Where Do You Get the REAL You Put Into Your Characters? Guest Blogger: Sandra Tilley
A question readers often ask me is "Are
your characters based on real people?"
My answer: yes and no.
Of course I take personalities, physical features,
mental qualities, etc., from people I know, but I also rely on the ideas in my
head. I don't choose a person to be a character in my book; a character chooses
me. Then I get to sort through my options and decide who suffers from low
self-esteem or who can toss a football fifty yards or who gets to be the
skinny, hot chick.
I never thought about anyone confusing my
characters with real people–until recently. While scrolling through my newsfeed
on Facebook, like I do about a hundred times a day, I saw a notice about my
high school reunion. Over the years I've connected with some high school
friends via social media with no mention of a reunion. Until now.
In my debut novel, The Ghost and Mrs. Miller, Libby Miller joins the committee to plan
her twentieth high school reunion. On the committee are her dead husband Neil
Miller's childhood friends Eli and Jesse who are former high school stars–on
and off the football field. However, no amount of association with them rubs
off on Neil. He remains an asterisk. Cocky, good looking football players and
guys who wish they were, are staples in high schools. And my high school was no
exception. My experiences with stars and asterisks, combined with my
imagination, created my cast of characters, including cocky football stars and
those who aren't.
I wrote about a class reunion to give
Libby the chance to reconnect with old high school love interests, and to reunite
old friends mourning Neil's loss. The combination of events provide opportunities
for Neil's ghost to meddle in their lives and elevate his asterisk ranking to the
star status of his two best friends.
The Facebook post called for volunteers. I
wondered if the same high school hierarchy would reign, or if time will be the
great equalizer. Curiosity made me select the box marked Yes, I'll be there. I'm a little nervous about the reunion meeting.
Stars and asterisks will be there. Wonder if they'll ask if my characters are
based on real people? I guess it depends on if they read my book.
Where do you get the real you put into your characters?
Good morning, J.C. Thanks for having me here today. Maybe some of our friends will stop by and share how real their characters are.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being my guest!
DeleteI'm always asked if my characters are based on real people, and for me, the answer is always no. I might take a quirk or a trait from someone I see, but my characters form themselves basically on their own. Plus, I don't write about real life, so I have no need for real people in my books.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Jennifer. Where's the fun in using a character you already know?
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I agree Jennifer. I might have some similar personality traits, but the characters aren’t people I know and the main character is definitely NOT supposed to be me!
DeleteI hate it when people ask me if I'm Libby--my main character in the Ghost and Mrs. Miller. No, no, and no. :)
DeleteFun subject! My answer is also yes and no. Most of the time they are not. But every once in a while a real person sneaks in there. I usually don't realize it until afterward.
ReplyDeleteThose sneaky characters! What's a writer to do? Can't ban your subconscious. :)
DeleteSo glad you joined us.
I have some sneaky characters, too. Thanks for stopping by Kay!
DeleteInteresting post. I agree. I try not to infuse too much of the people I know into a character, but it often happens without my being aware of it.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Thanks for visiting C.B.
DeleteThough my characters are mostly figments of my imaginations, occasionally something real pops in there, often unintentionally!
ReplyDeleteWell, we write what we know. And we know characters! :)
DeleteGlad you visited us today, Jana.
Same here Jana!
DeleteWhat an interesting post. I agree, I take bits and pieces of people I know and infuse the bits into my characters. It's just much safer that way. LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne. Your bits and pieces make awesome characters! Appreciate your stopping by.
DeleteI agree Suzanne! Although sometimes I randomly name characters after friends as a little nod, but they're nothing like the characters. :-) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe vast majority of my characters are not based on anyone. But occasionally one will act like someone I know. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's SO funny. And I SO get it. :)
DeleteSo glad you came by.
Hiiiiii Karilyn!! Thanks for visiting. So what youre saying is you got your inspiration for Gin's sass from me?!? Hahahahaha
DeleteInteresting post. I have to agree with Karilyn Bentley. Most of my characters are based on no one. But sometimes the act as people I've seen in public, not necessarily know. I enjoy people watching and listening to conversations I can over hear. Surprising what people say in public. LOL
ReplyDelete