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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/29593
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

As a young writer, it is completely understandable that you haven't been able to experience or deal with a variety of situations in life. However, contrary to this fact, almost all writers regardless of age and divine wisdom will experience difficulty in writing certain themes and issues due to unfamiliarity that will arise at some point when writing.

The best example I can use is writing fantasy, as you said you have tried. Of course there are the stereotypical fantastical elements and themes given to the genre that can be seen as a 'starting point' for many fantasy writers. However, those who write fantasy have never been in such situations in their life, and probably never will. I'm sure J.K Rowling isn't a witch or wizard, and wasn't one around the time she wrote Harry Potter.

So what is it that allows for writers to write scenes and themes that they don't know? Either by creating their own dictating rules of their universe that allow them to govern aspects with what they already know or have imagined, going out into the world and _trying_ to experience what they're writing about, or more popularly – by doing research.

Research, in general, doesn't have to be the monotonous task of finding information and writing notes. There are many ways one chooses to find information, but when writing, research can often be quite fun and eye-opening. As well as this, research allows for writers to be led astray from stereotypes, as what one probably already knows about something that they are unfamiliar with is probably the utmost cliché of the idea.

Of course, writing notes may be fine for some people. And, in general, I would say writing notes is very efficient to come back to when writing. However, there are a vast array of things one can do to look more into the situations and themes one chooses to write. A great way to research for novels is to read other books and examine other texts dealing with similar themes and issues. And often, if you enjoy your book and have developed a general enthuse for your story, you will begin to really take an interest in the majoring themes within your book. I tend to do this often; if I am writing a distinct story about a fictional sporting team, for example, other books, TV shows, and movies about the same thing will generally begin to appeal to me.

Another way to obtain an idea of experience is to read accounts of or talk to people who have gone through similar situations as the ones you're unsure about. For travelling, as you said, it may help to read blogs of people who have gone to or live in the country you are writing about. Writing about polygamy, for example? There are many real, public accounts of relationships in this dynamic that you can find online and in non-fiction literary form. This method, combined with accurate research, would also be ideal for any medical situations you may need to write about, as fictional examples aren't as reliable of a source. Of course, in these situations it always pays to be respectful – again, by developing interest in the themes of your story, you tend to acquire a believable curiosity in the experience you're looking for and have a large will to write about said themes as accurately as possible.

All in all, there are many ways to try and obtain familiarity without actually experiencing the situations you want to write about. Just know that you don't have to actively have participated in something you wish to write about in order to write it well. After all, writing is about the execution of your ideas. Even the most wise and experienced person in a field may have a great understanding of their expertise, but their plan of execution if ever they want to write about their knowledge may be completely off or uncharismatic. It may also help for you to write a small portion of your story that contains an attempt at writing a theme you are unfamiliar with, and then pass off said excerpt to a beta or anyone that is familiar with what you are trying to write and allow them to make a judgement on your accuracy. It also pays to continue to write in the theme you are wishing to master. With dedication, even just by having frequent attempts at writing themes that allude unfamiliarity, you will eventually allow yourself to drastically gain experience in just _writing_ said topic! Good luck!

Original score: 10