Deconstructing writing advice "Write What you know" found every which where, but may not be always applicable for debut writers trying to break into the publishing industry.
Wow, this really struck a chord with me. I’m on my second draft of my first novel, and it’s 100% “what I know.” But it’s the story of European immigrants in London, so I’m hoping people will relate to it. However, that’s only a minority of people, which might indeed affect its saleability. But I’m thinking one thing here - in order to relate to someone’s experience, is it necessary for the reader to share/have shared that experience? I think not. I would love to read your Indian novel, for example. I read novels by and about people very different from me and I love those stories. I can still relate to the emotions in the story. I think maybe those rejections were a little bit close-minded?
Thanks Sasha for sharing your thoughts. I absolutely agree that your book even though from a minority perspective might be more agreeable because people are already aware of that stuff to some level.
Also I’m not saying people in publishing don’t like to publish books from India. But they only want the big cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore… What people know of… The rich family lifestyle… The stereotypes from other forms of media…
In order to be relatable to someone’s experiences I don’t think they should have shared them… no, absolutely not… but instead they should be open to them…
So the immigrant experience is very much palatable, because that makes one see the things they know from a different perspective… but what about things that they don’t know at all… things they can’t fathom happens some place else in the world..
Wow, this really struck a chord with me. I’m on my second draft of my first novel, and it’s 100% “what I know.” But it’s the story of European immigrants in London, so I’m hoping people will relate to it. However, that’s only a minority of people, which might indeed affect its saleability. But I’m thinking one thing here - in order to relate to someone’s experience, is it necessary for the reader to share/have shared that experience? I think not. I would love to read your Indian novel, for example. I read novels by and about people very different from me and I love those stories. I can still relate to the emotions in the story. I think maybe those rejections were a little bit close-minded?
Thanks Sasha for sharing your thoughts. I absolutely agree that your book even though from a minority perspective might be more agreeable because people are already aware of that stuff to some level.
Also I’m not saying people in publishing don’t like to publish books from India. But they only want the big cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore… What people know of… The rich family lifestyle… The stereotypes from other forms of media…
In order to be relatable to someone’s experiences I don’t think they should have shared them… no, absolutely not… but instead they should be open to them…
So the immigrant experience is very much palatable, because that makes one see the things they know from a different perspective… but what about things that they don’t know at all… things they can’t fathom happens some place else in the world..
Thanks so much Sarah, I’m glad you liked