They say you should write what you know, but my day job isn’t interesting, so who would want to read about it?

I have heard this statement many times, at conferences, on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and speaking with aspiring writers and even readers who want to dip their toe in the writing world.



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 whose 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!



About Selena Robins

Witty, humorous, suspenseful, sexy--words used to describe Selena’s writing style. A chocolate guru, in love with her husband, family, friends, books & red wine, she dances with her dog, sings into her hairbrush & writes in her PJ's.



Selena is the author of the contemporary romance, What A Girl Wants, paranormal romantic comedy, Sabrina's Destiny, Romantic Comedy, Short Story, Tempted by an Angel, and a children's novella, Pippy's Wish.



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