I often wonder just how much real life other authors put into their books. I had a writing friend ask me recently if my heroine was anything like me. At first I said no. That would mean she was extremely boring. LOL But after thinking about it for a while, I had to admit there is a lot of me in this character as well as a lot of what I would like to be in her as well.
I use real life situations in my books too. It might be something from my past that influenced my mood or feelings or it could be something I’ve read or watched. I must add the “read or watched” part to ease my mother’s fears that I was terrorized as a child by a dark stranger chasing me in the night. :) I have no idea why I would rather write a suspenseful story rather than a nice calm cozy love story. It’s just what I like. It doesn’t mean anything. Right?
Watching others is another way I collect information. Let’s face it. What better way to bring life to our characters? Sitting and studying those around us at the mall or at a restaurant is a great way to pick up a trait or funny habit and give our characters to create that three-dimensional feel. I try to be discreet and smile politely when getting caught.
The information I’ve observed in my neighborhood alone could fill several books. Think a spin off from Desperate Housewives on caffeine. Real life is, in fact, stranger than fiction sometimes. They can all rest easy though. I won’t be writing about these situations anytime soon. Changing the names wouldn’t help conceal much at this point.
The local newspaper is a wonderful resource for storylines too. I just keep the clippings for future reference and wonder where these people come up with the stuff. They should use there time wisely. Maybe write a book instead of putting their dirty laundry on display for the world to see. 
And how about the reality shows? From the Bachelors to the Criminals. Wow! My mind is swirling with ideas just thinking about it all.
How about you? Does real life affect your writing? Where do you look for inspiration?
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Someone once said “Fiction mirrors reality; take what is real and twist it to suit your work.”
I know I do that. Personal experiences are the basis for almost everything written. Take something you know well, and put a spin on it.
“Desperate Housewives on caffeine”…:) Make a note of that one…:)
And just what IS going on in your neighborhood?!?!?!?!?
Yeah, I do that too. I will hear something on the TV or radio and think, “that would be a good book.” I also dream weird things that could be a basis for a book.
Ironically, this morning when I woke up, I thought of an idea based on a dream. Nothing I would write – but it would be good. When I woke up, I thought about what if everybody else was dead? – someone had killed them in the night and left me alive just so he could imagine what it would be like for me finding my whole family dead. Then I thought, he could be standing out front waiting for me to come shrieking from the house, just so he could get his jollies. I’d call him the “Mother’s Day killer.”
My mind is a scary place.
Oh my…so that is why you politely smile so much at me! LOL!
I know that no matter what kind of quirky heroine I have in my stories, there is a part of me in her. It brings that connection of her closer to me.
For my heros, it’s harder. But since all my boys are Alpha, if I become stumped by him, the movies are a great place to get dislodged.
Drawing on our own emotional experiences also makes for a strong story.
Great post, Missy!!
I tend to do alot of that twisting and spinning to my storylines.
Sometimes way too much!
It’s quite comical at times around here. Just your average everyday soap opera. I’d tell you all about it, but then I’d have to make sure you didn’t’ talk. LOL
Oh, Amy! What a dream!! You need to take notes. That’s some really good stuff. In a really bad kinda way. LOL You need to try writing thrillers!!
Jenn, Thanks for the laugh this morning!!
I shouldn’t have revealed my secret! Ha!
I agree, the hero’s are harder. For me, it’s tough to know how they deal with emotions. I don’t want them too wimpy. Love those alpha’s too!
But I don’t want them coming across like jerks either. Balance. Man that’s hard!
I can’t do inspiration from newspapers or tv. I’m amazed at how writers can incorporate factual events amid their fiction. Makes my mind twirl.
I’m more of a stare at the carpet for a few minutes until something pops in mind.
I don’t think I could do thrillers – I love to read them; I just don’t think I could weave the plot well enough to keep everyone in suspense. I guess you just start backwards and web out? I think a sadistic pyscho like that would make a chilling adversary though.
Hmmm….maybe I should write suspense.
I love borrowing bits and pieces of people I see around me, but unfortunately I don’t seem to be surrounded by the tough and the glamorous. Most of the people I know are sort of like me, well-intentioned most of the time who get themselves into well-intentioned mishaps — the sort of thing that makes a good story over coffee but not really a blood-chilling suspense thriller! So I don’t try those — although it is fun to overhear conversations and imagine what the participants are REALLY saying . .
Nothing wrong with that, Keri! Staring off into space has worked for me at times. I think it’s cool how everyone has their own way to get that creative spark going.
Amy, I think you need to just sit down and go with it, Girl! I love suspense. Have never ploted a single one I’ve written. The best part is scaring myself! LOL
Beppie, the well-intentioned mishap stories you share over coffee are the best ones to turn into the blood-chilling suspense thrillers. No one is expecting it!
Melissa, I have lots of things from which I get inspiration. However, there is one certain person who inspires me the most with my paranormal series. Other things inspire me as well such as other people in my life whose personalities are similar to the characters in my book. Sometimes I will have weird dreams that will inspire me. Vacations to different places inspire me. Music inspires me, and some movies. I could go on and on!