How Much of Fiction Is Based on Real Life?

Have you ever wondered how much authors rely on real life to create fictional stories? Take “Charlotte’s Web,” for example. E.B. White’s story has many real-life parts:

• The Zuckerman Farm is based on White’s own farm;

• Charlotte is based on a real barn spider;

• Wilbur is based on a real pig;

• White personally felt close to nature and animals;

• White’s real farm included geese, sheep, cows and young egg-laying chickens.

How did E.B. White use his own real-life experiences to write his famous story about “Charlotte’s Web?”

Do you think it’s easier to write fictional stories which are actually based on real-life people, places and events —or—do you think it’s easier to create new fiction without using real-life influences? Explain your answer.

If you were asked to write a fictional story, based on real-life people, whom would you select? Why would you make those choices?