Stranger Than Fiction: Real-Life Events Into Fiction

by Blog Contributor | May 1, 2024 | Writing Tips | 0 Comments

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Life is a source of countless inspirations, especially for literature. What do authors change and keep when turning real-life events into fiction?

What makes a good story?

Some would say the narrative or how the story is conveyed primarily makes stories entertaining. Others would argue that the characters fundamentally mold how great a story would be. While people have unique preferences, and there’s no right or wrong answer to the question, it all still boils down to the author. After all, the author holds the autonomy to create the story and balance these aspects.

So, the question shouldn’t be what makes a good story. But what makes an author great? The answer is simple: what makes an author good if not the inspiration that fuels them to create?

Where Do Authors Get Their Ideas From?

Some people share the craziest stories, making their listeners think and wonder about what kind of life they’re living. People like these make the best books, reflecting real-life events into fiction stories. With their already astonishing lives, they would only need to embellish their narratives a bit to make them compelling for readers.

People like this exist, and author Chris Cochrane is one of them. With two books under his name, Chris typically finds inspiration to write in his everyday experiences. Finding beauty in life, he picks pieces of this mundanity and turns them into fascinating and gripping fiction. In his books, he has turned real-life events into fiction, making his fantasy adventures something readers can fully invest in and relate to despite them being fictional.

Like Chris Cochrane, most authors also draw inspiration from real-life experiences. Whether they’re living the most exciting or mundane life, it’s literature’s greatest source of inspiration.

Almost half of the most popular books are based on true stories. They’re written and were made famous because they depict the reality of life, resonating with most regardless of who they are or where they’re from. This is the power of basing stories on real life. It can connect everyone, piquing the interest of not just one but most readers. However, regardless of how relatable these books are, they won’t seize attention unless written well.

How Do Authors Turn Real Life Events Into Fiction?

Interesting real-life events happen all the time. Whether directly involving the author or simply something they saw while on a walk, life is the ultimate source of plots. What reality provides can be an excellent foundation for any fictional story. It provides a structure that everyone can understand and one that authors can have ample room to experiment with.

Bank on Reality but Make the Story Fictional

Writing real-life events into fiction makes stories grounded in a universal truth almost anyone can comprehend. While fictional stories don’t bank on facts and truth, it doesn’t hurt to have an authentically human underpinning. This makes them more relatable to readers. The central premise must be easily understandable.

However, authors must also be careful when turning real-life events into fiction. No matter how beneficial it is to craft a story based on reality, its real-life events shouldn’t distract. This can be challenging, especially when shifting the narrative to fiction. Authors must remember that they’re writing a fictional story and welcome any opportunity to experiment with their narratives.

Write It From the Character’s Perspective

When their ideas are based on real-life experiences, authors may expand them by tapping into themselves. How did they feel during the event? What were they thinking? What would be their next steps?

While answering these questions would successfully craft a story, it may not be effective. They should remove themselves and their opinions from the narrative. Instead, they must answer any questions from the perspective of their fictional character. By the time they’re expanding their plot, they should already have a clear profile to know how their character would react and behave.

Authors must separate themselves from their narrative when writing real-life events into fiction.