Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

In my former life, I once held an open house at the wrong house. I had written down the wrong address, and then when I got there, wondered why the key didn’t work. But I’m prone to seeing things through rose-colored glasses. People whisper “there must be a pony in there somewhere,” when I walk by. I fully admit and embrace it.

It didn’t occur to me I was actually in someone’s house and they had no intention of selling. I cleaned up the kitchen, washed dishes, opened windows, made the beds. Worked my buns off for about 20 minutes before I set out my signs. I had maybe three people through, and I thought it was just a bad day, because I was new.

Except the agent and the seller I was supposed to be helping out were both a little angry at me. Well, this became my inspiration for a contemporary story I am writing now (except no one likes my characters yet, but I’ll not give up…) called the Accidental SEAL. I drew on another true event that happened, showing a house to a nice young minister and his wife and finding someone asleep on the bed in the master stark naked with a boner. (Can we say that?) So then, why not have the Realtor do the open house at the wrong house, and find this hunky guy having a wet dream with his headphones on? And now let’s make him a…..

Navy Seal, who has been trained to detain

the enemy and question them. He is on a secret

mission to find his awol bud.

Well, you should hear the judges comments. (Oh yes, and one editor who didn’t like my characters one bit.) I mean if a naked guy tied you up with your own pantyhose and rummaged through your Coach bag ripping out the lining looking for some sort of contraband, wouldn’t you dislike him too? I thought it was hooky for a beginning. So far, the powers that be don’t.

The comment I loved the best was, “Any Realtor worth their salt would immediately know this was the wrong house.” Point well taken. I admit I should have. But I didn’t do the prudent thing. I did the ridiculous thing, fueled by my own ego at the time.

But that’s what makes a great story, the blending of some pretty insane ideas, right? We ask ourselves, “what if…” and then let our minds wander. Paranormal romance is fun just to see what new creatures they come up with. Who knew dragons could have a sweet side? Giant squids have a lust for human flesh? And vampires go camping? Now what ghost stories do they tell around the campfire at night? Do they roast marshmallows? Do their s’mores bleed?

In romance, the two lovers get together and there’s a happily ever after. In suspense, the mystery is solved. In horror, the beast is killed or goes on in secret to ruin another day.

There’s a bit of true life in all my stories. I’ll bet most writers feel the same way.

What about you? Have you ever written a story inspired by something that really happened? As a writer, what inspires you to write a good story? As a reader, what inspires you when you read one?