How to make Unrealisticness Real

Most likely, the stories people write are epically unrealistic (because who would want to read a story that's about common, every day events?). And that's so cool! I love stories that could never happen and take me places I have never been before! However, I find that most unrealistic stories are not written in a believable way. What do I mean, you may ask? I'll tell you. There is a way to make a tale that is so out of this world appear it could happen. Think about it. Who's the best superhero? If you said Batman or Iron Man, you are correct (I'm right about this, trust me. Spiderman and the rest are cool, but. . . .) They are the only heroes who are not mutated, aren't from another planet, and don't have some crazy DNA alteration. People like them because they are the most realistic superhero and there is hope people can be like them. (Technically there isn't, but people like to think that anyways.) If you disagree with me, that's fine, but why would Iron Man and Batman have several movies while the others might have one?

My point is, you can make the craziest story real by adding realistic elements. There is a fine line between fiction and truth and writers must become experts at coming right up to the line, but never straying to far from one side or the other. But why? Why would you want to give your story a believable twang even though the tale could never happen? Because it is easier for the reader to relax, sink into, and become apart of a story they can relate to. And that's what you want, a reader who mistakes the act of reading as a personal experience. 

So, the question of the hour, how to make an unrealistic story real? Easy. It doesn't matter what happens in a story, what matters is how the characters respond. Have your reader relate to the character as much as possible. How? Make your character real. I think characters have become this distant, lofty life form that is never afraid, can get horribly wounded but still press on, don't stammer or have strange quirks, and have the best ever creepy laughs. Have you met anyone like that in real life? Neither have I. 

To make a character real is to know the human psyche (which is easier then you think because you are human).Keep in mind, the more outlandish your story is, the more the reader must be reminded the characters are real people. Below is a list of personality options to give characters. They will help give them life so that the reader can relate (thus making a story real):

• Give them fears that is odd; afraid of the dark, too much sunlight, water, running out of air, open spaces, etc.
• Give them quirks; hiccup when they are nervous, scratch their ear all the time, loath the color green, always think tall buildings will fall on them, never eat cold pizza because it looks like skin, etc.
• Make them geniuses in one area, but very stupid in another; good at marshal arts, but can't throw a ball to save their life.
• Give them a stammer or filler word.
• Have them, briefly, talk about stupid stuff. In real life, most conversations are about nonsense and no one simply cuts to the chase. Have the characters talk about their dog's limp, the runny nose they’ve had for tree weeks, complain about the weather, and so forth now and then. BUT don't to it too much because the story must continue and not get stuck on characters talking about the coolest video game or the latest manicure.
• Make them act illogically when distaste falls. People do stupid things; your characters should mirror that.

Try this out. Experiment. Yes, it will be work to make characters real, but, once you've given them life, your story will never be the same. 

Happy writing!

Exercise:

During your work, classes, errors, or whatever you do with a lot of other people, be on the lookout for quirky, realistic things people do around you. Write them down as soon as you can. Once you have a good amount of strange, human-like oddities sit down and write any scene of your choice. Include your findings to make the characters appear real. Let yourself to think differently and allow your characters to be themselves. Once you've finished, have someone read it and ask if the scene was believable. If it was, awesome! If it needs some work, then work on it until it becomes real. Don't give up. I promise you, you'll find that line between truth and fiction.