Lisa Plumley

People often ask me if my books are based on real people or real events in my life.

On the surface, the answer to that question is a no-brainer. By which I mean: No! Are you kidding me? I write to escape!

Not really. Actually, the plain fact is, most people/daily events are just too…well, boring to make interesting fiction. (No offense, friends and family. You are awesome of course.) Most people go to work every day, go out at night, visit friends on the weekends, practice recreational square dancing in their spare time…you know, the typical stuff. There’s not a lot of drama involved. Not for me and (I’m just guessing here) not for you. Not unless you decide to act on your threat to “get even” with that annoying woman three cubicles down from you who keeps stealing your Diet Cokes from the office fridge. And even then your personal vendetta probably only matters to you, your parole officer, and Ms. Klepto Pants herself.

On the other hand, real life does inform a writer’s fictional world. How can it not? We’re imaginative, sensitive, easily influenced folks. For instance, we often concoct elaborate scenarios in which we deliver the perfect stinging comeback to that snooty waiter from lunch. Or we get lost in flights of fancy (and order the wrong coffee at Starbucks–I hate you, accidental decaf Americano!) after an overheard snippet of conversation sparks a new story idea. Or we walk around sporting togas after viewing an especially good episode of Rome. Just for instance.

No seriously. What I encounter/learn about/fear often makes its way into my books. That’s the truth. That’s why I’m always writing about super studly, ultra successful men. They’re all around me! Adoring me! I can barely swivel my office chair! (Abrupt movement startles the hunks into dropping their peppermint foot-massage lotion.)

No. Even more seriously (for real), that life-bleeds-into-fiction effect is why my heroines are often unsure of themselves, feel like a fish out of water, or make jokes to get through a tough situation. They’re a lot like me, in big and small ways. Some of them share my obsession with cute handbags. Some of them are determined to blaze their own path. Some of them even learn to love football. (Go Eagles! Go Seahawks! Why oh why do I always seem to root for the underdogs?) All of my characters grow and change over the course of a book…exactly like me. Which is, for better or worse, one of my very favorite things about the writing life.

Till later,
Lisa