It’s always really interesting talking with readers about writing. Their questions are always really different from writers’ questions.
In the past I’ve never noticed much similarity in the questions I get, but recently, at different events, I’ve heard variations on the same question several times.
Do I write people I know? Do people I know wish I’d write about them? Do I write about myself?
Writing people we know: When the readers were asking about putting real people in books, they looked anxious–like they wouldn’t want to be part of a book. Which I can understand—you’d have no control over what was said about you. And maybe everyone who read the book would know you were the person the character was based on.
This is exactly why I don’t base my characters very closely on one person. My characters are usually amalgams of lots of different people—characteristics from five different people, personality traits from three others. And I know some writers would never base a character on a real person in any way.
Do people we know want to make appearances in our books? This is happening a little more frequently now. Usually, they want something that happened to them to be part of my book. Sometimes someone will say to me, “Let me tell you what happened to me—you should put it in one of your books.” So I’ll just say something noncommittal back: “Wow, that was some story! I’ll file that away…I’m always looking for new material and ideas.” But who knows?—maybe there’s some part of some story that will spark an idea for me.
Do we write ourselves into our books? I think I’m in the minority on this one, but I really don’t write myself into my books. I do add a few of my negative traits into some of my characters—maybe it’s therapy. :) So my frustration, impatience, etc, might make its way into a character. But other than that—no. My life and my personality honestly isn’t all that interesting to base books or characters on—I’d rather use my imagination.
How about you? Do you write about people you know? Do people you know want a cameo in your book? Do you write about yourself or your life?
Elizabeth – Those are really interesting questions about writing about people we know. Like you, I don’t write about specific people I know. I do composite characters, but I don’t base my characters on a specific person that I know. I think it’s because I want my characters to act certain ways and have certain things happen to them. I want them to think in certain ways, too, and I couldn’t do that if a character were someone that I actually knew.
I tend to use the conglomerate approach as well. Bits and pieces, good and bad, make more interesting characters. But our own experiences, viewpoints and biases probably sneak into our characters whether we’re trying or not.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I think most authors try to avoid writing people they know or even themselves into books. We may “write what we know” and have our characters share similar experiences as us or people we know, but unless we are writing memoir, I think we try to keep people we know out of our books.
None of my characters are based on anyone I know. And I certainly don’t insert myself into my writing! Besides, ‘dull guy’ just doesn’t make for an interesting character.
I think people think they want to be in our books but I don’t believe they will like it when we do. We’ll write them as we see them and rarely as they see themselves. That leads to lots of complaints. I’ll sometimes put in traits of those I know buy not the whole person.
CD
I don’t write about anyone I know, although I might borrow a habit or two and I certainly don’t write myself into any of my characters. I try to stay away from naming characters after ‘real’ people – too much baggage attached to those names!
Since up till now I’ve only written memoir and personal essays, that’s a resounding yes, I only write people I know. Now that I’m writing a fiction piece, no one I know will make an appearance in this book, consciously, anyway.
Karen
Even though our daily lives may not be that spectacular and interesting, I think most people have some stuff in the basement of their personality (good and bad) that can be interesting to use in a story >:)
Cold As Heaven
I’m writing a play. And, all the characters are inspired by real people. But, they aren’t the real person. Like you, I’ve blended other traits of other people and given them stories I’ve heard from all those various people. And, although I’m most like the main character, I’m also not her and she’s not me. It’s like dumping all the ingredients into the pot and watching for which ones surface after you’ve boiled it for a while.
My characters are made-up, but I might include some qualities of people I know. Maybe a quirk or something that fits the character. I often make up characters based on people I observe, too. They might say something or be acting in a way that makes me wonder what kind of person they are. So I imagine it for a character!
I don´t know what my friends and family feel about that, but I wouldn´t want to write about anyone who is so close to me I cannot see him or her clearly, if you understand.
But I think all writers use nuts and bolts from real people they have met whether they do so consciously or not. After all, we wouldn´t be able to create credible characters if we lived liked hermits. I can also recognize bits and pieces of myself in some of my characters, e.g. my current protagonist, the vicar´s daughter (she is ever so stubborn, and I know where she got that feature from).
I probably use characteristics of people I know, but no actual people. No one I recognize anyway :)
Jessica–I think we try to avoid it because we know that we can make people upset with us…either accidentally or not! And that’s never fun.
Margot–It’s true. It’s a nice starting out point using different traits of people we know, but then we need to manipulate the character into doing whatever it is they need to do…and that’s when we really have to start making stuff up.
Alex–I’m with you on that one! You and I would make a dull book together as starring progtagonists. :)
Clarissa–It’s sort of like having a portrait commissioned–only if the portrait is flattering and doesn’t look exactly like us!
Terry–I’m sure they do. It’s hard not to write what you know.
Cold As Heaven–I think my basement is pretty dull, too! But I could definitely elaborate on some things, I’m guessing.
Mary–I like your metaphor! It does seem a lot like that.
Laura–It definitely makes it easier to write mannerisms, etc, because they’re *real* and we’ve seen them in action!
Elspeth–I think I’ve walked on the edge a little with my naming. :) But then I have to put myself in the position of telling people that I took their *name* but that the character is nothing like them. I’m never sure if they believe me or not!
Karen–I think that Terry is right and that sometimes these people might creep into our characters subconsciously sometimes!
I don’t write about people I know – like you my characters are all built from random bits and pieces. I also don’t write about myself or my life.
I do have people telling me stories that they say I should write about – I usually respond that maybe they should consider writing their own story.
Dorte–Or someone who could maybe get upset at our portrayal. That wouldn’t be fun,either.
You’re so right–we need to have realistic characters that look, act, and talk like real people. How better to do that than engage in research by using traits from real people. :)
Jemi–And not consciously, although I guess our subconscious pulls things from funny places sometimes!
That is a VERY good way to handle it, Jane! Thanks for that idea. :)
I have to admit that the parents of my main character are my parents in real life. Fortunately, they’re both thrilled, particularly my dad. He loves his literary alter ego!
But, yeah, they’re probably the only people I would do that to…