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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/39335
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/39335
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

The short answer is: you live. You gain experience over time. Some things you'll never experience and some you already have. Knowing a drug addict is still personal experience, it's just from a different angle. Reading about different experiences helps but you'll be best off just meeting a lot of different people. I'm not suggesting you go hang with junkies but there are plenty of life experiences out there that aren't illegal or detrimental. For example, I've taken a lot of tests in my life (including AP tests and SATs in high school) but I was never 14 taking a huge test where I had to respond at an adult level. You've had an experience I never had.

After you've built up a bank of experiences you can extrapolate. For example, I'm in the middle of writing a novel set in Ancient Egypt, a place I've never lived in, will never visit, and will never meet anyone who's been there. But I've researched the heck out of it.

I recommend you tackle topics that aren't things so far off from your experience like drug abuse and prostitution. There are still plenty of things teens live with that are deep and emotional and make great writing. Divorce. Death of a parent or sibling. Uprooting your entire life to move elsewhere. Failing at something very important. A complete change in circumstances (for example, going from being middle class in a big house to being poor in a rundown apartment). Watching age or disease take its toll on someone you love. Maybe none of these things have happened to you, but I bet at least one has happened to someone you know well.

Talk to people and learn their stories. Read. Read some more. Volunteer in places where you see people in different circumstances from you. Get to know people of all ages, races/ethnic groups, genders, sexual orientations, social classes, political views, etc.

Good luck with your test!

Original score: 1