Should You Write What You Don’t Know?
April 10, 2008 by Deb Ng
Filed under Freelance Writing
A couple of weeks ago I read a post at Freelance Folder entitled A Step by Step Guide to Writing About Stuff You Know Little About. Once again I find myself disagreeing with the majority of commentators and probably people who are reading this blog too. Though I commented at the blog, the post and this topic keeps coming back to me. Should you write about something you know little about?
General Information
I suppose if you’re offering general information, it doesn’t hurt to touch on topics in which you’re not very well versed. I did that during my very early web content writing days, and though I’ll never do it again, I do agree there are times when one can write about what one doesn’t know. I can tell you how chicken soup and bed rest can help one recover from a cold, but I’m not qualified to dispense medical advice regarding a cold or any other ailment. Which brings me to my gripe.
Warning: I’m about to harp on about poorly researched web content again.
The problem with suggesting writers go ahead and write about what they don’t know doesn’t sit well with me because most content writers just Google a topic and rewrite the information they find. You may not do it yourself, but you know it’s true. Search any popular topic and you’ll find rehashed and regurgitated, often inaccurate web content. I understand part of being a good writer is to research topics we know nothing about, but I’d like to add the words "within reason." I don’t care how advance your journalism degree is, if you didn’t attend twelve years of med school, you have no business offering surgical advice. If you’re didn’t attend pharmacy school, don’t tell me what drugs to take and if you’re not a parent, don’t tell me I’m a bad mom because I let my child have candy once in a while.
In other words you can write about a topic you know nothing about within reason. Now, the author of the above referenced article suggested writers visit free article content sites and download free e-books in order to learn more about certain topics. No. No and again No. The Internet, while still a useful tool, is one of the last places you should go for in depth research. Instead try:
- The library
- Newspapers and magazines
- Interviewing expert sources
Now I’m not saying there aren’t useful websites on the web. Before you borrow information from any website, make sure it’s reputable. Research the site and the author’s background. There are some great tools on the web, unfortunately they’re not as easy to find as articles written for E-Zine Articles or Associated Content.
There’s a reason teachers don’t allow websites such as Wikipedia, Associated Content and E-Zine articles to be used as sources for term papers. If a website will allow anyone to submit written material, there’s a good chance at least 50% of the articles are grammatically or factually incorrect. You and I as writers, we know what a bad piece of writing looks like. Would your child? Would the 8th grader who is researching for a school project know the difference between something written by someone with a degree or someone who just took bits and pieces of random articles from around the web and slapped them together?
No, I don’t believe writers should necessarily write what they don’t know. If they do, they have a responsibility to ensure factually correct content.
It seems as though you were expecting to set the comments section on fire, but I’ll be the first to completely agree with you. The way I see it, if your professors wouldn’t let you do it, it’s not valid anywhere else. Wikipedia is NEVER a legitimate resource!
I would also like to add that it’s less profitable to do the needed amount of research, than it is to just write on what you know. I know that it seems attractive to research and write articles, but with a little creativity, all of us can delve into our internal wealth of knowledge. People may be surprised as to just how much they know.
@RLD – I don’t know that I expected blazing comments ( I leave it to James to set my comments on fire) but I do feel a lot of people disagree with me. Many web writers feel you can find whatever you need on the web – but that doesn’t make it accurate.
I agree with RLD — what people don’t understand is, if you stick with what you know, what your passion is, not only will your writing be better, but you’ll be a ton more productive!
Thanks for the great post!
Maria Reyes-McDavis
Deb
Gotta disagree with you on this one.
I’ve pretty much made my living being able to write about anything and being a jack of all trades.
Last year, I wrote a book on genetic engineering. You can check it out here:
http://www.amazon.com/Genetic-Engineering-Essential-Viewpoints-Parmalee/dp/160453057X
For the same company, I also helped clean up a book on global warming. By the way, I came across that gig and several others here.
My point? Well, I’d be several thousand dollars in the hole if I were not willing to learn a bit and write about things I do not particularly have an expertise in.
If you are a good writer, you should be able to write about many, many things.
Now, with that said, there are some jobs – such as legal writing, etc. – that I just will not try to write about because I do not want to get anyone into trouble, you know? But if I think I can get a handle on a subject – even a complicated one – I’ll take the job because I know I can write with the best of em.
I agree to a point. BUT I believe 100% that as long as you research properly (using reputable sources) you can write most things.
One thing I’ve found that IS useful is to use a Wikipedia page as a jump-off point and to then check out that page’s list of sources for research ideas.
Write to Done had a fantastic post a couple of weeks ago about online research sources. Would recommend it for anyone who’s having problems on that score.
While I do generally agree with you, one of the things I love about freelance writing is the opportunity to learn new things. I’m not saying that writers should take on subjects dishing out advice on medicine, finance, etc., but at the same time, if you’re willing to do the research, taking on a job where you aren’t an expert can be an amazing oppertunity to branch out as a writer and as a person.
And I’d like to mention that I do use Wikipedia regularly – though not for research. Writers, don’t shun this site completely! When you’re interested in learning more about a topic the “external resources” part of the site can point you to organizations packed with articles you can trust (think the national organizations, not blogs and hobby sites), as well as contact information for people who are experts.
I’m sure most of you already realize this, but I talked to a writer recently who had no idea there was external links listed on Wikipedia – and she was pleasantly surprised to check out this research tool on a site she had completely ignored in the past.
@Emma – haha, great minds thing alike! (and faster fingers post a second before me)
I think it depends on what kind of assignment you’re talking about. Like Thomas, I’m often hired to write about subjects I don’t know much about (and those are my favorite assignments, because then I get to learn something new). But those types of projects have editors who look at my work, and I have to hand in references and I’m required to footnote facts and quotes and send hard copies of all reference materials.
However, I wouldn’t take a job blogging about something I’m not personally familiar with. If I see a job for a Chicago real estate blogger, well, I suppose I could read industry newsletters and the local classifieds, look at maps and maybe even find some local realtors to be contacts. But I don’t live in Chicago, and my work, while it may be factually correct, wouldn’t even be close to what a person who lives there and has a personal feel for different streets and neighborhoods would be able to produce. See what I mean? Different forms call for different levels of engagement. I could write a book about something that I wouldn’t feel comfortable blogging about, if that makes sense.
Emma, I also agree that Wikipedia is often a great starting point. I wouldn’t use the content of an article, but I will go to it and look at the list of sources. It’s always easy to trash Wikipedia but it has one thing that a lot of online encyclopedias don’t have, and that’s a great search engine. It’s always easy to find what you want in Wikipedia, but I cancelled my subscription to an online version of a well-regarded print encyclopedia when my efforts to look up informaton about the state of Virginia produced a series of results that included things like Virginia Woolf, Virginia Commonwealth University, Thomas Jefferson, etc. I didn’t realize that I was supposed to look up “United States – States – Virginia.” Yikes.
I agree with Emma and Allison. I love how much I learn with this job. You can often find me spouting out random facts in conversations, all of which I learned in my writing career. I won’t write an article giving information that I made up. I research so that what I say is real and factual. Heavy research can let you write about anything.
Because, honestly, if I were only able to write about what I truly already know, you’d only see articles about writing and video games coming out of me.
Also, Skippy brings a good point. If a job listing wants you to have specific knowledge, like to be an expert at tea, for example, I wouldn’t apply. I know nothing about tea other than it can taste good hot with a lot of honey.
I’ve written sports or all sorts, education, business, technology, landscaping, financial services, and a lot of items I don’t even remember in a 35-year career. Do you have to “know” something? No. Do you need to spend enough time with the experts to write about subjects intelligently? Yes.
Now I would say I could write off the cuff about a few things like running a business, some sports (I coached, too) and maybe a few other things, but I go to the experts for almost all of my writing.
I think some have misunderstood my point – if you are going to write on a topic you know little about, make sure you do your resource and gain your knowledge from reputable sources.
I’ll disagree that the Internet is the last resource to use. Why? Because my town has a French library. A very small one. And French newspapers. And I live in a French province. The closest bookstore with English books is an hour away.
Also, magazine writers are also no better than web content writers; to say they are only steps into widening the Great Divide. It pushes forth the idea that magazine writers research more accurately than web content writers, and I’m not even going there.
Interviewing is a good idea.
However, I’ll agree with you that there is a WHACK OF CRAP out there and you’d better be damned sure that if you research something, it’s from a site known for the best, most accurate information going.
That said, I don’t need to surf a government site to learn how to juggle – all things in perspective, hm?
@James – I can understand how the library in your neck of the woods might not be the best place for research – though the French people probably disagree.
I’m not trying to cause a great divide however, I do know most reputable magazines employ editorial staff and fact checkers. Many web content sites don’t. That’s not to say the author is talking out of his butt, just that with magazines and newspapers at least I know the sources have been verified.
My point is to not use places like Joe’s Free EZ Content Website for your sources. Make sure your information is from a reputable source.
Depending on the topic and a person’s educational background, an intelligent person can research the subject matter and write about it.
For instance, I write about IT, but I only completed an intro computing course in university.
I have to disagree. If writers only focus on topics they know well, they’d never work. That’s the beauty of being a freelance writer. We’re able to learn about a range of subjects; and might even become an expert on these subjects. I’ve written accurately researched content for medical websites, mortgage/loan sites, and tax information sites. I didn’t study these topics. However, I did study Journalism, and fact checking was one of the first lessons taught. With this said, I feel a good writer can write on any subject as long as they use reliable sources.
I think again people are missing my point. Yes, you can write what you don’t know – within reason. For instance, you couldn’t write a manual on how employees of a nuclear power plant should react after a meltdown, correct? You couldn’t offer a piece to a medical journal regarding a new heart surgery procedure. However, if you know nothing about baseball you could write spring training highlights.
My point is the web has too many places in which to find bad information. Don’t rely on it completely for your research.
Deb, Thanks for bringing up my post that I wrote for Freelance folder.
Firstly, I have mentioned in the post headline that you need know at least a little about the subject.
Secondly, I’m not telling anyone to write without researching and that you will have to do enough research.
Thirdly, the resources I mentioned have everything you need to learn about a subject. Only thing is that it has equal percentage of crap. But it is the duty and also the skill of a freelance writer to find which one is right and learn about that.
Fourthly, you are not going to rewrite anything you read it online and you are just going to use it as a learning platform. Just learn from the resources and write articles from what you have understood.
I would also like to tell this:
This conversation will have different views.
There are many ways to earn money online, but you have to choose the one that best suits you. Likewise, there are many resources from which you can learn about a subject. It is the duty of the freelance writer to choose the one that suits him/her best and learn the subject.
After all every writer has his/her own style.
I don’t think you are saying writers shouldn’t write about what they don’t know. Instead you seem to be against articles fueled by poor or sloppy research. This is a problem that has been going on for a long time, but has spread like wildfire with the popularity of the Internet.
I think the easiest way to write about something unfamiliar is to do the research and then interview the experts. Allow their opinions and knowledge to add the “meat” (or soy substitute if you prefer) to your article sandwich. I agree with your ideas, but think the post title doesn’t reflect the content presented…
…of course I could be wrong.
@Ramkarthik – Hi and welcome. Thank you so much for stopping by and offering your perspective. I understand you’re not encouraging sloppy research and writing, but I do disagree with your information sources. I don’t agree that free ebooks or free article websites should be used in research – but if you look above at the comments, there are plenty of people who disagree. And you’re also right about writers having their own style and their own research methods.
@Andrew Langerman – Hi and welcome. I do tend to go off on tangents so I apologize if my post is confusing. My point is that you can write what you don’t know within reason. I wouldn’t want to read an automotive manual written by someone who has never driven a car or looked under the hood, would you? I do agree there are general topics people can write about but when doing research one must be sure to use reputable sources – especially when writing about what one doesn’t know.
I hope I make sense.
Don’t be a stranger, guys.
I write for a company that gives me topics I don’t know and then I have to research and compose an article complete with citations of any resource I’ve used. I’ve had a blast. In fact, one of the things I learned a couple days ago involves the Native American myth as to why owls hoot. I’d never heard that story, but it is one I’ll never forget now.
There are topics I won’t touch. Really detailed technology articles – I know I couldn’t do them justice. Others, I’m happy to learn all I can.
The advantage of writing about what you don’t know is that if the audience is new to the topic… you’re in the best shape to write it since what you learn is what the audience will learn.
One of my clients is in the financial business and finance is definitely not one of my more knowledgeable topics. It’s worked well for both of us.
I once wrote a white paper on buffalos. Fascinating and a cool blip on the writing portfolio.
Deb
If I hadn’t been willing to write about something I know little about, I would still be struggling to carve a writing career that supports me adequately.
But I also think the writer’s willingness to reserach the new subject properly is crucial.
I use wikipedia, but it’s mostly for background info so I don’t sound completely ignorant when I interview experts, who are my primary sources.
I also like to take a crash course in the subject I want to start writing about.
I may take a webinar or two, or if the subject is a medium-term career move, I attend a seminar or industry conference.
This year I decided to add the satellite manufacturing business to my subjects, so this week I attended a two-day annual conference held in my city.
I listened to hours of presentations and debates, interviewed people who interested me, took every scrap of free documentation I could find.
I know I’m fortunate to live in a city, and it was stressful for my family that I practically had a full-day job for the duration of the conference.
But the time investment helped me.write six articles on satellites including a 1800-word cover story (most people I know really don’t want to know how satellites operate, so editors in the industry were happy to find someone who doesn’t fall asleep during presentations).
Can I now tell satellite manufacturers how to run their business more profitably?Nope!
And until I know more/gain confidence, I will continue to send my articles to people I’ve asked to serve as my technical advisors, so they can spot inaccuracies and breaks in logic before I submit them for publication.
I guess all this waffling boils down to:sure you can write about something you know little about, but it’s a lot of work. And it helps if you plan to write about this new subject in the future.
One of my favorite journalism professors told me: “Write about what you know” and I’ve tried to follow that advice throughout my career. This is an interesting topic because in my journalism classes many moons ago I was taught how to research and interview my sources (even though I didn’t know anything about the topic or person I was interviewing). I write for an alternative health website and am their yoga writer. I was chosen to write for them based on my own personal experiences with yoga (I’ve been a student of yoga for ten years) and am very passionate about yoga. However, I realize how LITTLE I know about yoga after interviewing some amazing contacts and sources. I thought I knew about yoga but the topic of yoga is so BROAD! I’ve learned a great deal as a result of my research and interviews and here I thought I knew a lot! ha!
I think it helps if you have a connection or a professional background with a topic. As a writer, I know I feel very comfortable writing about health and wellness because of my professional experience working for public health non-profits. I also enjoy writing about food and wine as well. These are some of my favorite niches.
However, I am breaking out of my comfort zone and am tackling more technical writing projects. They can be a bit tedious but I’m learning to stretch myself and challenge myself as a writer as well.
I think there are experts who should stick to writing about very technical fields (i.e. engineers, scientists and doctors). A “lay person” can’t really give it justice as they aren’t absorbed in that field on a daily basis. I interviewed a doctor/therapist and was a bit paranoid when I was writing the article because I wanted to make sure I was doing him and his professional expertise/advice justice in the article.
If you’re a good researcher and love to research and know how to interview and ask the right questions, yes, I’m sure you could probably write about topics that aren’t familiar to you. It’s all a matter of getting your fact straight and not misquoting your sources.
I would love to tackle some subjects that are out of my niche but there are some subjects that are totally out of my expertise that I don’t think I would want tackle.