When writing, how much are your characters like or unlike you?
I often find that my Heroine’s words and actions are similar to mine, though only when I’m in a good mood. When I’m not, it’s like someone else is in charge, and the Heroine has a voice of her own. I must admit that during these times, I’m very delighted that the female MC has finally spoken.
Moods can definitely add a little spunk to our writing, spice to our characters and allow the shy writer to not hold anything back. There have been times that I’ve been frustrated about writing a certain scene, or even my mind goes blank, and I just write my way out of it. (It might not be the best idea, but editing can always be done).
Now, writing about characters is not something that I enjoy at all, but I think that’s because I’m not a fan of talking about myself, however describing them is what I find fun. As for my Heroine, I write her to appear like I wish I looked, make her stronger than I am, and make her appealing to my readers.
How do you write your characters? Are they like you, or not?
I designed my own Herione (Dawn) as the girl I wish I was. I unintentionally made her have the same phobias and looks as myself, and gave her the instincts and reflexes I wish I had. Though, of course, every character must have their flaws, to make them more realistic. She thus acquired claustrophobia and overconfidence. 😀 So, yes, my character is the better version of myself.
LOL! Thanks for your comment! Good luck with your work! 🙂
Ha ha, yours too!
I think the old saw about the writer being “in” the story is true but writers are deeper people than what their everyday nature may be–we have layers of personality from “below” our conscious horizon.
If this idea is true, then every character in a book could be “like” the author 🙂
Thanks for you comment! I do agree! I think that writers all have a kind of secret, or something that they want to get out (at least that’s what you hear), so I think that writing a book, is kind of like a journal…or even therapy! 🙂
Bingo and Yep and Exactly 🙂
Ha, ha! Thanks for your understanding! I’m glad that I’m not alone in what I believe. 🙂
I’m inclined to think that we put a part of ourselves in each one of our characters, at least the main ones. This is where it gets interesting and we have to dig deep to find all those parts of our personality that even we are not always aware of. As kids like to play make-believe, I like to put myself in that character’s place, feel what they’re going through, figure out who they really are. Good post!
Thanks for your comment, Laura! 🙂
Each one of my heroines is a part of me, though I’m learning to leave the blonde hair and blue eyes behind, which also helps me open up the girl to being something different. If she is blonde, then I tend to make her have too many of my insecurities and issues, or even the good parts. However, if I change her look, she takes on a new persona, that while there may be similar things in her life to mine, how she tackles them is different. She may be more bold and daring than I am, which is, I suppose, me writing what I would like to be myself.
As per the heros, well I just make them up using references from movies, tv, and other books I’ve read where I’ve liked a character.