Ways to Improve Mundane Writing Include Using Personal Stories

Face it, writers know they must offer depth to their stories for reader's enjoyment. Writers use many literary devices, such as plot twists, red herrings, character arcs, and so forth, to have their stories resonate with the reader. This article will explore one of the main ways to improve mundane writing.

What makes a story memorable? One of the ways is by relating personal stories and quips. We all have them. These are incidents that happen in everyday life that make life awe-inspiring. In other words, they are tales and brief accounts you tell to friends, family, and strangers alike. When these personal tales are infused into a larger story, the reader will appreciate the gift of the personal touch.

Personal stories can be used in fiction and nonfiction. For instance, you’re writing a nonfiction story about how to train dogs. You list reasons why training is necessary among other topics. In your story, wherever appropriate, you detail a personal account of how your German Shepherd escaped his enclosed yard, went to the neighbor’s house, and bit their poodle. When you received the vet bill for the injury of the neighbor’s dog, it was just shy of $500. Your personal story within the main story, emphasizes the point of your overall message.

These personal stories bring your point into sharp focus by connecting with your reader emotionally. Your reader becomes invested. She may recall a similar incident or realize the importance of the message. Personal stories click in the missing piece of the puzzle in the reader's mind.

Let’s look at some personal story examples that can enhance a main story. These can be serious, funny, or informative, but they must be meaningful:

• The time the rodeo clown unexpectedly found himself on the back of the raging bull.
• The time you went on the job interview and fell asleep. (You had previously taken a pain pill to alleviate a toothache.)
• The time you babysat for three children who told you scary ghost stories. (You were frightened the rest of the night.)
• The time you called the police to report your car stolen only to remember you sold it three days prior.
• The time your cat brought home a live mouse as you slept.

Think of incidents that happened to you or your friends. These make great fodder for inserts into your story. Make sure it relates to your story, though. Enter these tales or quips seamlessly.

Ways to Improve Mundane Writing Include 
Understanding These Personal Story Examples

Stephen King includes personal stories in his book On Writing. This book is part memoir and part instruction on the art of writing. 

King tells one stand-out story of how he was in the woods needing to use the bathroom. He’d asked his 10-year-old, older brother Dave, to take him home. His brother told him to do it in the woods. Reluctant, but seeing no other option, Stephen related the consequences of using the bathroom in the woods:

I’d read King’s On Writing years ago, but I remembered this poignant personal account above the others he wrote about. This is a highlight that provides the reader with an emotional experience. I not only know about King’s instructions on writing, but I can relate to some of his wild and heart-wrenching experiences. He’s more human now, a person who, like me, does dumb stuff.

Find King’s book On Writing on Amazon.

There are many ways to improve mundane writing. In keeping with our look at personal stories and memorable quips or quotes that further enhance a story, let’s look at another example. 

The Silence of the Lambs, based on the book by Thomas Harris, tells of a highly intelligent, but criminal psychiatrist and cannibal, named Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Dr. Lecter has an interesting observation about FBI trainee Clarice Starling, the protagonist who comes to him for help as she hunts another criminal. Dr. Lecter talks to his prison guard, Barney, regarding Clarice:

Lecter’s powerful quote gives the audience pause. The deep roller is an interesting concept, especially as it relates to the protagonist, with whom we deeply care.

We would not have thought of this ourselves, and it makes for a satisfying spin. This is one of the ways to improve mundane writing. 

When crafting stories, the writer will do well to use a variety of literary devices. These include the plot twist, red herring, character arc, and personal story. In this article, we focused on the personal story. Literary devices entertain the reader and provide meaningful information, and involvement, including an impactful emotional experience. These are the criteria for which a writer strives.

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