Write what you know? Part 1

Whining...

How many poems can I write about fatigue?

I know: It's starting to sound pretty boring—and fast.

The conventional wisdom we often hear is "Write what you know." However, what if mostly what I know these days relates to weariness and middle age? Yawn.

The rest of life is really good right now, and that also tends not to make exciting, tension-filled poetry. While I'll take happiness over drama, I still want to write poems that I think are strong and other people might think are worth reading.

Or can you write what you don't know—especially if it seems more interesting and less self-indulgent? How do you do it?

(I don't know when part 2 will come up, but I'm certain it will eventually.)