First off, thanks, Tracy, for having me on the blog today! (Tracy: You’re so welcome!)
Readers, I’ll be giving away one copy of Holsum College 4: Player and the Prude to a randomly selected commenter. Throw in your two cents below to win!
And on with the blog…
Common knowledge in writing circles is that authors should always write what they know. And while I’ve never understood how that pertains to authors of fantasy, science fiction, or horror, I myself have often tried to stick with characters who feel familiar to me. Or maybe a better way to describe it is I’ve shied away from writing characters and situations I didn’t know at all.
For example, I really know nothing about cowboys. Do they have to farm cows? What about if they live on some other kind of farm—can they be alpaca boys?
But then there are also problems inherent in writing what you do know. I grew up in New York City, but I don’t know if I could write about New York in a way that would feel familiar to most readers. I don’t have the wide-eyed excitement of an outsider or the Seinfeld-esque sense of humor of a lifelong local. Honestly, the NYC of my mind is dirty and gritty and not terribly romantic. Well, except for Central Park, which in my mind is fun and mysterious and filled with wonder—not to mention stoned people rollerskating (it was the 70s.)
So I have to write about some things I don’t know, or else my stories are going to be extremely boring. And in Player and the Prude, I decided to push myself to write a character way outside my comfort zone: my prudish North Dakotan, Matt Porter.
Matt is the twenty-year-old gay son of a conservative minister. He’s quiet, stoic, and extremely conflicted about his feelings about sex. He’s nothing like me—or anyone I know. I’ve never been to North Dakota, or known anyone extremely religious. And yet, I wanted to rise to the challenge of imagining what it would be like to be that person—who knows he can’t live up to the ideals he was raised with, but desperately wants to find a way to be okay with both his family’s values and also the experience of being gay.
What came out of this exploration was one of the best characters I’ve ever written. Matt captured the hearts of my beta readers, and won me over to the idea of writing outside my range of familiarity.
The funny thing is—my beta readers feel I drew Matt perfectly, but I have no idea if they’re right. Writing his story was like feeling my way around in the dark. I threw experiences and feelings and reactions down on paper, constructing a persona that seemed to make sense. But, I’m just going to have to see how Holsum College fans respond.
The one way I knew I built Matt right, however, was in the emotions and actions he dragged out of his co-hero, Brooks Price.
Now, Brooks is a character I really related to. He’s from New York, raised by typical pushy, opinionated New Yorkers. He knows how to work his assets, and has a tendency to see people more for what they can do for him than who they are. In both his strengths and his weaknesses, I was familiar with Brooks’s “type.” He’s like lots of people I grew up with. And in my worst moments, he’s a lot like me.
Maybe that is the answer to why Matt worked so well as a character. I may not have known what I was doing in writing Matt, but I knew how I wanted Brooks to respond. And I knew that in writing a hero who was all about values and morals, I could make a shallow, self-centered player a better man.
So—
What do you think about people writing what they do or don’t know? Do you like a gritty texture and context that happens when an author is writing something from their own experience? Or do you like it when authors go off-script entirely and make up universes, whether in the real world or in science fiction.
Worth noting—Norman Rockwell was born and raised in a crummy little apartment in New York. Was his vision of small town America less realistic, or maybe more iconic because of that fact?
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Book Blurb:
Brooks Price loves a challenge. So when a frenemy dares him to sleep with a dorky, over-tall, film major, Brooks amps up his considerable charm.
Matt Porter can’t guess why Brooks is flirting with him. Raised religious, Matt doesn’t believe in sex before relationships. Unfortunately, Brooks is all about sex, and Matt doubts Brooks is interested in anything else.
Slowly, Brooks chips away at Matt’s armor—taking him on dates, asking for kisses, holding hands—baby steps none of which Matt can resist or refuse. However, when Brooks pushes too far, Matt freaks out.
Despite his stoic exterior, Matt’s painfully conflicted over his sexuality—scared of his darker desires, worried about hurting Brooks. The pair explores boundaries, but when things turn rough and Matt unleashes his inner wants, he doesn’t know if he can overcome his shame about sex in order to be with the man he’s growing to love.
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Bio:
Birkenstock-wearing glamour girl and mother of two by immaculate conception, Daisy Harris still isn’t sure if she writes erotica. Her romances start out innocently enough. However, her characters behave like complete sluts. Much to Miss Harris’s dismay the sex tends to get completely out of hand.
She writes about fantastical creatures and about young men getting their freak on, and she’s never missed an episode of The Walking Dead
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Website: www.thedaisyharris.com
I've been enjoying the Holsum College series so far, and I'd love to win this one! 🙂
Writing what you don't know – I think it all depends on the skill and craft of the writer. I've read horrible stuff from writers who were writing things they knew well, and sublime stuff from writers who were writing things beyond their experience.
Love the blurb. Hope I win!
Hi Chris and Gigi,
Thanks for the comments. And Chris—yeah, it's funny about "write what you know". I often get that invariable question about how I can possibly, as a straight woman, write about gay sex. But I'm all, "Just because a person has does it doesn't mean they can describe it in a meaningful way."
Cheers, Guys!
And Tracy, thanks again!
Please count me in!
Well writing about stuff you don't know is how I'm guessing all paranormal writers do it ! 🙂
If the story is good I'm not likely to be bothered if things aren't exactly like they should be, but if the writing isn't good, it just adds up to more stuff not to like!
I have read two of the Holsum College books and have really enjoyed them! Keep them coming!
I think that even if you write what you do know, it may mean nothing to someone who does not know about that same topic. For example, I have no idea how a native North Dakotan would act. People are interesting in the fact that millions could go through the same situation and all come out different. So long as an author explains the why behind a character's personality or actions, everything should be fine. Writing something new keeps authors on their toes and always thinking of the details that have already been placed. This can create a truly beautiful story, when not only the reader is learning the world as they go, but the author coming to belong in that world as well.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a great book! I love the Men of Holsum College. And btw, you do a great joy writing what you don't know. 🙂
I am on the third book and loving it. Thanks for the chance to win.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
Hey Daisy! Thanks again for being on the blog – it's always fun to have you here.
I can't imagine writing what you don't know but then there's all those fantasy novels out there that blow my mind when I read them. How do the authors minds WORK that way? Obviously mine doesn't. lol
I love historicals and fantasies, but authors obviously aren't writing from experience with either of those genres. As long as the writing is genuine and enjoyable I won't care (or notice) if the details are inaccurate. On the other hand, those authors who write setting as character I hold to a much higher standard and expect to see evidence of experience and/or in depth research because they are making it as important as their protagonists.
I know that I should be commenting about the blurb or interview, but the male hotness with the green eyes has me flummoxed, lol.
Count me in please! 🙂
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
I mean really! Those eyes! How can one concentrate after seeing that? Just awesome…though the other guy with the hair distracted me again 🙂 Please count me in for the book. Thanks!
chellebee66 at gmail dot com
As other's have commented, many books are written where the author could not have first hand knowledge or experience. Therefore, I think an author can write either way. Thanks for the giveaway.
strive4bst at yahoo dot com
I have only read the first book of this series but will definitely be getting the rest.
As far as your question, I think that it is perfectly acceptable for authors to write about things that they have not experienced first hand. After all, any paranormal, sci-fi, futuristic, etc books are completely imaginary. Even with historical and contemporary books, the story is fiction so the author does not need to have either first hand experience or intense research. I do think that authors of these types of books should try to be as authentic as possible, no major inconsistencies such as historicals set in the 18th century having automobiles, telephones, etc.
Congrats on the new release!
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
I love the Holsum College series :), and I'd love to win this new book.
Bogusia
ivoost@wp.pl
Hello Daisy,
Your Men of Holsum College Series are all Fantastic reads & I'm thrilled that Holsum College 4"Player and the Prude" is being released. I Loved the Blurb & I'm really LQQking forward to reading this new addition to a Great Series.
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous giveaway of one copy of Holsum College 4: "Player and the Prude. Thank You.
Take Care & Stay Naughty,
PaParanormalFan (Renee’ S.)
paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com
Daisy – I'm posting this for a commenter that's having trouble with blogger:
I love this series, and was totally unaware that there was a new book out…would be a great one to win!
I have no problem with authors writing what they don't know, as long as it's plausible (or fun enough that I don't care if it is or not)!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com