I follow several groups/pages on Facebook that support indie writers. When they’re not doing cover reveals, teasers or giveaways, many of their posts consist of cute reading-related sayings in picture format. Often I’ll simply “LIKE” them, occasionally comment or at the very least chuckle and move on. But, this one made me stop, shake my head and come over here to write.

At first glance, this seemed okay (we’ll skip over that little error of “that yours” instead of “than yours” – seriously, just gloss right over that…I know it’s hard but we’ll do it together).

Here’s what’s good about the quote:

• “I love books.” Duh, I’m a writer. Kind of a given.
• “I like the moment you open one and sink into it you can escape from the world.” The idea of slipping into different worlds and experiencing events through another’s eyes is wonderful. Whether those events are real world, supernatural, dystopian, utopian, or science fiction, I love reading about them. And sometimes our own lives are a bit overwhelming and it’s nice to escape that.

This is where I got frustrated:

a story that’s way more interesting than yours will ever be

Really? Who says my story isn’t interesting?! And maybe if we weren’t just reading all the time, we’d be finding ways to experience, nay create!, a more interesting life. *audible sigh*

I can honestly say at 40 that I’ve had some pretty crazy adventures in my life. No, I haven’t traveled the world or met a celebrity. I haven’t been rescued by a hot fireman or learned how to ride a broom. I can’t say I’ve murdered anyone or had someone try to murder me (that I know of). But, I do have stories of my own to tell – and they’re interesting, they’re funny, they’re scary and most importantly, they’re mine.

Many times I work my stories into my fictional novels. I’m told that’s actually what makes them interesting, especially to people who truly know me – they aren’t sure where the reality ends and the fiction begins! Because my novels have a sense of realism to them, they’re relatable and enjoyable. If I hadn’t lived at some point I couldn’t write now. Yes, I have an overactive imagination but that can only take my writing so far – I’ve had to interact with the world, with people, done things, and even made mistakes to create my story. And we ALL should have a story!

So, yes, enjoy that book. Love it even! But if you think a work of fiction is a “more interesting story than yours will ever be”

…you’re doing life wrong!

And if that’s the case, put the book down and go do something worthy of telling in a story! It’s time to be interesting!

XO – T.