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Write what you know?

When communicating with aspiring writers at conferences, via blogs, Twitter and Facebook one question that keeps coming up is: “I’m told to write what I know, but my day job isn’t interesting, so who would want to read about it?”

What may seem mundane and uninteresting in our real lives can be transformed into compelling characters and a page turning storyline. One can do this by exaggerating what they do know into a bigger than life story.

For example: Let’s say in real life, an office clerk or administrative assistant may feel that what she knows about her career wouldn’t make for a gripping read. However, as a writer if she can take what she knows and assign the clerical job to a lead character and giving it an intriguing twist—as in the clerk in her book is unknowingly working for a crime boss. Imagine the possibilities where the writer could take this character?

How about a librarian who lives alone and really doesn’t have a lot of adventure in her life, and hasn’t really done anything spectacular other than taking a Japanese linguistic night class. This librarian goes to the bank for a routine deposit, and suddenly the bank is held up, and she is a victim of a hostage situation. The bank robbers are speaking Japanese. She can understand what they are saying and what they are planning. Will she let them know she can understand them? Will that help the situation or make it worse? Again, the possibilities are endless.

Are you a hair stylist? How about a hair stylist who has someone come in to her shop for a cut and dye job, and this person is on America’s most wanted or a famous celebrity?

Taking ordinary things in life things that a writer may perceive as being uninteresting can be turned into a wonderful work of fiction. It’s all about taking ordinary characters and putting them in extraordinary situations.

Happy creating and writing!

Stay tuned for my interview with, Kristina McMorris award winning author of LETTERS FROM HOME as she shares her recipe for Sweet Carrot Pie, taken from the collection of 1940s recipes featured in the back of LETTERS FROM HOME and has graciously offered to give away an autographed copy of LETTERS FROM HOME.

Posted in Creative Writing, Fiction Writing, On Writing

7 Comments

Tags: Fiction, writing

Looking for that Special Someone?

Jun 30

Posted by Selena Robins Musings

Only those who possess a wicked sense of humor and a sense of the absurd need apply.

Do you have the following qualifications?

Willing to take field trips (may include stalking) to observe and interview police, hookers, military personnel, farmers, morticians, mobsters, mechanics, Walmart greeters, nuns and prison guards—if you own a pair of night vision goggles even better.

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Posted in Fiction Critique, Writing Life

8 Comments

Tags: books, comedy, critique, editing, partners, recipes, Romance, romance comedy, writers, writing, writing life

Welcome Indie Writer Allen Schatz & A coupon offer for his debut novel

Jun 26

Posted by Selena Robins Musings

COMING JULY 1, 2011…

Game 7: Dead Ball – in PRINT!

Indie Writer Allen Schatz is pleased to announce the launch of the print version of his debut novel!

The eBook version has been rated 4- & 5-stars at Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, and more…

“Allen Schatz, in his first novel, has proven a welcome newcomer to an overcrowded thriller market sadly diluted with average ho-hum fare… I would highly recommend this book to any thriller fan who is tired of the same old mediocre drivel that is plaguing our bookshelves… Schatz has proven he belongs in the writing game…”

“You might expect a mystery involving a baseball umpire in the World Series to center on fixing games. Schatz happily has chosen to go in a less obvious direction… Game 7 has a huge cast of characters – it is to Schatz’s credit as a writer that they’re reasonably easy to keep straight… If you like baseball and thrillers, Game 7: Dead Ball is a must read…”

“Simply put, it’s a fun, entertaining book that I would recommend for anyone’s summer reading list.”

Order your copy of the book beginning July 1 at: https://www.createspace.com/3619727

Additional sales outlets, including Amazon.com, will follow in the coming weeks.

For all the latest news visit www.allenschatz.com – you can also follow Allen on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AllenSchatzWriting or on Twitter (@raschatz).

Click here to read Allen’s Interview, he shares a recipe and gives blog commentators a coupon for his book….

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Posted in Author Interviews