As authors, we’ve heard this refrain often enough. Many years ago, when my husband and I attended a dinner party, his boss’s snooty wife said to me: "You haven’t had enough experiences in life to write about them yet." Duh. This adage doesn’t mean you have to be an aircraft mechanic to write about a jet pilot as a hero. What this phrase means is we must tap into our own emotions to portray them in our characters. Have I ever felt embarrassment, hurt, fear or envy? These are what we mean by Write What You Know.

I should have said to this lady, "Haven’t you heard of research?" Certainly I knew nothing about being a hairdresser when I chose salon owner Marla Shore as my sleuth. So how did I learn? By trailing my stylist around the salon, interviewing hairdressers, visiting a local beauty school, subscribing to Modern Salon magazine, attending a trade show. Research, baby!

So how come I’ve never written books about a nurse, since my own background is in nursing?

1. I wanted to write humorous mysteries and couldn’t think of anything funny involving a nurse.

2. It had been a while since I’d practiced, so a lot of research would be involved.

3. The research wouldn’t be fun. I’d have to hang around a hospital ward or trail a visiting nurse on her rounds. Sad stuff.

I have three stipulations for creating a mystery series: It should be set in Florida. The sleuth’s occupation should be easily researchable. And the topic should be fun and interesting.

So in terms of Write What You Know, it’s not your profession that counts. Many mystery authors have created series based on their occupation, but then what happens when that series is cancelled? They either have to launch a spin-off series, or–you got it–do the research for a totally different idea.

So don’t be put off if you lack experience in a certain career. You can do the research. What is more important is to tap into your emotions. Use those incidents in your background to make your characters come alive. Let out your inner demons and Write What You Know.