Friday, August 24, 2012

"Did you write about me in your book?" by Victoria James

I know that's a question that any writer has heard at least once.  Before I pursued publication, I used to semi-seriously tell one of my girlfriends that I'd love to cast her as a heroine in one of my books because her profession was so exciting.  And then when I told her I was published she of course squealed with delight, along with my other friends that night...and then slowly her smile faded, a frown formed and her head tilted to the side as she looked at me:  "You didn't really write about me did you?"  Of course I didn't...

But sometimes, a little bit of reality does get thrown into my books.  And I'm wondering how alone I am in this.  I mean, all the events that have occurred in our lives have shaped us, have been absorbed by us.  The memories and experiences remain-sometimes buried, but they're still there.  I think the best tweet I read this year was from author Anne Lamot..."You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should've behaved better."

That floored me.  First it made me laugh and think of all the miserable people I've encountered through the years, and how that would be such a great rebuttal if I ever did write them into a book, and they questioned me about it.  And while I have never written someone's actual history, I would say that subconsciously, certain people may have helped shaped some characters in my books.  Perhaps even one or two of the more hilarious and absurd things that have happened to my heroines may have happened to me-I will neither confirm nor deny if questioned :-)

There are also certain topics I know that are just too close to home, to personal, to painful to write about.  This summer we're dealing with my father's prostate cancer and doing daily trips to the cancer center.  Thankfully my father should be fine.  But the impact that area of the hospital has had on me-the other patients, the doctors, the support staff has been profound.  It's too close to home and the emotions are too raw to put on paper-now.  Maybe a few years I'll be able to revisit this summer in my mind and bring to life some of the spectacular, courageous people I've met.  For now, it's something I'd just like to shut the door on.

I think some of the best fiction I've read has had true to life characters and real emotion.  And I don't think you can have either of those if you haven't brought in a touch of reality into your book...

What about you?  Have you ever loosely based a character on someone you know?  Have you ever included an embarrassing moment into your book?  Do you think that our experiences have a great impact on our writing?

6 comments:

  1. Fantastic topic, Victoria! I cannot tell you how often I have gotten this. It seems anyone and everyone just assumes they have made it into your story. This used to really, really irk me (especially as the ones that asked were so off base) and then I learned it was just part of the game and I made a decision to let it roll of me.

    I do think real life is a wonderful source of inspiration. I love finding fodder in life's obstacles. Of course the real gems are usually hands off... but when it comes to my own life and not someone else's, I do draw from it without batting a lash. And as for those embarrassing moments you mention, any one of those my heroines ever experience has absolutely happened to me. (And you know exactly which ones, don't you?) Thanks again, Victoria. Love the post and SO happy your father is doing well....:-)

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    1. Thanks so much Olivia...LOL I know exactly what the most recent moment was and I have to say that it will be a great treat for your readers and will definitely incite laughter ;-)

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  2. I love this post, Victoria. I joke about my upcoming book being inspired by real life--you know, that time when my husband was an FBI agent and I was a prosecutor and he saved me from a stalker. But in truth, yeah, I borrowed a lot of pain from my real life to write that book. I've thought about disclosing some of my inspiration in a future post, but I'm undecided. I can hide behind fiction, but years later and the experiences still bring me to tears.

    All the best to your family. Cancer sucks.

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    1. Thanks Natalie! I totally get your indecision-it's disconcerting to reveal emotional experiences that are still very painful. Sometimes, I think writing can be a form of therapy. And thanks for the well wishes-yeah, cancer totally sucks.

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  3. Great post, Victoria! Hmm...I never had anyone think I'd include them in my stories. Maybe because until recently I was very quiet about my writing. And I've never actually inserted anyone I've known in my stories...although that could make for some interesting characters. *G* But I definitely draw on my own history to understand my characters better. I might not have faced the same problems as them but I can find something in my past to use in a broad sense to relate to their pain.

    Hugs to your family! So glad your father is almost through his treatment.

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    1. Hi Jennifer! Just wait, LOL, I'm sure the person you'd least expect will insist you need to cast them in one of your upcoming books! Thanks for the well wishes...I'm counting down the days! :-)

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