Research and Keith Fennell

I read something the other day in a newsletter about the famous quote 'Write what you know.' The author said something I found pretty profound- 'KNOW what you write!!'
How true is this?! Lets face it, if I only wrote what I know.. I'd have a few paragraphs (mostly containing a lot of swear words and violent threats of maiming male body parts) about giving birth- that's about the extent of what I know--four births is my biggest claim to fame-- really.
Lets face it, how many fiction writers out there are really experts on anything they write? and even then-- the few experts there are- are limited to only writing about their one area of expertise-- after a while this could become a little mundane.
So what hope has the average 'Joe wanna be writer' got if we play by these rules of 'Write what you know?'
Research.
Research is the key to any writers venture into fiction.
Unless you want to write about some futuristic parallel universe-- you pretty much need to have at least some reliable facts to give your story authenticity.
Research, research and more research is the key.
Over the last few years I've had a strong Military theme running through the majority of my books, and while I'm far from being an authority on this subject, I have developed a very strong, respect for the area's I've researched.
I've found reading books written about people's experiences in the chosen area of interest you're researching brings a great perspective to your subject. That could be just me- I never had been big on facts and figures. I've been reading two books written by the one man, Keith Fennell over the weekend, and found myself taking away so much more than just the background information I was searching for when I bought the books.
Keith was the youngest man to ever be accepted into the Australian SAS, and if anyone knows anything about the selection course these guys have to go through just to be accepted- you'll know that it's nothing sort of a living hell. I took away so much more than just interesting information- I was blown away by this mans strength of character and will power, the sheer guts it took to force mind, body and spirit to overcome the grueling weeks of selection.
In Warrior brothers, the first book, I gained such a deep understanding of the loyalty that is the foundation of the SAS brotherhood. I, like most Australian's, have been bought up on the legend of ANZAC and the horrors of war as well as the deep bond soldiers forge for their mates, especially during war, but reading the gritty, sometimes humorous, but often heartbreaking events that were in the book, gave me an intimate, deeply personal insight into the thoughts and fears of a soldier.
It took a mind blowing amount of courage to endure the trials and tribulations of just getting into the SAS, but I personally think it took considerable more courage to write such an inspiring and deeply moving account of one man's journey through life as both a man and a soldier.
I came away with so much more than simple research into a topic that has always fascinated me-- it taught me a lot about the human spirit and the importance of never giving up on your dreams no matter what they are or what the adversity.
I can wholeheartedly recommend these books to anyone who is suffering a bout of 'self doubt'. After reading through these books especially, 'Warrior Training', I dare you to still feel as though you can't achieve anything!