How to Write Realistic Fiction

[Meena]

Hey guys...I'm trying to write something in the realistic fiction genre, but I feel like everything in my life that I know about will either seem boring in a story, or it will be too juvenile. And advice?

[H :), "Writing is a struggle against silence."]

I don't know, I guess I feel the same way :) which is why I tend to write fantasy. I guess you just have to chose something interesting to write about for realistic fiction, to give the story a plot. I know people say to write what you know and all, but my life seems boring hen I read other realistic fiction :P But John Green didn't have cancer, and he wrote TFIOS. I'm not sure, I guess you just have to chose something you know enough about, it doesn't have to have happened to you :) Sorry, I don't think that helped much by I'm honestly not sure...

[Meena]

Thanks, that did help to know others have the same problem. I guess I'm just scared that I won't be doing justice to an experience, because I haven't really gone through it. Maybe I'll write about spending a year in India...

[Gayathri]

That would be really cool!! :) I would totally buy your book! This sounds kind of stupid, but are you going to kind of twist the story of spending a year in India so it's not just like facts? And are you going to write from a new perspective?

[Meena]

Yeah I guess so. I mean, it's not going to be like the real thing, I'm thinking it will be fiction, or at least in a story format. I guess that feels like the only book-worthy thing in my life (not that I don't like my life; my life is awesome, but I can't imagine events from my life in a book). If I tell the story from the perspective of a fourth grader, would it be too young for people of our age?

[Gayathri]

I guess. BTW: Your life is awesome cuz you have me jkjk
Yah. Whatever you do, it will be AMAZING!! I believe in you...*insert inspirational quote here*

[Meena]

Nice. Thanks for the encouragement!

[Gayathri]

Hehehehee

[Gayathri]

I honestly don't even know what that was

[Meena]

Maube it was laughter....in a weird way :)

[Mackenzie]

Man, I have this problem a lot. I always start out trying to write realistic fiction, but it ends up fantasy. I feel like I'm the only one with that issue. Maybe?

[Meena]

Yeah you're not alone; I started this discussion because I often have the same problem.

[Gayathri]

I have the same problem. Whenever I try to write realistic fiction, it always is too boring or too unreal. how do you find a way to write realistically without making it an autobiography or a fantasy?

[Meena]

I guess maybe you can take an event in your life and imagine what would happen if something happened differently...just a thought.

[alessia]

Maybe you could try imagining "what would I do if this happened" and "what would he/she do if this happened". And when you thing of what the "this" is, also think if that could actually happen in real life. Like an alien attack, not so. But a meteor crashing, maybe.

And while you decide what you would do when "this happens", try to make it as relatable as possible. So people will understand and think like, "oh yeah, that's what I would do", and it wouldn't feel as if the story is too fantasy like. Do the same for the side characters, too.

[Meena]

Good idea! I will try that.

[Gayathri]

Thank you!