I use many techniques in my writing which has contributed to my success. One technique and probably my best technique is I use my personal life experiences in my writing which often have excellent stories behind them. I was in the military at a time in my life I never completely pursued being in the army which is one of my regrets. I later went into writing and often times some of the characters were a part of the army as well. An example of this is in
The Great Gatsby;
when I had Gatsby as a man who was in the army because he was based off me. Another way my books were influenced by my actual life was with Gatsby's love for Daisy and my love for Zelda. I met and fell in love with Zelda in 1918 in Montgomery, Alabama as I was stationed there for the army. I love Zelda but she would not be a part of my life because I was not in the same social class as her. Zelda was very concerned about the amount of money I had so she wouldn't marry me. Then I published a book and one week after it was published she married me! This was also Gatsby's problem because the reason Daisy wouldn't be with him was because Gatsby was not rich enough. Later Gatsby became wealthy and then he had his chance with Daisy but Daisy never truly loved him. This was like my life because I married Zelda after I got to her social status. Our marriage however wasn't very successful because our marriage was not built on love. I grew up in Minneapolis, MN and in my novel I referenced Gatsby living in North Dakota which is near where I grew up so I also use facts about my life like that as well. Those are a few of ways my personal life influenced my writing. Without my personal life I do not think I would be successful in writing.
