David Given Schwarm

Weird fact: Before Jerry Springer launched his brawling freak show on daytime TV, he was a serious progressive politician and highly respected mayor of Cincinnati. In his heyday, many Ohioans even saw him as a likely candidate for the U.S. presidency. As you begin worrying that you might be pushing the bounds of believability for some of your characters, remember Jerry and the countless other real-life stories you’ve heard that make the wildest fiction pale by comparison.

Don’t be afraid to leverage the power of unlikely coincidences and unbelievable occurrences. Nothing could be more true to life.