“Write What You Know”

Mark Twain has apparently been quoted as such. I’ve also seen others’ variations such as; “Write what you want to know,” or “Write what you don’t know.” 

I wasn’t aware of Twain’s advice as I wrote Shadow Over the Heartland, but it certainly makes sense as a starting point. I thought it might be interesting to provide some examples of how his advice relates to the novel, within which I detail bits and pieces of myself, my experiences, and even my nostalgia.

The locations… 

I won’t get into details, or give anything away from the novel. I’ll let you unwrap it for yourself. The story is set in a farming community close to the center of the “heartland.” For those who don’t know what the “heartland” is, it’s not necessarily a formal area. Generally, it’s considered to be the twelve states in the middle of the U.S., a large agricultural area. I’ve spent a lot of time there; I know the area, as well as its people, its local rituals, and its history.

The story also takes the primary character to several other countries (Europe, South America, and China). I’ve been to each, and have a feel for the people, the food, and the traditions. Quite a bit of my travel experience was work-oriented, fantastic adventures that I treasure!      

The science… 

For many years, I was involved in providing financing to biotech companies. It was the most interesting experience in my career. Learning about leading edge scientific breakthroughs and new technologies. Also, quite interesting talking with the scientists who were able to present their work in a manner that was understandable to those without the scientific grounding. 

The venture capital world… 

Tacking onto the prior paragraph, I was able to meet with many venture capitalists as well as entrepreneurial-oriented executives. They were well-grounded in the science, but also brought management experience and necessary discipline, prudence, and judgment to their companies.

I enjoyed putting these “worlds” together, and hope you’ll find an interesting confluence when you read the novel!

Cheers!

Tom