When I’m working with newer writers, the ‘can I write this’ question comes up a lot, in different forms. In this post, I’m hoping to give you an outside perspective on whether or not you can write this. Whatever ‘this’ is! Now, it is important to note before we jump in that I’m just a freelance editor. I’m not affiliated with any particular publishing set-up. I have no authority to publish or not publish your work. I’m just one person who reads a lot of books, including a lot of in-progress manuscripts, and has some thoughts. So, without further ado! Here are some of the things that have caused writers I’ve worked with to question, ‘can I write this?’

Can I write this? It feels too ambitious.

There is only one way to work out for sure whether you can pull off a book idea. That is to try and write it. You might start it and find that it is too much, in which case you’ve got a bunch of options! There’s pushing through to the end of a draft and then deciding what’s working and what needs to be cut. You might go back to basics and try to come up with a simpler version of the idea that still excites you. You could shelve the idea, for now. Get some practice by writing other things, and come back to it when you feel ready. This could be one good reason to work with a developmental editor or story coach! Someone able to guide you through some of those decisions and help you bring your ambitious vision to life.

Or, you might start it and find that, actually, it’s not at all too ambitious, and wouldn’t that be cool? It’s easy to be intimidated by your own ideas. They can feel very unmanageable and difficult to pin down when they’re just in your head. The only way to get a real handle on your story idea is to start writing it and see how it goes.

Can I write this super weird idea?

Probably? When authors worry that their book idea is too out-there, comp (or comparison) titles are a great place to start working out the legitimacy of that concern. Looking to existing media and trying to figure out where your idea fits into it is important if you’re going to be pitching/marketing your book at some point, but it can also be a valuable step in narrowing down your ideas before you start writing. You don’t have to limit yourself to existing books, you might find comparison titles for your story in films, TV shows or comics as well.

I also sometimes caution writers that, no matter how strange or convoluted their idea as a whole might be, they should think about how to explain it in a maximum of three sentences. If that’s impossible, it might be a sign that the story needs some refining before it’s ready to be written. That’s not to say it’s an unwritable idea, even then, and if you’re the kind of author that really thrives off grappling with a complex story as you draft then don’t let me stand in your way! But if you’re worried about the idea being too strange, unmarketable, or too much for you to write, then I think comp titles and additional planning can help you get to a more confident place.

I don’t have any time! Can I write a book?

Possibly the number one concern I come across when I’m working with authors trying to finish a first draft is around time. Nobody thinks they have enough time to write a book. Some people are right, probably! But of the writers I’ve worked with it tends to come down more to time management and expectations. I think some people feel like they need to be able to sit, undisturbed, for hours at a time in order to get a book written. As amazing as that would be, I’m pretty sure that isn’t how most people get their writing done!

The trick, or one of them anyway, is to stop holding out for perfect stretches of time and just find some time. Any time. Ten minutes waiting for your partner to finish getting ready to leave the house with you. Ot waiting for a meeting to start. Or on the bus or train. Handfuls of time here and there add up, and before you know it you’ve got a scene… a chapter… half the book… a full first draft.

It’s also necessary to overcome the urge for perfection in writing, and learn how to write rough drafts. Your first draft doesn’t have to be complete rubbish! But, just like waiting for the perfect time to write, if you won’t let yourself move on to a new scene until the one you’ve just written is perfect it’s going to take you a long time to finish a draft. Again, for some people this is the way they like to work – I’m not here to criticise that! But for writers who worry they don’t have time to write a book, one of the first things I aim to do is help them work out ways to do more with the time they have.

Can I write a book on a topic I’m not an expert in?

This one comes up with my non-fiction writers a fair bit. The answer, as far as I’m concerned at least, is a (qualified!) yes. For one thing, this question is sometimes a form of imposter syndrome. People with solid, valuable experience or knowledge sometimes don’t feel qualified to write a book about their topic. Perhaps because they don’t have X qualification, or Y years of work history, or Z other criteria that other people in the field have.

Even without a significant amount of prior knowledge or experience in a field though, there is sometimes a book that you can write as a non-expert. You obviously have to be honest about what you do and don’t know! But there is a place in this world for books that explore topics from the perspective of a passionate amateur. For those people, I suggest thinking about what draws them to the topic in question. Is it an enduring childhood interest? A passion that came out of nowhere? Has it been spurred on by some particular personal experiences? If you’re excited enough about a topic to want to write 50-75 thousand words on it, there’s probably something there that will speak to readers. You just need to hone in on that… and be prepared to do a lot of research.

Can I write about something I haven’t experienced?

There is a school of thought that holds that you can write about literally anything with enough research. I think this can be true, to an extent. I also think that there are some things that should be left to people who have direct experience, and can fully convey the nuances of a topic or situation. There are a lot of very different opinions on this one, so I just want to reiterate that this is my personal view. I just think, when it comes to matters of identity, you should generally avoid writing from perspectives that aren’t yours.

Different careers, time periods, life stages and a lot of personal experiences are, I think, fair game. As long as you’re prepared to do your research, ideally speaking to people who can offer different angles on the topic you want to write about, there are a lot of things out there that can be woven into your stories without issue. When it comes to issues of race, sexual identity, disability or some gender identities, that’s when I’d advise more caution. That’s not to say that none of your characters can be of a different identity to you, because that would probably not be a realistic world for your story! It’s good to have a cast of characters that makes sense in the world of your story, whatever that means for you. What I do recommend, personally, is avoiding writing directly from perspectives that you don’t have personal experience with.

I don’t like to read in this genre (or read at all). Should that stop me from writing a book?

I’m sure you can be utterly capable of writing a book without a wealth of literary experience… but I’m not sure it’s the best idea. The thing about writing when you don’t read is that you’re not only missing out on one of the easiest ways to develop your understanding of good writing. You’re also leaving a huge chunk of possible market research untouched. Reading a combination of successful books, highly praised books and hidden gems can give you a deeper sense of what is currently being written, what the history of your genre looks like and what people want to read.

But, if you hate reading (and can’t bear to listen to audiobooks either), you can still look elsewhere for ideas about story structure. When you watch TV or film, pay attention to the writing. Think about things like plot pacing and how characters talk to each other and develop. How backstory is parcelled out, and how the story’s world is built up. What makes you lose interest in something you’re watching? What keeps you on the edge of your seat? There’s a lot in these mediums that won’t translate to novel writing, but there are still lessons to pick up that can enhance your writing, and you can get an idea of the stories that people like to invest their time in.

So, if you’re ever wondering…

‘Can I write this?’ The answer, according to this editor at least, is yes. Probably. You just might need to think about your approach. This is where working with a developmental editor on your early draft(s) can be so helpful, since we can both cheer you on through the doubts and help you to refine your writing as you go.