Mark Twain famously said: “Write what you know.” In this video, author Nathan Englander explains that Twain’s advice “write what you know” isn’t about events — it’s about universal emotions like love, loss, and longing. When you write what you know, you reveal your thoughts, ambitions, ideas and personality through your writing in a way that’s unique via your first hand experience. If you add a personal touch, your content will be more engaging by providing your personal insights and knowledge on the subject matter. You should write about your experiences, but also the issues you feel passionate about. Focus on what you love (and the things you hate). If you follow Twain’s advice, your content will be appeal to your audience on a more personal level. Find innovative ways to revisit meaningful moments in your life, and then write the story that only you can write. By doing it this way, you will find your voice faster and reach more people than if you try to imitate someone else or follow a trend.

 

Let’s end with a quote from the late Richard Carlson, author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: 

“It’s as though our thoughts are the ink in the pen of life, and we are the illustrators.”