21
Debating if my aunt's holiday meltdown is a writing prompt or just family drama.
Using real awkward events for stories feels authentic, but is it crossing a line?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
karen_perry382mo ago
Might be mixing up two different things here. Using real life for stories is fine if you change enough details. Like maybe your aunt had red hair and a meltdown over pie. In your story it's a neighbor with brown hair who flips out over a parking spot. That's writing. Just copying the real event word for word and putting names in... that feels icky. You gotta let it cook in your imagination first.
2
ben4472mo ago
Change the meat, not just the seasoning.
8
jenny3912mo ago
Wait, but what if someone still recognizes the story even with changed details? Like if the meltdown is too specific, changing hair color won't help. You gotta change the actual event, not just the description.
3