EDGE OF REALITY - FIRST FRIDAY
Welcome to Edge of Reality, my monthly feature examining current events through a writer's lens. Here you'll discover how real-world stories can inform and enhance your fiction. Whether you're mining life for story ideas or deepening your narrative, Edge of Reality helps you transform truth into compelling fiction.
Today, let’s discover how local stories can spark our novels while maintaining respect for real events and people.
TRANSFORMING NEWS INTO NARRATIVE
Consider this recent local headline: “Community Rallies Around Family After Storm Destroys Historic Farm”
A news story tells us what happened. But as novelists, we ask:
- What led to this moment?
- How do people react under sudden pressure?
- What happens after the cameras leave?
- Which conflicts emerge from crisis?
FROM FACT TO FICTION:
News Element: “Historic farm, four generations” Story Potential:
- Family legacy tensions
- Modern versus traditional values
- Preservation versus progress
- Hidden family secrets
News Element: “Community rallies” Story Potential:
- Unexpected alliances
- Past conflicts resolved
- New conflicts emerge
- Individual versus community needs
WRITING EXERCISE: Choose a local news story and:
- List the factual elements
- Identify emotional touchpoints
- Explore “what if” scenarios
- Create fictional characters inspired by (not copied from) real situations
Remember: We’re not reporting news—we’re exploring human nature through story.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
- Maintain a respectful distance from real events
- Change significant details
- Focus on universal themes
- Consider timing and sensitivity
Join me next month when we’ll explore another local story through a novelist’s lens. Meanwhile, try the exercise with your local news. What stories are waiting to be discovered?
“No story lives unless someone wants to listen.”
- J.K. Rowling
Remember: Every great story begins with someone paying attention.
Note: If this is your first appointment, you do not have to pay. I offer a FREE—initial consultation.
The Pencil Driven Life 