Mari's Journaling Power Blog

Transforming Everyday Events Into Great Scenes

“Careful, or you’ll end up in my novel.” This line lives on a magnet attached to my refrigerator. People laugh when they see it, and so do I. But to some extent, it’s true. Fictionalizing events from our lives turns everyday interactions into valuable material. Elements of reality lend authenticity and interest to our stories.

When someone irritates me in an infuriating way, I take the behavior and give it to a character. The incident serves the story, increasing tension and fleshing out a personality. As I weave the moment into the book, I change the context a bit, adding slight modifications to make the person unrecognizable.

The encounters we notice and transform don’t have to be negative. If I see or hear something that stays with me long after it occurred, I jot it down. An interesting visual, like a row of foam wig-heads, can help describe a character’s bedroom. A neighbor’s story of how a son comforted his father after a fall could illustrate the deepening bond between two characters. I also take note of quirky details—like a woman who prefers vodka over root beer in ice cream floats, or another who frequents antique shops and exits with her hair full of dust. The things that make those people interesting can make our characters intriguing. These specifics render them authentic, relatable, funny, memorable, and real. 

Incorporating everyday details into our writing isn’t exclusive to what I see in others. I use observations about myself as well. What affinities and experiences of my own can enliven my writing? While sorting through the mail one day, I saw an ad with a boy and his age-progressed image. This inspired the opening scenes of Have You Seen Him, in which David sees his own face in a missing child ad. Gayle, David’s girlfriend, loves pink—she prefers pink flowers, carries a pink purse, and rants about how pink is a suitable color for grown women, not just babies. It’s probably no surprise that pink is my favorite color as well. Including that detail was an opportunity to ground my character in reality and give my personal opinion. 

With writing, we can adapt our observations, frustrations, and memorable moments as source material. These details enrich our characters, plot, and dialogue, making them interesting and distinct. Writers notice things and bring them to the page, molding aspects of reality into a story. Keep your notebook ready. Stay on the lookout. If folks aren’t careful, they might just end up in your novel!

About the Author

Kimberly Lee, JD is the author of the riveting thriller Have You Seen Him. A versatile writer, editor, and creativity coach, she has a passion for nurturing the imaginative spirit and helping others reveal their own inner wisdom. Kimberly is an Amherst Writers & Artists affiliate and serves on its board. She is a certified facilitator of SoulCollage®, Journal to the Self, and Guided Autobiography, as well as a joyful meditation teacher and Groove Method provider. A teaching artist with Hugo House, Women On Writing, The Writing Salon, and Loft Literary, Kimberly has led events at numerous retreats and conferences. Recent collaborations include Esalen Institute, Omega Institute, Arts & Healing Initiative, the Expressive Therapies Summit, and Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. Kimberly’s writing has appeared in a variety of publications and anthologies, and she has served on the staffs of Literary Mama, F(r)iction, and Carve Magazines. Kimberly trusts in the magic and mystery of miracles and synchronicity, and believes everyone is creative and has unique gifts to share. Connect with Kimberly on Instagram @klcreatrix or at KimberlyLee.me.