The Intertwined Nature of Experience and Writing

The title implies it, but here it is more succinctly: what an author experiences affects their writing. I don't think that's a very controversial statement, but I want to explore and flesh out some more of its implications. Essentially, I want to answer two questions on this topic. First, can an author write about something they have not experienced? Second, how much does an author's day-to-day experiences affect their writing?

The answer to the first question is, in my opinion, "Of course!" Fantasy, or even fiction, wouldn't be possible if it was necessary to experience it to write about it. But the question is deeper than that. Imagination is enough to create complicated worlds and characters, but what about emotions? What about trauma or pain or grief? What about caring for a loved one? What about chronic illness or mental struggles? Can an author really describe these deep emotional things without experiencing them? I believe my answer stays the same, "yes," but it takes more work.

If an author has experienced traumatic situations, for example, then they will be more likely to accurately portray similar things in their writing. Their experience provides ample examples of inner monologues, challenges to daily life, and the emotional states that need to be portrayed to the reader. Many times, the authors can use modified quotes from their own life to strengthen those descriptions.

An author who has been lucky enough to avoid similar situations can still write about them, they just need to do research. I don't mean academic research, though that can be a starting point. I mean conversations with people in their lives who have experienced them. Asking questions and listening is the best way to learn about unfamiliar experiences. I think these conversations are best had with people who have a close connection to the author, but engaging with other writers' descriptions can also be a helpful piece if no one around the author has experienced it. The challenge in reading about it is that clarifying questions are left unanswered and the author has to fill in those blanks themselves.

Essentially, I believe an author can write about unfamiliar experiences. It's hard, especially the research, but it's worth it to get it right. Even in fiction or fantasy, authors write about real experiences couched in an unfamiliar environment. Readers who have experienced deep struggles or joys will want them described accurately in the author's words. If done well, the readers will be pulled further into the story. If done poorly, it's likely they'll put down the book.

The second question is a little less heavy. Does an author's day-to-day experience affect writing? Again, I believe the answer is a resounding, "Of course!" In my own experience as a parent of little ones, I find myself drawing inspiration from some of their random phrases or exclamations. Beyond that, story ideas come to me as I walk through the grocery store, or when I see wildlife as I walk my dog. To go even further, it even affects the language I use in my writing. When I am steeped in reading children's books to my kids, I find similar vocabulary making its way into my prose. Sometimes that's a problem as that vocabulary is not right for the tone or character, but other times it fits perfectly.

I don't believe that any author would claim that their experience is inconsequential to their writing. Whether it's religion, trauma, or a season of peace in life, experiences will become part of writing. The challenge with it is how much do we let it fill the page? That depends on the story. If the experience doesn't fit with the current project, save it. It can be used in a future one. I don't think it's a good thing to try to avoid writing from experience. That's where an author really catches a reader. It's where the impact of writing occurs. Let it happen.