Perhaps the worst advice possible given to new writers, “Write What You Know”. It seems innocent enough. All of us know something, so use what you know as a story. While I agree for someone starting out to use this advice, I hate it for any writer moving on from beginner to novice.

We live in a day and age where information comes at us from all directions. Any time I am faced with not knowing something, I got a phone connected to the internet. Know how late a store is open, where a friend l...