Yes. I’m sure many of us have heard or read the old adage, when we’re new writers, wondering what to write, that we should ‘Write What We Know’. But I’ve also heard through idea of writing what you DON’T know, but want to.
I feel this is a much more interesting idea, and one of my best books I’ve had published, I suspect. That book is the memoir I wrote about my new chronic illness Multiple Sclerosis. New at the time of writing the book that is, I was diagnosed with MS in 2010, and began writing that memoir once I was able to move around more easily again, and was able to put my mind to it.
“Mick Jane and Me, Living Well With MS” was published in 2013, using monies obtained from a Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability grant, which enabled me to work with a poet to assist me to write this memoir in verse. Ray Tyndale was the poet, she and I had many hours of useful talk about poetry and writing.
I was writing that memoir about my new life as a person with a disability, and I was learning about what that may mean in my life. A new reality; but not a bad one, the more I learned about MS, the more I saw new ways to go with my life. And now, in 2022, my life is excellent, I do all I want to do, my mobility gets better and better, the more I get moving!
I’m still thrilled when I receive feedback from others with MS who have read my memoir, and been inspired by reading my words. If this book can do this for myself and for other people as well, how awesome is the power of Words!? I love that – my words, my actions in sharing them, and better lives happen. I an humbled and thrilled by it still.
My life as a recognised writer and important community member continues to expand the possibilities in life open to me, and enable me to speak out to share the truths I can see and have experienced. If the community is willing to assist everyone, then the whole community will benefit!
Something for everyone to think on there – how might you help someone in need of it? Listen up, and learn – helping others will help you too!
Carolyn Cordon - Creative 
Write about what you know. I first heard this phrase in the “Little Women” movie and then Josephine March wrote her masterpiece “Beth”. I have had 5 publishers and 10 books published, all fictional stories, and the only book they have turned down is the novel of my life. 😆
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Have you found a publisher for the novel of your life yet? I hope you keep trying and find that publisher for it! If not, self-publishing has now become a respectable way of getting words published, and if you are already a published writer, there is nothing to be ashamed of with going the ‘do it yourself’ route!
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