So often I hear people say, "No one would be interested in hearing about my life." My response to that is all lives have value--if you tell the story well, people will listen. Don't think in terms of how boring you might find your own life in comparison to the lives of others, but instead start by remembering some of the things in your life that were important, interesting, or funny to you. There is value in your life story.
You might think of it in terms of sprucing up a house that you're getting ready to sell. A touch of paint here, fixing a hole in the wall there, and generally just cleaning up the property can start making a tired old house a bit more valuable looking to those who come by to take a look. Curb appeal is the term used as a means of creating a better first impression of the house you want to put on the market.
Think of your "tired boring life" as just needing a shot of curb appeal to make the story more attractive. Add spice to the stories being told and dress them up with interesting language. As you start writing, put in healthy dashes of love and fun that will pep up your life story and make it more interesting. There's always some other angle you can add to a lifeless seeming story to make it the life of the party.
We have all been valuable in some ways to those in our lives and we have our function in this society. Turn that story that no one would be interested in hearing into a tale that will leave readers wanting more. Think it can't be done? Well think differently. Build the mindset that you have a story worth telling and add value to your story. We all have stories with value.
Do you think you've lived a boring life? Are you ever curious about neighbors or other people you know? Have you ever told a story about yourself that others found funny or interesting?
take 2: not sure the first try went through.
ReplyDeleteI've just recently started letting little blurbs of my story out on my blog. I've always been more interested in other's stories than my own. However, I'm beginning to see how my story is just as interesting.
A decent writer can make even the most mundane story interesting with the right approach. Keep at it!
DeleteLee
Oh I know I've lived an interesting life....interesting to me though. Sometimes I think my husband is a little intimidated by everything I've done and seen....he never left our hometown. In fact, he was 49 before he even moved out of our hometown and in with me to the town next door.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, I've known a few people like your husband, some who still live in or very near the house they grew up in. These days it's easier to travel so I think most people have at least taken an out-of-town vacation or two.
DeleteLee
The thing we sometimes forget is to leave out the pedestrian parts that people won't find interesting, but everyman has his story and each has value.
ReplyDeleteJoy, we do need to be selective about what we use in a story though sometimes those "pedestrian parts" can be made somewhat interesting or at least help set up a story that's to come. I always like thrillers and adventure stories that start out very peaceful and average. It's a good contrast between the normal mundane existence and the excitement to come.
DeleteLee
This is new? Very interesting. I always thought your life story would be interesting!
ReplyDeleteJudy, good to see you here. Seems like you've been away from blogging for a while. I think everybody's life story has some level of interest. Especially to nosy people like me!
DeleteLee
This is a great post Lee! Very very encouraging. And you're so right: we each have value to share. I like your analogy of curb appeal and sprucing up an old tired house. Really nice. I especially like the message. It hit home...because so many of us end up saying "Ah, who cares about my life story?" Thanks for sparking the courage!
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
Thank you, Michele. It's always nice to get such an encouraging comment. I do hear so many people claiming that their life is not interesting enough to tell about. Anyone who thinks of oneself as a writer should never use an excuse like that!
DeleteLee
Love this post! I think I live a boring life but so many things happen that I can put in a story. I agree, everyone has an interesting story!
ReplyDeleteLisa, what's boring to you only seems that way because you're living it along with all the other everyday stuff. I think people are interested in reading about others especially if the writing is well done.
DeleteLee
Everyone's story has some really interesting events, it's true. How many times have things happened and someone has said, "If this happened in a novel (or a movie), no one would believe it."
ReplyDeleteEva, that is so true. Crazy events pass by us on a daily basis and every once in a while we should grab hold of one and turn it into a story.
DeleteLee