A popular question on panels is “Are you anything at all like your protagonist?”
It’s an interesting question, I think, because each writer feels differently about incorporating themselves into a story.
Reasons I’ve heard why writers write parts of themselves into books:
Some writers view writing as a therapeutic process, working through problems or tragic events through their characters.
It can be easier to get into a character’s head or make the character pop on the page if the character is based on the writer.
The writer’s own background, skill-set, or professional knowledge can be used in the book for a realistic touch. (The protagonist may share the writer’s occupation or hobby.)
It can give the writer an opportunity to change the outcome of a situation they were in, through fiction.
Reasons I’ve heard why writers don’t write themselves into books:
They’re private people.
Their lives don’t seem interesting enough to write about.
Also interesting to me is the way that many writers I’ve listened to will use an absolute on the subject. “No, I’m not like my protagonists,” or “Yes, I’m similar to my protagonist.”
I’ve done the same thing—I usually say, “No, I’m nothing like my protagonists.” Because, honestly, if I wrote myself into a book—no one would read it. This is why I make things up. Besides, I’m not the kind of person who is protagonist material. I don’t make things happen…I like to observe them happening.
But it’s not true that I’m nothing like my protagonists. There are bits of me in them. One protagonist is an insomniac. Two protagonists are impatient. One protagonist is distracted and forgetful. Most of the things that get a small mention are actually my shortcomings.
I’d not thought about it, but when I write my shortcomings into books, I’m poking fun at myself. It’s a good way to blow off tension because my shortcomings tend to stress me out.
So I think, that most writers will use a combination approach. If they are consciously writing themselves, then they leave some material out (at least, I’d imagine they would. I sure wouldn’t be able to let it all hang out there.) If someone thinks they never write themselves into a book…maybe, like me, they don’t even realize they’re doing it.
How much of yourself goes into a book? How much is complete fiction?
There are ‘bits’ of me in all of my characters and the rest is, well, a whole bunch of lies. It’s a lot of fun! :D
What a great post! I’m the same way–I use parts of myself to initially begin writing about my characters, but eventually they form into “real” individuals as the story progresses. I give them traits that I don’t have but wish I did to get my imagination going. Though the main character in the novel I’m working on right now has very similar characteristics as me, for the purposes of the plotline, to give her a rich and complex thought process (and what better one to stem from than my own)?
Elizabeth – Oh, great question!! And it is a terrific post! I think all writers put parts of themselves into what they write. Writing comes from inside oneself and so experiences, etc.. have to play a role. But you’re right; that doesn’t mean writers put themselves as characters into their books. I know I don’t. My protag and I are, in a lot of ways, quite different. We’re different genders, to start with. And we have different life experiences. But, um, both of us intensely dislike bureaucratic paperwork ;-).
One of the best compliments I hear about my writing is, “I forgot you were the one who wrote it.” which tells me I am not putting too much of my personality into my characters.
I like to give my characters talents I don’t have, the ability to sing, draw, shoot a gun without serious injury to innocent bystanders.
In my current WIP, I am close to being like the MC’s best friend or at least I was 10 years ago before I was married and a mom.
Rather than write a protagonist like me, I try to make her be and act in ways I do not. The protagonist is as exciting and interesting as I wish I was.
I admit I put some elements of me in there, but then I add other things I would never do. An example of this would be drinking. My characters can get away with enjoying the occasional bender as that’s nothing I would do.
That said, I do have an addictive personality, so I can incorporate that part of me into the characters’ drinking, making it more authentic.
In my first two books, the females leads and I shared many common traits, especially in Book II. And I can understand the therapeutic aspect of doing so. However, after that my characters diversified and were nothing like me.
I write a protagonist who has some of my real traits. However, I give her lots of characteristics I wish I had.
A Certain Book–Telling lies for fun and profit! :)
Krissy–That’s a good point. Maybe, when we start out, we know less about our characters and it’s easier to base them on aspects of ourselves until we get to know them better.
Margot–Red tape! Sounds like a good thing to dislike. :)
Dawn–It’s almost like playing dress-up, isn’t it? We can try on a role that we wouldn’t play in real life!
Mary–That’s sort of the way I am, too. I’m not as adventurous as my protagonists. :)
Jeffrey–And that gives you an insight that’s useful in writing those scenes..good idea.
Diane–Interesting that you changed tactics with developing your protagonists.
Nancy–Traits you admire…yes, I think I do that, too.
I’m similar in mind but not in actions >;)
Cold As Heaven
Well, they’re all part of me, yes… and I find that whenever I’m really stuck with a character it’s usually because I’ve put a bit too much of myself into them, making it all too personal somehow…
Why yes hello Freud.
I’ve always had issues with books that writers call fiction when it’s actually just a thinly-concealed autobiography, so I really try my best to keep my protagonists different from myself (through different hobbies, aspirations, reactions to things, etc.). Still, I know that there are bits of me in all my characters, and I see the bits and pieces all the time. :)
I’ve only written childrens books but have none published. When I do write, no matter what, I put 110% of myself into it.
God bless ya and have a most beautiful weekend sweetie!!!
Cold As Heaven–Ahh–yes. I think that’s a good point. Maybe we share an outlook, but we don’t approach things the same way.
Tessa–Ha! I can imagine that would be the case. I’ve never thought of it that way…interesting!
Shelby–That can bother me, too. I do like a little honesty or transparency with our writing.
Nezzy–I can believe that! I think you might have enough personality to be shared out with quite a few characters..you’re one of the lucky ones. :)
I tend to spread bits and pieces of myself across characters. One is shy, another hates heights, and so on. I think it helps me identify with a larger number of my characters without making them all copies of myself. And, like you said, it’s a way to poke a bit of fun at myself.
I intentionally make my protagonists clearly different from myself. My first novel has a five year-old protagonist, the one I’m writing now has a middle-aged man. In my short stories I tend to write older people or younger people or grief-stricken people or crazy people. I think partly because I don’t interest myself so much – there are too many other interesting people around, but also because that way I can plant little seeds of my truth in the characters and no-one will ever know…
Actually some times i am using some of my personal thoughts and attach them to the character ,, but complete character ? as you said no one will be interesting ..