It is a piece of advice that has been around for years, having authors now debating and defending. On advising articles, I have read endlessly about writing what it is most familiar, what is felt and experienced. Fickle, I too have tried to wrap my head around this. Before I wrote my first novel, I went through character sketch after character sketch only to find them in the waste basket.
That's where they always found themselves.
I didn't succeed later with finishing a novel until I focused less on how much I knew. Even though Skewed is autobiographical, there were several elements completely foreign to me- domestic abuse, drug/substance abuse, and murder within a family. That's what allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone for the sake of the reader. All in all, isn't that my imagination taking control? As a creative writer, it truly does a body good to actually be creative. It is not always easy to put one's self in another person's shoes (not to mention the criticism you will receive), but it helps you learn a lot about other people.
As far as setting and characterization goes, it also benefits the brain to learn a bit, concerning maybe India's geography or majors at Yale.
Do whatever works for you. If your heart is feeling expressing your latest heart break, and you'd really like to get back at the whore who did it to you, then you know what you must do. You will have greater character development of Tommy who was just left at the altar. But, if you would rather write about bullied Keith and research symptoms of teenage depression, don't be afraid to learn something!
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