The truth is stranger than fiction

artemis31386 · Jun 29, 2010

Here in the States, this has been big news:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/spy-talk/2010/06/accused_russian_spy_is_an_inte.html

Needless to say, its like something straight out of a spy novel.

Anyone else ever find things in real life that resemble a novel?

ToddWBush · Jun 29, 2010

artemis31386 said:
Anyone else ever find things in real life that resemble a novel?

Artemis, I have been remiss in welcoming you to M/T/S! Great link and great topic!

Where do you think most novelists get the ideas for their stories? Best place for a M/T/S writer to research? Newspaper or local news broadcast.

artemis31386 · Jun 29, 2010

Thanks for the welcome. I've never written in M/T/S (UF writer mostly) so I never really thought about the news being a good source of inspiration (since I typically write about things going bump in the night). Needless to say, this inspired something so I'm taking my first stab at a thriller.

Exile87 · Jun 29, 2010

Woot woot!

Yeah, this story has got me all worked up! I find stuff like this absolutely fascinating. I've already featured Russian assassins in my latest novel, but I really must get some spies mixed up in the sequel!

heyjude · Jun 30, 2010

Great story, artemis!

Yeah, I get a lot of my material from the news. Also, I know of one real life story that very few other people know but I am sworn to secrecy.

It is made of teh awesome and someday I'll use it in a book. I'll have to tone it down to make it believable.

Oh, and my dh has some fascinating stories about this guy. He's a wealthy recluse, and very few people know what a bizarre life he leads. I wrote a book based on his life (totally fictionalized but using a lot of real stories), but again, had to tone some of it down to keep it believable.

Namatu · Jul 2, 2010

jude, I am most curious, and jealous. Tease!

I love espionage.

Exile87 · Jul 2, 2010

You've got my curiosity going wild now, jude!!!
"Tone it down to make it believable".....love it!!!

Thank god my WIP takes place in the future, post-WWIII, otherwise it would SO not be believable!

heyjude · Jul 3, 2010

If the book about the guy ever makes it, I'll give you guys a wink and a nudge.

Namatu · Jul 3, 2010

Please do!

The truth is stranger than fiction

artemis31386

All around miscreant

ToddWBush

artemis31386

All around miscreant

Exile87

New kid, be gentle!

heyjude

Making my own sunshine

Namatu

Lost in mental space.