, they want everyone to know all that they've learned. Not the case. 

They know that not everyone desires to know how proteins can act as enzymes.

Sharing every minute and niche detail of a subject is not write what you know. 

Write what you know is taking a subject virtually everyone knows --or can at least relate to --and shedding a new and different light on it.

No one understands this more than stand-up comedians. It's their bread and butter.

Let's take a look at this clip from Roy Wood Jr. Its about relationships.

Thermostat Relationships

(I chose Roy because he's a former co-worker. His career was launched at SummitMedia Birmingham's WBHJ, first as a morning show feature, then morning show host. Now he's a regular feature on Comedy Central and HBO )

Roy took something we can all relate to. Relationships. He then took a fresh approach by showing how they can be influenced by a mechanical device --climate control.

That, my friends is write what you know.

This is an approach that your in-house creatives try to apply daily. It's the hook in the opening of our commercials. It invites the listener in. Then we apply our fresh --and sometimes off the wall --angle to our client's brand. This better helps recall when action is required. 

For more tips and observations on this subject and many others that apply to our craft, please feel free to browse this blogs archives.

Thank you for allowing me some of your precious time. I know it's in great demand.

Sincerely,

Mike --The Reel Architect.