by Ann Diament Koffsky

“Write what you know,” is a classic piece of advice given to writers.

Hogwash!

If I only wrote what I know? I would be writing very little!

For example, I didn’t know much about Emma Lazarus. Just that she had written the poem about the Statue of Liberty. That’s it.

But because I was compelled by that poem, I was driven to research and discover a lot more about her: her compassion for immigrants, her advocacy work, and her kindness (I especially loved learning how she once wrote a passionate response to an antisemitic screed—go Emma!)  And thus, my love and admiration for Emma led to my book WHAT EMMA WROTE, (Apples and Honey press, March 2026).

I propose that we transform the advice of “Write what you know,” into what I think is a far more useful mantra, “Write what you CARE ABOUT.”  Caring, otherwise known as feelings, can be a supercharged, flammable, writing fuel!

For example, you wouldn’t think feelings of grief would lead to a book about comedian Mel Brooks. But when my family and I suffered a terrible loss a couple of years ago, humor was one of our life rafts—or as Brooks said, “Once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it,” This inspired me to write BLAZING HUMOR: MEL BROOKS IS SERIOUSLY FUNNY. (Intergalactic Afikoman, April 2026).

BOREDOM inspired another of my new books.  Passover lasts eight long days, and if you’re one of those who celebrates the holiday by eating matzah (a flat, cracker-like unleavened bread) each day, it can start to taste pretty bland by day three! Matzah with melted cheese and tomato sauce smeared on top has always given me a welcome break from the boring, and so it is for the main character of my book THE MIRACLE OF MATZAH PIZZA (Intergalactic Afikoman, February 2026)

Other writer friends of mine report that their caring, and emotions have inspired them, too.

A feeling of SHOCK inspired educator and author Jacqueline Jules, “I was very surprised to learn that my students didn’t know that the Pentagon had been attacked on September 11, 2001.” How could her students, who lived just miles from the Pentagon, not know what their neighbors had suffered that terrible day? This led her to write SMOKE AT THE PENTAGON (Bushel & Peck, 2023).

ANGER can be a motivator too, according to author Linda Elovitz Marshall, “Furious that Russia invaded Ukraine, the former home of my great grandparents, I wrote BRAVE VOLODYMYR: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine (HarperCollins, 2023).

And, lest I leave you with the impression that only negative emotions can inspire, let me add that positive ones can be effective too, “I’ve always loved encounters with nature—seeing the ocean, watching sunsets, climbing mountains, exploring wildlife,” author Chana Stiefel says. Those feelings led her to write AWE! (Scholastic, March 2026).

So, the next time you feel bored, shocked, frustrated, awestruck, furious—take note!

Feelings are a compass—they can point you precisely to what you care about and what’s important to you; to what’s meaningful to you and your unique soul.

Feel the feelings.

And get out your notebook.

Ann Diament Koffsky is the award-winning author and illustrator of more than 50 books for children.

Ann’s artwork has also been featured on products by Hallmark, Costco, Great Arrow Graphics, Rite Lite Judaica, as well as in publications like The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Times, Jewish Action Magazine and Hadassah Magazine.

Previously she was an editor and art director at Behrman House Publishers, and an illustration Professor at Stern College, Yeshiva University. 

Ann lives with her family in West Hempstead, NY. Visit her online at AnnKoffsky.com.