Comments on: Using Real Life in Fiction: 5 Must-Do's (and Two Mistakes) https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/ A Blog On Writing Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:39:59 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.3 By: denise https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178945 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:39:59 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178945 great ideas.

]]> By: Jenny Hansen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178923 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 01:35:06 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178923 In reply to Richard.

Hahahaha!

]]> By: Marilyn https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178920 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 20:13:27 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178920 I observe peopleโ€™s behavior everywhere I travel. My characters are composites of my family members. We have a great example of the narcissist personality gracing the pages of every social media site and news outlet. Lots of material there. I am never wondering about what I should write about, next. The headlines are all I need.

]]> By: Richard https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178911 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:03:52 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178911 In reply to Sally M. Chetwynd.

You're absolutely right, Sally! Real life is in desperate need of a good line edit. It also has a terrible habit of repeating itself. ๐Ÿ˜„

]]> By: Richard https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178910 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:58:39 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178910 In reply to Carol Baldwin.

Thank you, Carol! ๐Ÿ˜Š Knowing it's worth saving is one of the nicest compliments an article can receive.

]]> By: Richard https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178909 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:56:56 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178909 In reply to Ann.

Hi Ann! Thank you so much! And you're absolutely rightโ€”real life is endlessly inventive. The irony is that writers often have to tone reality down because readers wouldn't believe half the things that actually happen! Thank you for continuing to read my books. That means a great deal to me.

]]> By: Richard https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178908 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:54:56 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178908 In reply to Chris Nelson.

You're hilarious, Chris. ๐Ÿ˜‚ Just don't be surprised if his next question is, "Are you a novelist?" At which point the evening may take an unexpected turn. Ha!

]]> By: Richard https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178907 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:52:21 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178907 In reply to Joy Hall.

Thank you so much, Joy! I'm delighted you enjoyed it. If it saves even one writer from copying Uncle Bob into a novel verbatim, I'll consider the article a success. ๐Ÿ˜„

]]> By: Richard https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178906 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:50:10 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178906 In reply to Dennis Lee Anderson.

Hi Dennis. Thank you for the observation! Writers have been quietly borrowing from real life for centuries. We just prefer not to leave fingerprints. ๐Ÿ˜‰

]]> By: Richard https://writersinthestormblog.com/2026/07/using-real-life-in-fiction-5-must-dos-and-two-mistakes/#comment-178905 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:47:16 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=57262#comment-178905 In reply to Matthew.

Thanks for the comment, Matthew.

And I rather suspect that eye color rarely gets anyone murdered. Desire certainly does. ๐Ÿ˜„

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