Know What You Know

                                          Know What You Know, Stay True To You

                                                                       By

                                                           Dan Deloge

If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout my life is to know my limitations and when to explore. When I received the text from my first editor inviting me to be a monthly regular, I was ecstatic! But I was upfront and honest with him that I was by no means a professional in anything regardless of my credentials. In fact, to me, there are experts in this world, but even they will agree you need to stay on top of your trade otherwise the next dog chasing the same bone will snatch it up.

           I’ve been fortunate since moving to New Hampshire to have become a part of the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department as a volunteer Hunter Education Instructor. I’ve had the opportunity to work with the oldest instructor and longest-teaching instructor in the state’s history, readying myself to take the reins when he retires. I’ve been a part of Women On Target three years in a row and learn much about myself, the student I’m coaching, and my community. But I’m no firearms expert and will never claim to be, not when the coach next to me is a veteran who taught firearms in the military and the Chief Instructor and her husband are military. I’m just me, plain and simple.

           I’ve been writing regularly and now find myself in a position of writing double that, perhaps more. It isn’t work, even though at times the well seems to run dry and I’m grasping as straws to come up with something. But I stick to my original statement of not writing about something I don’t have knowledge of, experience with, or familiarity even from a distance. I also won’t write about things I can’t defend myself or my work with, but that doesn’t mean I won’t explore possibilities and find new and interesting avenues to dabble in.

           With a biology degree, most everything I do is analyze and research. One thing I try not to do is baffle my readers with bull…well, you know. They can smell it a mile away, and just as bad I know it in my heart and feel a sort of guilt. In the beginning of my writing career, I asked myself plenty of times, “What makes me an authority on this topic? What gives me the right to write and present such information?” Hence, I dig deeper than most and try not to make myself cookie cutter.

           I’ve always taken the approach of my readers and I are sitting around a campfire. We’re having a discussion, I’m (hopefully) imparting some wisdom, we share some laughs, some serious moments, and in the end walk away so I can face them on the street. This not only invites people to the “campfire”, but keeps them reading because I’m sharing something on a level anyone can read and appreciate. Not always an easy task, but I enjoy the challenge.

           Whether you’re just starting out or seasoned and hit a brick wall, stay with basics and write what you know. Prove that you’re writing about something you can do with your hands tied behind your back, blind-folded, hopping on one leg and tooting a kazoo. Okay, well, let’s leave out the kazoo, but you see what I mean, and you probably caught my hint of whimsy.

           And like I’ve said before, write as if it doesn’t matter. What is it that you’re really good at? Not what you do for a living outside of writing, or even writing. What is it that you’re good at without even thinking about it? Now tell yourself about it. Write to yourself, as if you are your own audience. Before you know it, you have a new submission for an editor.

           Write about things that will educate your audience, enlighten the unfamiliar, and perhaps even take notice of a few experts in the field. You all have something to share, a passion and a drive, clearly a gift whether straight-forward or abstract, so why not let it shine.

           Connect with those individuals or publications related to these interests. Reach out, expand and explore. What’s the worst that can happen? They say, “No thanks.” Incidentally, years ago writing my first book, those were the exact worst from a rejection letter I received. Just two words: “No thanks.” Yes, I saved that letter, if you can call it that outside of form and postage only.

           I was new, na?ve, and wanted to impress because I knew from my local audience my work was good. I wrote about things that I knew about, and much I had no clue, like love. But I still wrote it. In trying to impress I shot myself in the foot on more than one occasion. I was writing queries I hadn’t researched fully how to do properly and publishers smelled it before I sealed the envelope. I wrote about things in prose that sounded wonderful, but looking back were actually that of a child in some ways. I lacked that which would come with patience, practice and maturity.

           Over the years I’ve perfected some things, all with the understanding of Ancora Imparo (I Am Still Learning). If people keep this in mind, and write about topics, people, observations, whatever, they will go far or climb out of the rut they found themselves.

           In finding your footing, I believe writers can regain a firm foothold on their craft and venture out. Having said this, I also believe writers should find other avenues to explore because it will open doors of possibilities. I don’t think there are too many writers who have focused on one area or path and found another just as appropriate or more so than the first. Explore, expand, but have fun doing so. Learn as you go, and have fun. Once it becomes work, and I mean weeks at a time, then it’s time to reevaluate your path.

           If I tried to venture away from biology and outdoor writing, could I do it? Of course, I have faith in my abilities, and on more than one occasion I’ve been asked or permitted to write about things I had to research and discover for myself. But the article wasn’t sent for editing until I felt I could stand before a panel of my peers and answer their questions, to the best of my abilities, and without trying to baffle them with big words and eloquent grammar that even I would lose my place.

           If you find yourself limited in audience and seeing your name in print because of your chosen style or area of expertise, fret not. There are a few things I write in my books when autographing to remind people some simple, yet effective, sentiments: “Never stop dreaming, Never stop believing, Always follow your heart.” If I have the space, I sometimes add, “Never settle”, but one can only write so much.

           Never stop dreaming, because the work you begin today will be polished for something bigger, better, and greater tomorrow. Never stop believing, because we have enough doubt in this world, we don’t need any more added to the pot and doubt is a killer of talent. Always follow your heart, and stay true to yourself. Your career will go farther and your name will be remembered. Never settle, even though at times we have to. This is part of growing, but settling doesn’t mean complete failure and stagnant. It means as long as there is growth there is success, however measured. Remember the proverbial mustard seed? Small as it was it grew and yielded a bountiful harvest. Nurture, grow and reach!

           For what it’s worth, those are my two cents. Take care and stay healthy. Who knows, maybe I’ll see ya on the water or in the woods!