I’m so glad I wasn’t born in the 1700’s or the 1800’s! Not just because they didn’t have epidurals or dishwashers, but because I would surely be institutionalized for hallucinations.
When I was younger I didn’t realize I was writing (or at least engaged in the precursors to writing), I just thought I was having conversations with myself as I walked home from school. I can’t tell you how many times I rewrote conversations with boyfriends and my parents. Everything worked out so much better in my head.
I love meeting the people who hang out in my head. Some are kind. Some are angry. Some are sarcastic. Some are clever. But the thing they all have in common is—they are not me. I’m not as funny as my characters, or as smart. And there are a few characters who do things I would never in a million years do.
Most people say that every character we write is a small part of us, but I’m not so sure. Some of my characters share parts of me and some do not! Some are so far out of my comfort zone I’m amazed that I can even write them.
Give me your opinion. Is every character we write a small part of our personality?
-Angie
10 comments:
I think that's why I shy away from writing things in certain POV's. Like my character Will, for example. He's NOTHING like me ... plus he's male to boot. It's tough to jump inside of that and think that I'll be able to pull it off ya know? I agree with you... some of my characters are far far from me. But many of them are who I'd be if I dared. Or what I'd do if I allowed myself to get crazy angry or something like that, ya know? :)
I totally agree with you, Angie! Some characters share similar traits to me, some share none at all, and like Sara said above, some have qualities I would like to develop.
Oh Gosh, this is me to a T! My characters totally talk to me. I have conversations with them more often than I do with my family.
I definately don't see them as a part of me, though we do occasionally have things in common.
I don't think so, either. I can't imagine having the same traits as the bad guys I write. lol
LOL! You crack me up. I wouldn't have survived if I was born in another century either. Not only for the reasons you listed but also because the women always wore dresses! I am not a dress girl.
And I'm glad I'm not the only one that talks to herself or has people in her head. haha. Man, if someone sees this they may just think we're all insane!
Ha! Love the title of this post. That's an excellent question. I think many of my characters have personalities I wish I could have. :)
I think all of my characters have some trait of mine--even the bad ones. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
I think most of my characters have a little something of me in them -- whether it's a habit, a way of talking, a reaction, etc. And like others have said, some of them are more like who I *would* be, if I were in the same situation or bold enough or, you know, superpowered.
Interesting question! This definitely got me thinking.
I don't think all my characters are me, but they are a culmination of the knowledge I have attained. Their attributes are those that I wish I could be, I don't want to be, or I am. How I wish I could be more like Rebecca! Childlike qualities are enviable.
Once again, good post!
i think they each hav a piece of us, but i think they're also influenced by our friends and enemies and wild imaginations, fantasies and fears!
Post a Comment