Write what you know. I’ve heard that advice all my life. But is it good advice?
What I know is my box, my comfort zone. The people that I am comfortable with are usually people like me. My comfort zone is where I live, where I worship, my own neighborhood grocery store where I know what’s on every aisle.
When I expand my circle of friends, I expand my thinking and see myself differently. When I travel to different places, I deepen my understanding of where I live. And when I open myself up to conversations about faith with people who bring different ideas, I gain a clearer understanding of my own belief in Jesus. Getting outside of my world helps to give me perspective. Getting outside the box helps me clarify what I know and helps me to be a better writer.
“Without two eyes – binocular vision – there is no awareness of space’s third dimension. Until sight converges from more than one angle, the world looks as flat as a postcard. The rewards of having two eyes are practical; they keep us from bumping into chairs and enable us to judge the speed of approaching cars. But the final reward is the deepened view of the world itself – the panoramas which unroll before us, the vistas that extend from our feet. It is the same with ‘the eye of the soul,’ as Plato called it. ‘What do they know of England, who only England know?’” Huston Smith
Getting outside the box helps me see the beauty of the box and appreciate “the vistas that extend from my feet”.
Are you thinking outside the of the box? Do you need to get out more?
Please share. Different views bring perspective!
Betsy
WritingSisters.com
For some reason, I’m thinking of Jesus as being a person outside the box–very different from everyone else, even odd to some. But because He loved others so generously, compassionately, expansively–many came to accept, appreciate, admire, and even emulate His outside-of-the-boxedness. Someone I met this year, who has become a good friend, does not share my beliefs about Jesus. That can be a deal breaker in relationships, as it’s a significant “difference” to accommodate. What I’ve realized though, is that she possesses the kind of love which must have attracted so many to Jesus–patient, tolerant, compassionate. So I’m wondering if perhaps, love opens the window for us to see from a different perspective? I don’t have to embrace my friend’s quite different “spirituality”, but I can embrace her, and the friendship–and enjoy the similarities we do share. God bless you, Betsy–love, sis Caddo
I agree with you that Jesus was outside the box. A great role model for loving and accepting people, I think. Thanks for posting Caddo.
I believe in regards to your post that “get to know” That is where research and good fact checking comes in. Of course I have been accused (and complimented) for too much fact. The WIP I have now is not footnoted or as heavily documented I have however done a fair bit of research in order to feel that as I write I know what I am talking about.
Also you seem to be an avid reader and if you read with an open mind and diversity surely there also you can find an ‘out of the box’ perspective. I just took a friend to see The Words and MINOR but never-the-less a”SPOILER ALERT” as the work is plagiarized (it is far more complex than that) But when the real author and he who stole his words meet, it is pretty amazing how he tells him the background story that led him to write such a magnificent piece.
Your BOX may well be another person’s outside thereof….
Interesting.
This concept is easy to see in the context of childhood vs. adulthood.
A child, of course, knows all there is to know of his childhood. The parent, however, knows more, and it is his differing perspective that gives him this knowledge. Again, the mom knows far more about some facets of her child than the dad does. Yet they may all three need a physician’s knowledge to figure what they don’t know, while a general practioner, in turn, may defer to a pediatrician.
And grandma could trump them all.
Still, only the child knows where he last played with the car keys, and he doesn’t always grasp the importance of the question, of remembering and showing where they are.
Our lack of knowledge never ends, therefore should not stop us from writing what we do know.
Yes, Great point about the perspective of children. You have made me think!
We all know more than we think.
Writing outside the box is important. If we don’t know something, we can look it up. What we can’t look up are the emotions we need to write. And we all have those if we explore inside a little.
Thanks for posting your comment. I like that idea bout the inside exploration. So important.
A deepened view of the world gives rise to a deepened view of self. Which helps in all endeavors, I think
Well said.
Reblogged this on In Love With The Lord and commented:
Much of my life right now is outside of the lifelong comfort zone or “box” and stepping out was the best thing for me as a writer and Christian. Read this, and give it some thought.
Martha, Thanks for sharing this! Glad you are outside the box. Hard to step out sometimes.
I am dancing on the lid of that box right now~
Love that!