October’s question is: Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?
The story I was working on had a version of myself as the main character, and I had a hard time with it. That is the primary reason that I put that particular story on hold. It felt too open and vulnerable. I think backing away from myself and writing about characters that have different flaws and characteristics makes the writing more fun and inventive. I have written scenes that are similar to awkward encounters I’ve had, and those are usually on purpose. Also, my personal values and beliefs usually show up in at least one of my characters.
I tried to get a photo to show my writer insecurity with IWSG logos, but neither my hair nor my cats were being very agreeable. I do have this picture of Sawyer with some writing inspiration that I took a while back. It is a reminder that creating "still life" is not my specialty.
My values show up in my writing.
ReplyDeleteSawyer does not look impressed!
Alex, Sawyer did not appreciate me interrupting his nap time :)
DeleteSawyer is adorable! We used to have an orange tabby cat who had a lot of personality. I'm betting Sawyer does too :-)
ReplyDeleteEllen, Yes! Sawyer has an interesting personality. When he's not cuddling in my lap or napping in strange positions, he will amuse me with his playtime :)
DeleteI feel like we writers always have to use what we know to flesh out our writing. Even if they are awkward encounters. :)
ReplyDeleteMy cat is never agreeable when I try to stage photos with her. The dog is much easier to work with...
M.J., Dogs do seem to enjoy smiling for the camera. I've managed to catch my cats in some good poses, but I've missed a lot too.
DeleteI think you need to take Sawyer by surprise.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you feel like making your characters like you makes you vulnerable. No one will know it's really you unless you tell them. Because they're going to think the not-you is you. You could, of course, lie and tell them the you-character is not ;)
Liz, I think my main problem was that I was trying to turn part of my life story into fiction, and it wasn't working as fiction since it was real for me. I think I may have to make that story more of a memoir or creative nonfiction. I don't mind giving bits and pieces of my personality to my characters :)
DeleteSawyer is adorable! I'm not a writer, but I can see that one's values could clearly come up in their writing.
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty, you are a writer, you write nonfiction stories on your blog that are touching and entertaining :)
DeleteHello Elizabeth. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, INDIA. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I also blessed and feel privileged and honored to get connected with you as well know your interestI love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 38 yrs in this great city of MUMBAI a city with a great contrast where where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have you come with your friends to work with us during your vacation time. I am sure you will have a life changing experience. My email id is:dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI think my values and beliefs kind of permeate the entirety of whatever I write. In fact that's partly why I write--hopefully not in a preachy way, but in a manner that provokes thought.
ReplyDeleteI often try to see myself as the main character to some extent, but I try to disguise them from actually being me.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Arlee, thought-provoking is a good term for the way your posts are written; they usually leave me pondering something :) I like the idea of disguising your characters. I guess I do that to some extent with one character who is like an outgoing version of myself.
DeleteWriting about characters who are different from us. An be a lot of fun. I tend to give my characters pieces of myself, but the heroines are usually so much more awesome than I am. LOL
ReplyDeleteYour cat is so cute!
Chrys, my characters are usually a lot more outgoing than I am, and if they are quiet, they're smarter, lol :)
DeleteCute cat! Yeah, some of my values seep into my writing too. I suppose my characters do sometimes represent facets of myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loni!
DeleteI like your IWSG inspiration picture. Cat + hot drink + warm blanket + books = win!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that there is sharing a bit of yourself through your characters … and then there is sharing all of yourself in your characters. Glad you were able to discover the magic amount. :)
With Love,
Mandy
Looks like a good inspiration picture to me. ;-)
ReplyDelete