Write what you don't know

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT

WRITE WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW

They say, "Write what you know." But what happens when your story takes you somewhere you've never been, into a time period you've never experienced, or into the mind of someone with skills you don't have?

The truth is, you don't have to know everything to write about anything.

In this episode of Wordslinger 10-Shots, bestselling author J. Kevin Tumlinson shares practical tips for writing convincingly about things you know little or nothing about. Whether you're writing a historical thriller, science fiction, fantasy, or contemporary fiction, learning how to research unfamiliar subjects and draw from your own experiences can make your stories more believable and immersive.

We'll explore how tools like Google Maps, Google Earth, YouTube, and AI can help you research unfamiliar locations, historical settings, professions, and technologies. We'll also talk about using your own life experiences to bring authenticity and emotional depth to situations you've never personally encountered.

And what happens when you get something wrong? Because sooner or later, every writer does!

Don't let gaps in your knowledge stop you from telling a great story. The world is full of resources, and your imagination is one of the most powerful tools you've got.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:How to research places you've never visitedHow to use Google Maps and Google Earth for fiction researchHow AI can help with historical settings and unfamiliar subjectsHow to draw on personal experiences to write the unfamiliarWhy fact-checking matters (especially when readers know more than you)How YouTube can help bring your settings and characters to life

QUESTION FOR YOU: How do you research something you've never experienced? What tools or tricks do you use to make your fiction feel authentic? Share your tips in the comments!

CHAPTERS:00:00 - Why Writers Must Write What They Don't Know00:46 - Writing About Unfamiliar Places, Times, and Professions01:38 - Researching Locations with Google Maps and Google Earth03:31 - Using AI to Research Historical Settings05:09 - Using Your Own Experiences to Write the Unknown07:53 - Getting the Details Wrong (and Hearing About It!)08:42 - Fact-Checking and Research Resources09:23 - Using YouTube to Explore Places and Learn New Skills11:09 - Share Your Best Writing Research Tips

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FIND KEVIN:Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.comJoin Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.comWordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com

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