One of the dumbest things you were ever taught was to write what you know. Because what you know is usually dull. Remember when you first wanted to be a writer? Eight or ten years old, reading about thin-lipped heroes flying over mysterious viny jungles toward untold wonders? That's what you wanted to write about, about what you didn't know. So. What mysterious time and place don't we know?
Ken Kesey critiques the common advice to "write what you know," arguing that this often leads to uninspired and mundane storytelling. He suggests that people's knowledge is typically limited and dull, failing to capture the excitement and wonder that initially inspires a desire to write. Instead, he encourages aspiring writers to delve into the unknown, reflecting on their childhood dreams of adventurous narratives and fantastical worlds.
By referencing the imagination of young writers who dreamt of thrilling stories set in mysterious places, Kesey emphasizes the importance of creativity and exploration in writing. He invites writers to explore topics and settings outside their personal experiences, urging them to embrace the mysteries and wonders of the world that they have yet to discover.
