Topic 3 Putting Life Experiences to use

Greetings.
In the past month, I've explained how a writer can discover excellent dialogue exchanges for future writings by simply listening to conversations around him. I've also shared how you can glean supplemental writing material through means of mass communication: newspaper, magazines, TV, and radio. Today, I'm going to discuss Life Experiences--Part One--Jobs.

A deceased writer friend of mine, Winston Borden, wrote in his book Ruminations,
      "Today, grab some flowers from your garden...and make your own arrangement."
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Life experiences are the flowers in your garden. so don't be afraid to arrange them in your writings. Chisel away at your life, you might find gold.

I graduated with a degree in education. But when I searched for work in my field I couldn't find anything in the area I lived. So, I took two  part-time jobs. I was a Key Punch operator at night for a huge bank and a teacher's assistant during the day. Then I babysat on and off. As the years rolled along, I substitute taught, took 2 different bank jobs, worked for Kelly Services, did security work for a big department store, went back to college for an A.A.S. degree, helped my husband in our optical store, served as an assistant manager at an apartment complex, taught at a history lab, took on many volunteer jobs, and even worked in the corporate office of a newspaper company. Oh, did I mention I raised two children?

I didn't start writing my first novel until I was fifty, Yes, fifty. But think of all the things in my garden I could use since childhood.  In my first three novels with PI Matt Malone, I reference Matt's Air Force days (my spouses background). But I also mention Saint Cloud State University and Matt's marketing background. I attended said college and have a degree in marketing.

In my second novel North Dakota Neighbor, the mystery revolves around a school being built in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, The story requires my teaching and history lab instructor experience and interest in antiques.

The third novel, Mayhem With A Capital M, Matt Malone's involved with two cases. One has to do with a coffee company and the other with a painting. It draws on my religious beliefs, love of Spanish decor, art minor degree, and a broken ankle,

My new Mary Malone series, Death at the Bar X Ranch revolves around an unemployed teacher who takes a job intended for her brother. In between she substitute teaches and takes on a part time job at an optical store. My teaching experience paid off for this new series. So did working in our optical store. Unfortunately, I don't own a horse. That's where research comes into play, but we'll save that for another time.
  Don't forget to use the flowers in your garden.
  Until Next Time,
  this is Marlene Chabot