One of the many things I enjoy about being an author is sharing bits of myself in the stories I write. How do I do this?
One thing I do is use words or phrases specific to my upbringing and experiences. Growing up in Minnesota, we drank pop, not soda. I translated a visiting NY friend's question to a waitress when she asked what flavors of soda they had. I translated by saying, "She means pop."
A phrase I use when discussing going somewhere and inviting someone to join me is "Do you want to come with?" It strikes some as incomplete, but to me, the where should be understood if you were paying attention to the conversation. 😊
Food items my characters prefer are based on my likes and dislikes. Garrett, in the Consequential Love Series, is a huge fan of snickerdoodle cookies. His preference led to a snickerdoodle-flavored groom's cake! He also drank Gin Bucks, a favorite of mine. Sour cream raisin pie and a favorite way to marinade rib-eye steaks show up in my work in progress, Resolved Regrets.
Items in my life are included in my writing. In my short story, True Treasure, a lamp from my childhood is described as a find in an antique store.
Another short story, Race to Adoption, is based on our adoption of our first pup, Bucko. The questions we faced and our answers are in the story. The fear of not getting to take the puppy home was real.
Of course, my career choices are reflected in my stories. My Air Force service prompted characters who are Air Force veterans, Garrett Dane and Jace Sims, in the Consequential Love Series and Playground Antics. My work with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service inspired Restoration. And my contracting work led me to the scenario that spurs action in Playground Antics.
Does this improve my writing? Hard to say. My readers can decide. Personally, it adds to my ownership of my writing and the pride I take in crafting stories. It makes each story part of me and totally mine.