“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.
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
OF
Have You Seen Him
Tour Begins August 18
Book Summary
For David Byrdsong, life is a series of daily obligations. An attorney, he lacks both ambition and the ability to commit to a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Gayle. Abandoned by his family at an airport when he was eleven, he learned to blunt his feelings, despite his subsequent adoption by a loving couple.
Until one day, when David discovers his own face in a missing child ad. Suddenly driven to uncover the truth about his past, he is forced to tap into his inner strength as he encounters corporate conspiracies, murdered bystanders, and distressing suspicions about the only family he’s ever really trusted. David enlists Gayle's help—and the help of an unlikely stranger with secrets of his own—as he attempts to find his true family, whoever they are.
Thrilling, exploratory, and propulsive, Have You Seen Him is a story of lost identity, dangerous secrets, and a deeply personal pursuit of the truth.
PUBLISHER: Butterfly Effect Press
ASIN: B0F9TJYN8V
ISBN-13 979-8991867207
Print Length: 268 pages
Purchase Links:
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/have-you-seen-him-kimberly-lee/22713495
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/have-you-seen-him-kimberly-lee/1147495825
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Have-You-Seen-Him-Kimberly/dp/B0FB88YBBF/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234889217-have-you-seen-him
Blog Tour Calendar
August 18 @ WOW! Women on Writing
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Kimberly Lee's thriller and suspense novel Have You Seen Him. Read an interview with the author and a chance to win a copy of the book yourself.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
August 18 @ Just Katherine
Visit Katherine's blog for a review of Kimberly Lee's thriller Have You Seen Him.
https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
August 20 @ One Writer's Journey
Visit Sue's blog for a review of Kimberly Lee's thriller Have You Seen Him.
August 21 @ What Is That Book About
Visit Michelle's blog for a spotlight of Kimberly Lee's thriller Have You Seen Him.
https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
August 23 @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog for her review of Kimberly Lee's thriller Have You Seen Him.
https://worldofmyimagination.com/my-blog/
August 25 @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie's blog for a guest post by Kimberly Lee on her journey from attorney to writer and how she leans on that experience for her writing.
August 27 @ One Writer's Journey
Visit Sue's blog for her response to our tour-themed prompt on what comforts her and gives her a sense of community and connection.
August 28 @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy's blog for her review of Kimberly Lee's newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
August 29 @ Writer Advice
Visit Lynn's blog for a guest post by Kimberly Lee on inspiring words from other authors.
https://writeradvice.com/category/writing-advice/
August 31 @ Words from the Heart
Join Linda's blog for a guest post by Kimberly Lee on her research for the novel Have You Seen Him.
https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/
August 31 @ Live, Love and Laugh for a Healthy Lifestyle
Visit Nicole's blog for her review of Kimberly Lee's newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://liveloveandlaughforahealthylifestyle.wordpress.com/
September 2 @ Live, Love and Laugh for a Healthy Lifestyle
Stop by Nicole's blog again for her response to our tour-themed prompt on what she dreams of doing and small steps she is taking towards it.
https://liveloveandlaughforahealthylifestyle.wordpress.com/
September 3 @ Create Write Now
Visit Mari's blog for a blog post by Kimberly Lee on transforming everyday events and interactions into great scenes.
https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog
September 4 @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi's blog for her review of Kimberly Lee's newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
September 5 @ Words from the Heart
Visit Linda's blog for her review of Kimberly Lee's newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/
September 6 @ A Sip, A Shout, and a Sentence
Join Celyse's Substack for her review of Kimberly Lee's newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://celysewrite.substack.com/
September 7 @ StoreyBook Reviews
Visit Leslie's blog for her spotlight of Kimberly Lee's newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://storeybookreviews.com/
September 9 @ A Wonderful World of Words
Visit Joy's blog for a guest post by Kimberly Lee about writing with images.
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
September 11 @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy's blog for her response to our tour-themed writing prompt on following her intuition.
https://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
September 12 @ Sarandipity's Blog
Visit Sara's blog for her interview with Kimberly Lee about her newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://sarandipitys.com/blog/
\
September 13 @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Join Lisa for an interview with Kimberly Lee about her newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
September 15 @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdre's blog for her spotlight of Kimberly Lee's newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
September 16 @ Kaecey McCormick's blog
Visit Kaecey's blog for her review of Kimberly Lee's newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog
September 17 @ Boys' Mom Reads
Visit Karen's blog for her review of Kimberly Lee's newest thriller, Have You Seen Him.
https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/
September 18 @ Words by Webb
Stop by Jodi's blog again for an interview with author Kimberly Lee.
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
September 18 @ The Frugalista Mom
Visit Rochie's blog for her response to our prompt about what she dreams of doing and small steps Ishe can take towards it.
September 20 @ Just Katherine
Visit Katherine's blog for her response to our tour-themed prompt on what comforts her and gives her a sense of community and connection.
https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
September 20 @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog for a guest post by Kimberly Lee on her book's journey from idea to publication.
https://www.madelinesharples.com/
September 21 @ Kaecey McCormick's blog
Don't miss Kaecey's blog stop for an interview with Kimberly Lee.
https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog
September 25 @ Caitrin King's blog
Visit Caitrin's blog for her review of Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee.
Leave Comment