Surprising Ways Creators' Lives Shaped Fictional Universes

“Where do you get your ideas?” is a question many artists of various types get throughout their career, whether they made a painting, a movie, a television show, a song, a book, or even just a joke. Writers, musicians, filmmakers, and other artists create amazing worlds that are straight out of their imaginations. As it turns out, though, sometimes they build imaginary worlds based on their own realities. As a result, iconic works of art are just filled with subtle (and not-so-subtle) references to their creators' own lives. After all, a common suggestion for creatives is “write what you know.”
Who would have thought that a bestselling horror novel was inspired by a school janitor seeing a tampon machine. Or that an imaginary friend of a director would spark a sci-fi classic? Or that a film franchise was born when a writer wondered if he'd be friends with his dad in high school?
Thanks to Cracked readers, especially Burritomouth, we can know learn about how some of your favorite creators were able to craft such worlds in their work.
Entry by Chan Teik Onn

Entry by Giovenna Bianca Sipalay

Entry by E. J. Diaz

Entry by Taach

Entry by PollyDarton

Entry by Maclise

Entry by Moses Armstrong

Entry by Nenad Filipovic

Entry by Kevin King

Entry by E. J. Diaz

Entry by Joyce Rogers

Entry by Hestutomo Restu Kuncoro

Entry by Giovenna Bianca Sipalay

Entry by Robsonlined

Entry by Giovenna Bianca Sipalay

Entry by Harvey Sapigao

Entry by

Entry by bazooka

Entry by Andrea Meno

Entry by Andrea Meno

Entry by Maclise

Entry by PookieJones
