Our optional IWSG question for October is: Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose? Of course! That's one of the best things about being a writer! Want to get even with that ex? Make your heroine a ball buster. Want to conquer your fears? Push your plot into the danger zone and have your intrepid characters kick butt. Want to escape the tedium of your 9-to-5? Travel to places unknown (or even non-existent!), relive your most humiliating moment and this time, come out on top, make out with the best man at your wedding rehearsal, say those words you always regretted holding back. It's hard not to let our personal and professional lives, experiences and attitudes leech into our creative ooze when we explore fiction by reanimating the things we've done . . . or always wish we had but didn't, crusading for what we believe in and defeating the evils that darken our pasts. We put a bit of our heart and soul and experience into everything we write, but that can go both ways.
Sometimes, our writing spills over into our personas. We can get lost in the words and worlds we imagine. When writing my Dana Ransom westerns, I've been caught demanding that my boys eat them there peas! Or when penning Regencies, speaking with a very proper accent. And don't get me started on the occasional influx of naughty words after spending too much time with some of my male bonding shapeshifter heroes. So, I guess you could say my characters and I learn from each other. But sometimes, it's just a story about a man and a fish, not some metaphorical transference or societal commentary. Just a man and a fish, no matter what your 8th grade English teach told you. Now, the man becoming a cockroach . . . that's something all together different!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
The awesome co-hosts for the October 4th posting of the IWSG will be Olga Godim, Chemist Ken, Jennifer Hawes, and Tamara Narayan!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
I think we all put bits of ourselves into our stories even if we realize it or not. :) And yes, it is sometimes just about a man and a fish nothing more.
ReplyDeleteGood reference to the man & a fish. How can we not inject our experiences & opinions into our writing? Unfortunately, I can't use the experience of traveling on a starship. :-(
ReplyDeleteI like your photo!
ReplyDeleteCrusading for what we believe in - that's a great way to put it.
Quite right about the personal information flowing both ways. I have found myself picking up a phrase or mannerism of my protag on occasion. It's really quite hilarious.
ReplyDeleteGood picture, Nancy!!
ReplyDeleteAnd a very good post!
LOL - It really is just a story about a man and a fish.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post, Nancy! Writing IS personal...no way to avoid it. I'd like the opportunity to relive humiliating moments...and come out on top this time! And don't get me started on "words I regret holding back"! My character's and I are letting loose! Congrats on the coming release of Prince of Fools! Fantastic read!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love your reasoning for inserting yourself into your characters. And of course, we learn from our characters. Especially if one becomes a cockroach: a very novel experience, to be sure.
ReplyDeleteLove your take on the reverse - telling your boys to eat them there peas. All parents' actions are eye roll worthy from their offspring. You added a new twist I actually envy. Great post, indeed.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post! You're right about our writing being personal. At the risk of appearing philosophical, I think we write what we are and we are what we write.
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of reliving the past to change the outcome in my stories, but haven't actually done it yet. Hm.
ReplyDeleteI give some of my traits to my characters, but then I have them do things I'd never be able to do, like be brave. Makes me feel better about myself. :)
ReplyDelete"our writing spills over into our personas"
ReplyDeleteYes!! So true!
Love your pic
Love the picture, Nancy!
ReplyDeleteWe are inseparable from our writing. There is always an overlap.
Great pic! That is a great anthology!
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating!
Heather M. Gardner