Writers are always looking for an interesting fact or tidbit to use in our stories, something to pique a reader’s interest or provide a clue about character, theme, or environment. What we may not realize is that this fascinating detail might be hiding inside ourselves. In an article for Writer’s Digest, Kris Spisak says we shouldn’t hesitate to use weird facts about our own lives in our writing.
“Whether your goals are to flesh out your protagonist, to intrigue your reader with little known facts sprinkled organically amidst your storyline, or to capture unique character behaviors and non-cliché plot points, leaning into your secret skillsets is one way to ensure you’re writing a story your readers haven’t read hundreds of times before,” Spisak says.
I’m having a hard time imagining how Excel spreadsheets can be made interesting, but let’s go with it….
“Maybe you’re reading through this and wondering if you don’t have any secret skillsets at all, but I promise you that you do,” Spisak writes. (ed. note – Ok!) “Every one of us is an expert at something, whether we realize it or not. At some point in your life, you’ve likely learned how to do an obscure thing.”
So, how can you use that in your writing?
- Give your knowledge or skill to your protagonist.
- Use your information in your setting or other environmental factors.
- Plant your tidbit as a plot twist.
But how do you know what you know? Is there more to life than Excel spreadsheets?
“When you were 10 years old, what about the world fascinated you? Go back in time to that passion and seize upon its unique glory to personalize and differentiate the project you’re working on,” Spisak suggests. “Playing with secret skillsets is an easy way to fall back in love with a past passion and a tired manuscript.”
