Turning Life into Fiction: Drawing Inspiration from Daily Life

When it comes to writing people assume that inspiration or rather muse visits only a few select under specific circumstances. This though somewhat true is a myth, one often we writers insinuate. However, here's a little-known titbit that we seldom share.

Our muse often is not an exotic enchantress but a simple maiden. In other words, it's you, those around you and the situations you find yourself in that transform into a muse. 

My friends and family are aware that my laptop wallpaper is forever set this quote: 

"I'm a writer. Anything you say or do may be used in a story."

And it's pretty self-explanatory too. Often times I have found my characters and their quirks, and a setting in my daily life. 

Let me give an example, I know someone who turns their head to the left every time they have a little joke or comment within themselves. Naturally, this little, seemingly invisible habit of theirs became the quirk of Animeesh, from my book, The Ocular Secrets. 

So how does this work? The key here is observation.

It is necessary to understand that everything around you has the potential of a story in them; they can add colours and life to your story. Once you understand this, start paying attention. Notice how someone speaks, how they sit, what they do with their hands when they are walking, and what shape the shadow on the flower pot creates. And then when something piques your interest jot it down. 

Observation shouldn't just be limited to living things. Extend your field to the settings, and to the situations you are in. Take in the architecture of the place, its design and decor, no you do not need to know what that little window about the big one is called. But notice it, notice how light filters through it, what sounds you hear, the crowd around you, everything! All of these things give depth and add texture to your work. 

Here's another example:

Raj stood at the platform nervous as he watched the people around. 

Or

Raj stood at the platform curling and uncurling his fingers into a fist. Every now and then, a rushing passenger could bump into him. The cries of hawkers and porters were timely punctuated by the announcements. None, however, were loud enough to drown the beating of his heart. 

The actions, the motions and the sounds help to create a deeper, realistic picture. It's again the mantra: Show, don't tell. 

One way to practice describing settings is to start with the places you are familiar like the back of your hand. And then proceed to observe new places.

Emotions are another thing that helps connect your story with the readers. How do you react physically when angry? How does it feel when someone is lying to you? Answering these questions is a way of noticing and observing how emotions play out in real life. Of course, each person reacts differently. But having a basic idea of what you would do in a situation puts you in a good place to guide your characters. 

Now that your observations are ready and the muscle is well developed it's time to use them in your writing. But a word of caution here. 

1. Do not force your observations into a narrative where they don't fit.

2. Consider the situation in the narrative where you are embedding the observation. If it's tense, keep your observations brief. Ensure that it flows smoothly with the rest of the narrative. 

3. Maintain balance with the real and the fiction, your imagination and observation. 

4. Observe everything, remember everything, and use selectively. Employ creative liberty when needed but keep away from exaggeration. 

Now keeping all of these in mind let's look at two more examples:

The Dark Side of Wishing, the story takes place in a location that is surrounded by trees and has a series of leading down. The real-life place that influenced this setting is Keshavraj, Dapoli. The feelings of quiet and the charged vibe of the place experienced by the character are similar to the ones I have experienced on numerous occasions there. 

Another example is The Village, the Ferry and the Skeleton. When out with a friend we did come across a skeleton in a washroom. The setting described here is just as I say it, but the part of the story after it is entirely a product of my imagination. 

And thus, in embracing the every day as our muse, we uncover an inexhaustible wellspring of inspiration, weaving the tapestry of our stories with threads spun from the fabric of our lives.