Write What You Know… Or Research What You Want to Learn

All writers are familiar with the phrase “write what you know”. If you don’t those who do know will let you know that your written words are wrong. Writers don’t know everything and we must do research from time to time. Before I started my manuscript in earnest, research needed to be done. So I visited a bordello.

There are many great things about setting your story in a bordello. One, everybody knows what happens in a house of ill repute, no matter what time frame you choose. Two, you don’t have to spend chapters describing your characters actions so that the reader understands what is going on. Herman Melville’s unabridged Moby Dick is a good example. Don’t get me wrong, it is very helpful to have this information as you read the story. I doubt I’ll ever fully understand the workings of a whaling ship in the nineteenth century, but it did slow down the pace of the story. At least from my perspective. I do encourage you to read Moby Dick. Getting back to my story, it’s downright fun to write about a cat house.

I visited Miss Laura’s Social Club, also known as the Fort Smith (Arkansas) Visitor’s Center, in May 2015. After surviving a flood, a nearby fire and a tornado, Miss Laura’s is the city’s only remaining row house. It is furnished with period furniture and the docents were very helpful in answering my questions. As luck would have it, Carolyn A. Joyce, the Tour and Travel Sales Manager for the city of Fort Smith, plays Miss Laura for special events. She took time out of her busy schedule to talk with me. The impromptu meeting was invaluable.

After gleaning all I could from Miss Laura’s, I made my way to the Fort Smith Historical Site and Judge Isaac Parker’s courtroom. In the gift shop, I noticed book by Michael Rutter titled Upstairs Girls – Prostitution in the American West. Truly, the research gods smiled on me that day. I purchased the book, read it, and obtained his other book, Boudoirs to Brothels. Just by luck, I stumbled onto two great books for researching prostitution.

It is advised to write what you know. But when you have to do research, enjoy it and you may be surprised at how easy the information you are seeking comes to you.

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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what I’m reading. I may not be a published author yet, but I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read. I’m currently reading Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. I’m two-thirds of the way through this tome and it is entertaining.