Write what you know.

[dameboudicca]

You know, that advise you get all the time. It has some truth to it (especially if not taken to literally).

But what do you do if you suffer from prosopagnosia (facial blindness), when you couldn't describe the face of someone you knew if your life depended on it even? If you are incapable of reading facial expressions (at least, if they are not really exaggerated). Does that mean you have to write stories about faceless beings who never shows the slightest hint of an expression on their faces? It would be all right if your character had the same condition, but if you don't want that...?

This is not just a question out of idle curiosity, I have these problems, and so far I have avoided it by using generic descriptions (put together from stuff I've read), but it feels a bit like cheating (no, no, not word-by-word, of course not - but still!) - and I'm terrified someone will, eventually, see through it. After all, I know it's fake!

Or, do I have no choice but to continue as I do now?

[somewhat cross-posted]

Comments

[ailelie]

1. Ignore the face. Humans express emotions through more than facial expressions. Point out a tightening fist, slumped shoulders, feet that won't stay still, a kicked out hip. Use words and silences. How do you know when someone is angry? Happy? Sad? Use *that*.

2. So many people focus too much on the face, because it is easy to read, and then ignore the rest of the body. This is something many writers have to overcome. Your ahead in that respect. Don't worry about what you can't do, and focus on what you can.

3. What what you know does not mean write only what you have experienced. There are many ways to 'know' something.

[ailelie]

Write what you know*

[dameboudicca]

Thank you!
Perhaps it is easier to focus on what I don't know and worry about that, than look at what I DO know and focus on that. It ought to turn out different anyway! And when it comes to writing, different is mostly a good thing! :)