Welcome to 40 Days of 3 Questions!
For the next few weeks, meet here every morning with a notebook or document to answer three questions about writing, about your status quo as a writer, or about the writing life. You can answer briefly and go about your day, or you can use this as a warm up exercise before your regular writing schedule. Whatever works for you, works for me.
Day 8 Questions
- In your current project, is any part based on facts–a real person, crime, event?
- Do you stick to the facts or bend them?
- Does using a real person/crime/event constrain your writing or help to shape it?
You my post answers in comments or keep your thoughts private–your choice!
And here is today’s pretty picture:
Ramona DeFelice Long 
Thank you to everyone who has been posting answers. To people working privately, carry on!
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My stories are often “inspired” by rather than “based” on real events, which means I do play fast and loose with the facts of the case. Because of that, the real crime or person helps shape my writing rather than constraining it. (And I’m answering with regards to my writing as a whole since I’m still trying to figure out what my next WIP is going to be about!)
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Though my novel is a retelling of a classic story, it is mostly based on the relationship between my daughter and me. I try my best to stick to the feelings I had during a particular time in our life rather than a specific event. Using those feelings and putting them into words has been extremely hard, but I think it is the most important part of my story.
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You’re brave. I’d never attempt to write about my relationship with my daughters or son. I have bits in my memoir, but they’re there to orient the reader. Go for it!
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1.) In your current project, is any part based on facts–a real person, crime, event? I’ve taken current events as inspiration for theme and lines of inquiry.
2.) Do you stick to the facts or bend them? I bend them beyond all recognition.
3.) Does using a real person/crime/event constrain your writing or help to shape it? It inspires me.
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In your current project, is any part based on facts–a real person, crime, event? Yes and always. A real neighborhood and what is (and was) going on to affect life there. Not specific real events though. ( I am married to a publishing lawyer – lots to say about not using real stories)
Do you stick to the facts or bend them? Stick to the facts about physical place and find the story in the spaces where there are no facts.
Does using a real person/crime/event constrain your writing or help to shape it? It’s inspiration but the story I write is made up…in a somewhat realistic setting.
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In your current project, is any part based on facts–a real person, crime, event? Yes.
Do you stick to the facts or bend them? Bend them, it’s fiction.
Does using a real person/crime/event constrain your writing or help to shape it? Constrains, only if it’s nonfiction. The chapters in my memoir where the families wanted me to “keep it real” were annoyingly hard. It’s like asking three siblings how they recall the same event; three different answers.
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In your current project, is any part based on facts–a real person, crime, event? All of my writing is set in real locations (Buffalo, NY and Fayette County, PA). So far, I’ve only used “inspired by” real events. For example, there really was a Bell Airplane factory in Buffalo in WWII (my paternal grandmother worked there) and the German-American Bund was really active in the area. But there was never any sabotage and at the time my story takes place, the Bund was on the way out – there was no attempt to revive them.
Do you stick to the facts or bend them? See above. I bend them quite frequently. I also make up any location where something “bad” happens and any addresses (to avoid bad publicity for real businesses).
Does using a real person/crime/event constrain your writing or help to shape it? Both, I think. Obviously, I don’t have the freedom to simply make stuff up that would sometimes come in handy to solve a problem. On the other hand, I have a rich world framework to shape the story, where I can then exercise my creativity.
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Real people and events inspire me and help to advance the plot in ways I didn’t imagine until after I added a known person. Now realize, ‘known’ and famous are not the same. For example, I’m toying with writing a “Railroad Bill” character into my plot. Will he be the murderer? Maybe, maybe not (no spoiler here) but he is an interesting character who could add some interesting twists. That, I hope, keeps my writing fresh and unique.
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***In your current project, is any part based on facts–a real person, crime, event?
When I write fiction, the plot and the character are my creations. But, of course, they’re shaped by my; by everything I’ve ever done, read, heard, seen, smelled, touched, and tasted. I sometimes use a first of last name of a real person (never both). They can people I dislike (then they’re bad people) or people I like (then they’re good people). But I’ll never tell!
***Do you stick to the facts or bend them?
I stick to what is possible in the real world, as much as I possibly can. I educated myself on weapons including firearms and poisons, the real setting if I’m using one, the sunset and sunrise times for the dates I’m using, physical constraints, and things like that. Maybe I shouldn’t have answered this question, since I don’t use actual occurrences as a basis for my plot points. Everything that comes out of the primordial ooze of my writer’s brain is made of whatever went in, all slopped together.
***Does using a real person/crime/event constrain your writing or help to shape it?
I’ll amend the above answer. My granddaughter has begged me for years to put her into a book, so she’ll be in this one. Don’t tell her yet! I want to surprise her. The person has her first name and looks and abilities. She’s a very good person!
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1 – In your current project, is any part based on facts–a real person, crime, event?
Most of the time, yes. (Especially memoir : – ) However, even in fiction, most characters are based on real people.
2 – Do you stick to the facts or bend them?
In memoir, I stick with the facts, Maam. In fiction, they get bent a lot.
3 – Does using a real person/crime/event constrain your writing or help to shape it?
Helps a lot. Even if the person evolves from a song or picture.
More great questions, Ramona. Thank you.
Peace, Love, and Rock ‘n’ Roll!!!
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1. In your current project, is any part based on facts–a real person, crime, event? Yes, in that these events occur but there was not one specifically with the facts I’ve created for this story.
2. Do you stick to the facts or bend them? I make some my own.
3. Does using a real person/crime/event constrain your writing or help to shape it? I’m just starting this, but I think it will help shape my story.
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Based on fact? Yes, an incident my uncle was involved in.
Bent the facts? Yes. The incident was to have provided the final scene, but as I wrote, I realized that ending would fall flatter than flat. So I’ve bent the facts so far I hardly recognize them now.
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Forgot #3. My imagination is tied to my experience and the experiences of others I’ve been told about. My stories occur in small town/rural settings, and cows, horses, and rivers seem to be required. Old people I knew when I was a child show up, as do members of the family. That’s what I have, so that’s what I use.
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