Annah Faulkner makes an important point here — that authors can write of something outside their experience, but will it resonate with readers?
Research and interviews can always fill the gaps as authors have pointed out, but emotional, immersive experiences can only be reached if a writer is properly empathetic to their subjects — do you agree? What writing or books have resonated with you like this?
For me, it’s Alice Pung’s Laurinda, which is the story of Lucy who is trying to find her place in her school and in life I guess. It’s a tender tale, even as Lucy is confused and angry all at the same time. She could have been talking about so many of us in school I think, even as parts of Lucy’s story are different.
