Anne here, and today I'm responding to a question from Quantum (for which he's won a book): "When reading your books I often wonder whether you imagined yourself as the heroine while writing, imbuing her with qualities that you have or would like to have. Daisy the seamstress is a favorite and perhaps you are stitching ideas together like Daisy making dresses."
I had to really think about this. When I'm writing, I try to imagine myself into each of the characters — not that the characters are me in any way, but that to access them, I have to 'dream' my way into them and how they are feeling, thinking etc. But it's not much different to the way I imagine myself into the places in the books, when I haven't been able to visit them in person.
It's a common belief that writers base their characters on real people, but all I can say is that it's not true for me at all. The closest I get to using real people in my books is pinching their name for characters, and I only do that with friends' names and then only for minor characters. (For instance, Sir Alan and Lady Reynolds who give a party in The Scoundrel's Bride. See also who I dedicated the book to.) I also borrow physical characteristics from actors sometimes, but mainly it's the mood of the photo that inspires me, like the one above.
When I was first published a good friend who loves psychology examined my first book with an assumption that the heroine was some form of me. She was a little perplexed. Then she read the second book, and then the next, still looking for me-as-character. I'm not sure when she gave up looking for evidence that they were some version of me, but she did quite early on.
There is obviously some part of me in all my characters — they come from my imagination, after all. Some have my sense of humor, some respond to the events and situations in the book as I might, but mostly my characters do and think things I would never do. Occasionally they do things I would love to be able to do — like come up with instant snappy comebacks in dialogue. In real life I often only think of the perfect comeback an hour or two later, or even at 2am. But generally they are who they are. Other writers I've talked to about this have similar responses — I suppose it's where the notion of "a muse" comes from.
Some of my main characters spring to life more or less fully formed on the page. Others take longer to emerge, and I ask myself questions about them, and what they are feeling at any point in the story. I build up a picture in my mind of who they are and what makes them tick. Even then, some can surprise me.
I remember when I was writing The Spring Bride, and Jane said to Zachary Black — "Oh grow up!" In the scene she and the hero are arguing over her decision to make a practical marriage. Up to that point she'd been sweet and cooperative and her spurt of temper took me as much by surprise as it took Zachary. I know that sounds weird, when Jane was my creation, but one of the joys of writing is when a character takes on a life of their own.
And some readers wrote to me, saying how much they liked that point where, to quote a couple of them, "Jane grew a backbone."
Here's that scene:
“You make it sound so cold-blooded, and I’m not,” Jane said.
He laughed, a short, hard sound. “Yes you are. Still, you deserve better than a fellow like Cambury. You can’t let yourself be sold off like this—”
“Oh, grow up!” she snapped.
His jaw dropped. “What?”
“I said grow up! Oh, it’s all so easy from where you stand, isn’t it, Mr. Black? You look at me and see the fine clothes, and you see I’m living in a big house in the best part of town and you imagine it’s all so perfect, don’t you?”
“I—”
“You can’t possibly imagine—can you, Mr. Black?—that I might know what it is to be hungry, what it is to be cold, what it is to have nowhere safe to sleep at night—” She broke off and took a deep, steadying breath.
“I didn’t—”
“I have nothing, not a penny of my own but the allowance Lady Beatrice gives me—and she has no reason to give it—I am no kin to her. It is nothing but kindness—charity, if you will.” Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. Angry unshed tears.
“I have little education, no skills, nothing but my face to recommend me. Lady Beatrice has given me the opportunity to make the kind of marriage that will secure my future—mine and any children I might have—and neither you, nor anyone else, is going to stop me from having it, no matter how much I might—” She broke off, shaking her head. “Oh, please, just go. And don’t come back. I don't wish to see you ever again.”
* * * * *
Jane isn't the only character who has surprised me with something they said or did, or behaved differently from how I'd initially imagined them, but I won't bore you with endless examples. I will say, however, that the surprise often comes in a scene where I'm handwriting first (which I don't always do) so I guess my subconscious is kicking in. And when that happens, it's a real boost.
But rather than characters that are some version of me or even of someone I know, I would much prefer to write the kind of characters I would love to meet, characters who surprise and entertain me — like Lady Beatrice, for instance, the kind of woman who we'd never meet in life.
So in a way you're right, Quantum — I am a bit like Daisy the dressmaker. Sometimes the character (or in her case, the dress) comes to me wholly imagined, and other times, it comes of draping and pinning and snipping and trying out different fabrics and styles until the right one emerges. Thanks for the question.
Question for readers: Have you ever come across a character in a book who reminds you of someone you know? Do you like it or does it feel a bit weird? Or is there a character in a book that you'd love to meet, because they're nothing like the people you meet in real life?
Kate Farleigh. I’d want to meet Kate. Then Prue. But Kate first. And I think that every character one writes has a little piece of the author in them. Even if it’s something the author doesn’t realize is there because the character comes from the mind of the author so no matter how tiny, the character is still a part of the imagination. A word, a phrase, an action, there will always be something that, maybe not a giant character trait, will be something that the author, in the same situation, would do or say. But that’s me. 🙂
Kate Farleigh. I’d want to meet Kate. Then Prue. But Kate first. And I think that every character one writes has a little piece of the author in them. Even if it’s something the author doesn’t realize is there because the character comes from the mind of the author so no matter how tiny, the character is still a part of the imagination. A word, a phrase, an action, there will always be something that, maybe not a giant character trait, will be something that the author, in the same situation, would do or say. But that’s me. 🙂
Kate Farleigh. I’d want to meet Kate. Then Prue. But Kate first. And I think that every character one writes has a little piece of the author in them. Even if it’s something the author doesn’t realize is there because the character comes from the mind of the author so no matter how tiny, the character is still a part of the imagination. A word, a phrase, an action, there will always be something that, maybe not a giant character trait, will be something that the author, in the same situation, would do or say. But that’s me. 🙂
Kate Farleigh. I’d want to meet Kate. Then Prue. But Kate first. And I think that every character one writes has a little piece of the author in them. Even if it’s something the author doesn’t realize is there because the character comes from the mind of the author so no matter how tiny, the character is still a part of the imagination. A word, a phrase, an action, there will always be something that, maybe not a giant character trait, will be something that the author, in the same situation, would do or say. But that’s me. 🙂
Kate Farleigh. I’d want to meet Kate. Then Prue. But Kate first. And I think that every character one writes has a little piece of the author in them. Even if it’s something the author doesn’t realize is there because the character comes from the mind of the author so no matter how tiny, the character is still a part of the imagination. A word, a phrase, an action, there will always be something that, maybe not a giant character trait, will be something that the author, in the same situation, would do or say. But that’s me. 🙂
Brilliant response Anne … thanks.
I think that the heroines I like best have aspects that remind me of the lady I married. But I’m a hopeless romantic when tempted away from science … always falling in love with the heroines of admired authors. Maybe that’s why they are favourites! If my better half wrote romance I’m suspect that her books would be my all time favourites … though that’s an untested hypothesis!
Brilliant response Anne … thanks.
I think that the heroines I like best have aspects that remind me of the lady I married. But I’m a hopeless romantic when tempted away from science … always falling in love with the heroines of admired authors. Maybe that’s why they are favourites! If my better half wrote romance I’m suspect that her books would be my all time favourites … though that’s an untested hypothesis!
Brilliant response Anne … thanks.
I think that the heroines I like best have aspects that remind me of the lady I married. But I’m a hopeless romantic when tempted away from science … always falling in love with the heroines of admired authors. Maybe that’s why they are favourites! If my better half wrote romance I’m suspect that her books would be my all time favourites … though that’s an untested hypothesis!
Brilliant response Anne … thanks.
I think that the heroines I like best have aspects that remind me of the lady I married. But I’m a hopeless romantic when tempted away from science … always falling in love with the heroines of admired authors. Maybe that’s why they are favourites! If my better half wrote romance I’m suspect that her books would be my all time favourites … though that’s an untested hypothesis!
Brilliant response Anne … thanks.
I think that the heroines I like best have aspects that remind me of the lady I married. But I’m a hopeless romantic when tempted away from science … always falling in love with the heroines of admired authors. Maybe that’s why they are favourites! If my better half wrote romance I’m suspect that her books would be my all time favourites … though that’s an untested hypothesis!
What a thoughtful post, Anne; thanks to you and to Quantum.
What a thoughtful post, Anne; thanks to you and to Quantum.
What a thoughtful post, Anne; thanks to you and to Quantum.
What a thoughtful post, Anne; thanks to you and to Quantum.
What a thoughtful post, Anne; thanks to you and to Quantum.
Hi Anne – Another great blog – so interesting. I just wanted to let you know I received The Scoundrel’s Daughter with it’s beautiful cover. I’m off on a trip to Wisconsin tomorrow & can’t wait to immerse myself in the story while flying over the USA. I’m sure I’ll wish to meet everyone in the book (well, even the Scoundrel?!).
Hi Anne – Another great blog – so interesting. I just wanted to let you know I received The Scoundrel’s Daughter with it’s beautiful cover. I’m off on a trip to Wisconsin tomorrow & can’t wait to immerse myself in the story while flying over the USA. I’m sure I’ll wish to meet everyone in the book (well, even the Scoundrel?!).
Hi Anne – Another great blog – so interesting. I just wanted to let you know I received The Scoundrel’s Daughter with it’s beautiful cover. I’m off on a trip to Wisconsin tomorrow & can’t wait to immerse myself in the story while flying over the USA. I’m sure I’ll wish to meet everyone in the book (well, even the Scoundrel?!).
Hi Anne – Another great blog – so interesting. I just wanted to let you know I received The Scoundrel’s Daughter with it’s beautiful cover. I’m off on a trip to Wisconsin tomorrow & can’t wait to immerse myself in the story while flying over the USA. I’m sure I’ll wish to meet everyone in the book (well, even the Scoundrel?!).
Hi Anne – Another great blog – so interesting. I just wanted to let you know I received The Scoundrel’s Daughter with it’s beautiful cover. I’m off on a trip to Wisconsin tomorrow & can’t wait to immerse myself in the story while flying over the USA. I’m sure I’ll wish to meet everyone in the book (well, even the Scoundrel?!).
I am sure some of your experiences help form your stories, but that doesn’t make the the characters a part of you. In a different genre, C. J. Cherryh has just recovered from a year of chemotherapy (she talks about it on her blog, so it is public knowledge) I doubt that any of her characters will ever suffer from this (they do gene-genering, so they wouldn’t need it) but I have no doubt her view on suffering will have changed and her already rich characters will grow richer. As I am sure such experiences work to the good of all the authors I talk with., whether they live in the past, the present, OR the future.
I am sure some of your experiences help form your stories, but that doesn’t make the the characters a part of you. In a different genre, C. J. Cherryh has just recovered from a year of chemotherapy (she talks about it on her blog, so it is public knowledge) I doubt that any of her characters will ever suffer from this (they do gene-genering, so they wouldn’t need it) but I have no doubt her view on suffering will have changed and her already rich characters will grow richer. As I am sure such experiences work to the good of all the authors I talk with., whether they live in the past, the present, OR the future.
I am sure some of your experiences help form your stories, but that doesn’t make the the characters a part of you. In a different genre, C. J. Cherryh has just recovered from a year of chemotherapy (she talks about it on her blog, so it is public knowledge) I doubt that any of her characters will ever suffer from this (they do gene-genering, so they wouldn’t need it) but I have no doubt her view on suffering will have changed and her already rich characters will grow richer. As I am sure such experiences work to the good of all the authors I talk with., whether they live in the past, the present, OR the future.
I am sure some of your experiences help form your stories, but that doesn’t make the the characters a part of you. In a different genre, C. J. Cherryh has just recovered from a year of chemotherapy (she talks about it on her blog, so it is public knowledge) I doubt that any of her characters will ever suffer from this (they do gene-genering, so they wouldn’t need it) but I have no doubt her view on suffering will have changed and her already rich characters will grow richer. As I am sure such experiences work to the good of all the authors I talk with., whether they live in the past, the present, OR the future.
I am sure some of your experiences help form your stories, but that doesn’t make the the characters a part of you. In a different genre, C. J. Cherryh has just recovered from a year of chemotherapy (she talks about it on her blog, so it is public knowledge) I doubt that any of her characters will ever suffer from this (they do gene-genering, so they wouldn’t need it) but I have no doubt her view on suffering will have changed and her already rich characters will grow richer. As I am sure such experiences work to the good of all the authors I talk with., whether they live in the past, the present, OR the future.
Very interesting question, Quantum and Anne! Anne, I think I’d answer it in a way similar to what you just did. My characters have to have qualities I can at least empathize with, but they are not me. And that goes for heroes as well as heroines.
Very interesting question, Quantum and Anne! Anne, I think I’d answer it in a way similar to what you just did. My characters have to have qualities I can at least empathize with, but they are not me. And that goes for heroes as well as heroines.
Very interesting question, Quantum and Anne! Anne, I think I’d answer it in a way similar to what you just did. My characters have to have qualities I can at least empathize with, but they are not me. And that goes for heroes as well as heroines.
Very interesting question, Quantum and Anne! Anne, I think I’d answer it in a way similar to what you just did. My characters have to have qualities I can at least empathize with, but they are not me. And that goes for heroes as well as heroines.
Very interesting question, Quantum and Anne! Anne, I think I’d answer it in a way similar to what you just did. My characters have to have qualities I can at least empathize with, but they are not me. And that goes for heroes as well as heroines.
Really thoughtful response – I enjoyed it very much. I get a jolt sometimes when something a character thinks or does reminds me of myself. I have a few quirks ( as most people do, I think) and when a character feels or voices an echo of my own feelings it encourages me that I’m not the only one! As to a character I would like to meet it would be the grandfather from the Merridew Sisters series so I do something dreadful to him!
Really thoughtful response – I enjoyed it very much. I get a jolt sometimes when something a character thinks or does reminds me of myself. I have a few quirks ( as most people do, I think) and when a character feels or voices an echo of my own feelings it encourages me that I’m not the only one! As to a character I would like to meet it would be the grandfather from the Merridew Sisters series so I do something dreadful to him!
Really thoughtful response – I enjoyed it very much. I get a jolt sometimes when something a character thinks or does reminds me of myself. I have a few quirks ( as most people do, I think) and when a character feels or voices an echo of my own feelings it encourages me that I’m not the only one! As to a character I would like to meet it would be the grandfather from the Merridew Sisters series so I do something dreadful to him!
Really thoughtful response – I enjoyed it very much. I get a jolt sometimes when something a character thinks or does reminds me of myself. I have a few quirks ( as most people do, I think) and when a character feels or voices an echo of my own feelings it encourages me that I’m not the only one! As to a character I would like to meet it would be the grandfather from the Merridew Sisters series so I do something dreadful to him!
Really thoughtful response – I enjoyed it very much. I get a jolt sometimes when something a character thinks or does reminds me of myself. I have a few quirks ( as most people do, I think) and when a character feels or voices an echo of my own feelings it encourages me that I’m not the only one! As to a character I would like to meet it would be the grandfather from the Merridew Sisters series so I do something dreadful to him!
Thanks, Theo — wouldn’t that be fun, to visit Kate or Prue now that they’ve had a few years of marriage, and see how they are now?
I think you’re right that a lot of character things come from the author’s subconscious, but as long as it stays there, I’m fine. I think if I tried to channel “me” or someone I know, I’d freeze.
Even when I wrote a couple of short stories based on real people and real events, the only time the writing came to life was after I’d released the “realness” and felt free to imagine their thoughts and feelings and make it up.
Thanks, Theo — wouldn’t that be fun, to visit Kate or Prue now that they’ve had a few years of marriage, and see how they are now?
I think you’re right that a lot of character things come from the author’s subconscious, but as long as it stays there, I’m fine. I think if I tried to channel “me” or someone I know, I’d freeze.
Even when I wrote a couple of short stories based on real people and real events, the only time the writing came to life was after I’d released the “realness” and felt free to imagine their thoughts and feelings and make it up.
Thanks, Theo — wouldn’t that be fun, to visit Kate or Prue now that they’ve had a few years of marriage, and see how they are now?
I think you’re right that a lot of character things come from the author’s subconscious, but as long as it stays there, I’m fine. I think if I tried to channel “me” or someone I know, I’d freeze.
Even when I wrote a couple of short stories based on real people and real events, the only time the writing came to life was after I’d released the “realness” and felt free to imagine their thoughts and feelings and make it up.
Thanks, Theo — wouldn’t that be fun, to visit Kate or Prue now that they’ve had a few years of marriage, and see how they are now?
I think you’re right that a lot of character things come from the author’s subconscious, but as long as it stays there, I’m fine. I think if I tried to channel “me” or someone I know, I’d freeze.
Even when I wrote a couple of short stories based on real people and real events, the only time the writing came to life was after I’d released the “realness” and felt free to imagine their thoughts and feelings and make it up.
Thanks, Theo — wouldn’t that be fun, to visit Kate or Prue now that they’ve had a few years of marriage, and see how they are now?
I think you’re right that a lot of character things come from the author’s subconscious, but as long as it stays there, I’m fine. I think if I tried to channel “me” or someone I know, I’d freeze.
Even when I wrote a couple of short stories based on real people and real events, the only time the writing came to life was after I’d released the “realness” and felt free to imagine their thoughts and feelings and make it up.
Quantum, I think you’ve nailed it — I suspect most of us are hopeless romantics and enjoy falling in love with book characters. (Certainly I fell in love with James in The Scoundrel’s Daughter.)
I’ve read that one of the reasons for the popularity of romance novels is that readers enjoy reliving their own falling-in-love experience, and that it refreshes and reinvigorates it — assuming it was a good experience, that is. . And if not, maybe it replaces them. I don’t know, but I like the thought.
Quantum, I think you’ve nailed it — I suspect most of us are hopeless romantics and enjoy falling in love with book characters. (Certainly I fell in love with James in The Scoundrel’s Daughter.)
I’ve read that one of the reasons for the popularity of romance novels is that readers enjoy reliving their own falling-in-love experience, and that it refreshes and reinvigorates it — assuming it was a good experience, that is. . And if not, maybe it replaces them. I don’t know, but I like the thought.
Quantum, I think you’ve nailed it — I suspect most of us are hopeless romantics and enjoy falling in love with book characters. (Certainly I fell in love with James in The Scoundrel’s Daughter.)
I’ve read that one of the reasons for the popularity of romance novels is that readers enjoy reliving their own falling-in-love experience, and that it refreshes and reinvigorates it — assuming it was a good experience, that is. . And if not, maybe it replaces them. I don’t know, but I like the thought.
Quantum, I think you’ve nailed it — I suspect most of us are hopeless romantics and enjoy falling in love with book characters. (Certainly I fell in love with James in The Scoundrel’s Daughter.)
I’ve read that one of the reasons for the popularity of romance novels is that readers enjoy reliving their own falling-in-love experience, and that it refreshes and reinvigorates it — assuming it was a good experience, that is. . And if not, maybe it replaces them. I don’t know, but I like the thought.
Quantum, I think you’ve nailed it — I suspect most of us are hopeless romantics and enjoy falling in love with book characters. (Certainly I fell in love with James in The Scoundrel’s Daughter.)
I’ve read that one of the reasons for the popularity of romance novels is that readers enjoy reliving their own falling-in-love experience, and that it refreshes and reinvigorates it — assuming it was a good experience, that is. . And if not, maybe it replaces them. I don’t know, but I like the thought.
Thanks, Kareni. I like getting questions from readers, as it pushes my thoughts into areas I might not otherwise venture.
Thanks, Kareni. I like getting questions from readers, as it pushes my thoughts into areas I might not otherwise venture.
Thanks, Kareni. I like getting questions from readers, as it pushes my thoughts into areas I might not otherwise venture.
Thanks, Kareni. I like getting questions from readers, as it pushes my thoughts into areas I might not otherwise venture.
Thanks, Kareni. I like getting questions from readers, as it pushes my thoughts into areas I might not otherwise venture.
Thanks, Jeanne, glad it arrived safely. Enjoy your trip to Wisconsin.
Thanks, Jeanne, glad it arrived safely. Enjoy your trip to Wisconsin.
Thanks, Jeanne, glad it arrived safely. Enjoy your trip to Wisconsin.
Thanks, Jeanne, glad it arrived safely. Enjoy your trip to Wisconsin.
Thanks, Jeanne, glad it arrived safely. Enjoy your trip to Wisconsin.
Yes, I think that’s it, Sue — all kinds of feelings and experience are absorbed during an author’s lifetime, and various aspects get fed into their writing and books, but there’s rarely any direct correlation to their characters. I’ve only read one Cherryh book and it was a corker — can’t recall the title — Maybe the Paladin? — but it was about a young female swordswoman who wanted to be taken on as an apprentice by the greatest sword master of the age, now crippled. Fabulous book. Might have to read it again.
Yes, I think that’s it, Sue — all kinds of feelings and experience are absorbed during an author’s lifetime, and various aspects get fed into their writing and books, but there’s rarely any direct correlation to their characters. I’ve only read one Cherryh book and it was a corker — can’t recall the title — Maybe the Paladin? — but it was about a young female swordswoman who wanted to be taken on as an apprentice by the greatest sword master of the age, now crippled. Fabulous book. Might have to read it again.
Yes, I think that’s it, Sue — all kinds of feelings and experience are absorbed during an author’s lifetime, and various aspects get fed into their writing and books, but there’s rarely any direct correlation to their characters. I’ve only read one Cherryh book and it was a corker — can’t recall the title — Maybe the Paladin? — but it was about a young female swordswoman who wanted to be taken on as an apprentice by the greatest sword master of the age, now crippled. Fabulous book. Might have to read it again.
Yes, I think that’s it, Sue — all kinds of feelings and experience are absorbed during an author’s lifetime, and various aspects get fed into their writing and books, but there’s rarely any direct correlation to their characters. I’ve only read one Cherryh book and it was a corker — can’t recall the title — Maybe the Paladin? — but it was about a young female swordswoman who wanted to be taken on as an apprentice by the greatest sword master of the age, now crippled. Fabulous book. Might have to read it again.
Yes, I think that’s it, Sue — all kinds of feelings and experience are absorbed during an author’s lifetime, and various aspects get fed into their writing and books, but there’s rarely any direct correlation to their characters. I’ve only read one Cherryh book and it was a corker — can’t recall the title — Maybe the Paladin? — but it was about a young female swordswoman who wanted to be taken on as an apprentice by the greatest sword master of the age, now crippled. Fabulous book. Might have to read it again.
Mary Jo since writing this blog, I’ve kept pondering these questions. I think attitudes also matter — the things the books deals with, like not just achieving justice but what justice means in that particular situation to that character.
Mary Jo since writing this blog, I’ve kept pondering these questions. I think attitudes also matter — the things the books deals with, like not just achieving justice but what justice means in that particular situation to that character.
Mary Jo since writing this blog, I’ve kept pondering these questions. I think attitudes also matter — the things the books deals with, like not just achieving justice but what justice means in that particular situation to that character.
Mary Jo since writing this blog, I’ve kept pondering these questions. I think attitudes also matter — the things the books deals with, like not just achieving justice but what justice means in that particular situation to that character.
Mary Jo since writing this blog, I’ve kept pondering these questions. I think attitudes also matter — the things the books deals with, like not just achieving justice but what justice means in that particular situation to that character.
Thanks Janet. Poor Old Grandpa Merridew, he was a vile human being wasn’t he, even before his nastiness tipped over into madness. I think I’d rather dine with Great-Uncle Oswald.
And I agree with you about most people having quirks — in fact the older I get the more I think we’re all quite nutty in our own little ways. LOL But I love quirks and love it when characters spring up in my books and revel in their quirks.
Thanks Janet. Poor Old Grandpa Merridew, he was a vile human being wasn’t he, even before his nastiness tipped over into madness. I think I’d rather dine with Great-Uncle Oswald.
And I agree with you about most people having quirks — in fact the older I get the more I think we’re all quite nutty in our own little ways. LOL But I love quirks and love it when characters spring up in my books and revel in their quirks.
Thanks Janet. Poor Old Grandpa Merridew, he was a vile human being wasn’t he, even before his nastiness tipped over into madness. I think I’d rather dine with Great-Uncle Oswald.
And I agree with you about most people having quirks — in fact the older I get the more I think we’re all quite nutty in our own little ways. LOL But I love quirks and love it when characters spring up in my books and revel in their quirks.
Thanks Janet. Poor Old Grandpa Merridew, he was a vile human being wasn’t he, even before his nastiness tipped over into madness. I think I’d rather dine with Great-Uncle Oswald.
And I agree with you about most people having quirks — in fact the older I get the more I think we’re all quite nutty in our own little ways. LOL But I love quirks and love it when characters spring up in my books and revel in their quirks.
Thanks Janet. Poor Old Grandpa Merridew, he was a vile human being wasn’t he, even before his nastiness tipped over into madness. I think I’d rather dine with Great-Uncle Oswald.
And I agree with you about most people having quirks — in fact the older I get the more I think we’re all quite nutty in our own little ways. LOL But I love quirks and love it when characters spring up in my books and revel in their quirks.
Julie McElwain has a series called In Time, which is a time slip series. I like the heroine, Kendra Donavan, and if I found myself transported to Regency England the way she was, I would like to meet her for mutual support.
I haven’t read a character that reminded me of someone I know, but I have read dialogue that was verbatim to conversations with others in the past.
It felt depressing to have such a sad flashback I didn’t expect in reading a scene about a totally different subject.
Julie McElwain has a series called In Time, which is a time slip series. I like the heroine, Kendra Donavan, and if I found myself transported to Regency England the way she was, I would like to meet her for mutual support.
I haven’t read a character that reminded me of someone I know, but I have read dialogue that was verbatim to conversations with others in the past.
It felt depressing to have such a sad flashback I didn’t expect in reading a scene about a totally different subject.
Julie McElwain has a series called In Time, which is a time slip series. I like the heroine, Kendra Donavan, and if I found myself transported to Regency England the way she was, I would like to meet her for mutual support.
I haven’t read a character that reminded me of someone I know, but I have read dialogue that was verbatim to conversations with others in the past.
It felt depressing to have such a sad flashback I didn’t expect in reading a scene about a totally different subject.
Julie McElwain has a series called In Time, which is a time slip series. I like the heroine, Kendra Donavan, and if I found myself transported to Regency England the way she was, I would like to meet her for mutual support.
I haven’t read a character that reminded me of someone I know, but I have read dialogue that was verbatim to conversations with others in the past.
It felt depressing to have such a sad flashback I didn’t expect in reading a scene about a totally different subject.
Julie McElwain has a series called In Time, which is a time slip series. I like the heroine, Kendra Donavan, and if I found myself transported to Regency England the way she was, I would like to meet her for mutual support.
I haven’t read a character that reminded me of someone I know, but I have read dialogue that was verbatim to conversations with others in the past.
It felt depressing to have such a sad flashback I didn’t expect in reading a scene about a totally different subject.
Yes, that is the Paladin.
Yes, that is the Paladin.
Yes, that is the Paladin.
Yes, that is the Paladin.
Yes, that is the Paladin.
I wish I had the imagination to invent a whole set of different characters that were nothing like myself, but alas, I do not! The characters in books seem real to me. Only rarely will some trait in a fictional character remind me of a real person I know.
I wish I had the imagination to invent a whole set of different characters that were nothing like myself, but alas, I do not! The characters in books seem real to me. Only rarely will some trait in a fictional character remind me of a real person I know.
I wish I had the imagination to invent a whole set of different characters that were nothing like myself, but alas, I do not! The characters in books seem real to me. Only rarely will some trait in a fictional character remind me of a real person I know.
I wish I had the imagination to invent a whole set of different characters that were nothing like myself, but alas, I do not! The characters in books seem real to me. Only rarely will some trait in a fictional character remind me of a real person I know.
I wish I had the imagination to invent a whole set of different characters that were nothing like myself, but alas, I do not! The characters in books seem real to me. Only rarely will some trait in a fictional character remind me of a real person I know.
Thanks for this interesting post.
I have seen parts of people I know in characters in some stories. There are qualities in friends and family members which come through in some fictional characters.
But, I have always figured every author I know has skills. Those skills allow them to create characters and stories which make me and other readers very happy.
Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
Thanks for this interesting post.
I have seen parts of people I know in characters in some stories. There are qualities in friends and family members which come through in some fictional characters.
But, I have always figured every author I know has skills. Those skills allow them to create characters and stories which make me and other readers very happy.
Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
Thanks for this interesting post.
I have seen parts of people I know in characters in some stories. There are qualities in friends and family members which come through in some fictional characters.
But, I have always figured every author I know has skills. Those skills allow them to create characters and stories which make me and other readers very happy.
Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
Thanks for this interesting post.
I have seen parts of people I know in characters in some stories. There are qualities in friends and family members which come through in some fictional characters.
But, I have always figured every author I know has skills. Those skills allow them to create characters and stories which make me and other readers very happy.
Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
Thanks for this interesting post.
I have seen parts of people I know in characters in some stories. There are qualities in friends and family members which come through in some fictional characters.
But, I have always figured every author I know has skills. Those skills allow them to create characters and stories which make me and other readers very happy.
Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.
It is always interesting to read about the process you writers go through to create the wonderful stories that you do.
I think that most of the characters that are interesting have qualities of people I have met in real life. As for meeting these characters – well there is no need because I visit my favorite ones in the books you folks create. Some I visit again and again. I’m talking to you Wulfric.
It is always interesting to read about the process you writers go through to create the wonderful stories that you do.
I think that most of the characters that are interesting have qualities of people I have met in real life. As for meeting these characters – well there is no need because I visit my favorite ones in the books you folks create. Some I visit again and again. I’m talking to you Wulfric.
It is always interesting to read about the process you writers go through to create the wonderful stories that you do.
I think that most of the characters that are interesting have qualities of people I have met in real life. As for meeting these characters – well there is no need because I visit my favorite ones in the books you folks create. Some I visit again and again. I’m talking to you Wulfric.
It is always interesting to read about the process you writers go through to create the wonderful stories that you do.
I think that most of the characters that are interesting have qualities of people I have met in real life. As for meeting these characters – well there is no need because I visit my favorite ones in the books you folks create. Some I visit again and again. I’m talking to you Wulfric.
It is always interesting to read about the process you writers go through to create the wonderful stories that you do.
I think that most of the characters that are interesting have qualities of people I have met in real life. As for meeting these characters – well there is no need because I visit my favorite ones in the books you folks create. Some I visit again and again. I’m talking to you Wulfric.
I like one author who has a variety of heroines. Still, I always think that she is describing herself or the herself she wished she was.Few characters of any author otherwise remind me of specific people. Various qualities of people like integrity are what I admire. In my attempts to write novels, I might use descriptions of people I know or qualities of character of them just as I have used street names for names of people. Our imaginations have to be built on something we have read, known, seen, or heard.
I like one author who has a variety of heroines. Still, I always think that she is describing herself or the herself she wished she was.Few characters of any author otherwise remind me of specific people. Various qualities of people like integrity are what I admire. In my attempts to write novels, I might use descriptions of people I know or qualities of character of them just as I have used street names for names of people. Our imaginations have to be built on something we have read, known, seen, or heard.
I like one author who has a variety of heroines. Still, I always think that she is describing herself or the herself she wished she was.Few characters of any author otherwise remind me of specific people. Various qualities of people like integrity are what I admire. In my attempts to write novels, I might use descriptions of people I know or qualities of character of them just as I have used street names for names of people. Our imaginations have to be built on something we have read, known, seen, or heard.
I like one author who has a variety of heroines. Still, I always think that she is describing herself or the herself she wished she was.Few characters of any author otherwise remind me of specific people. Various qualities of people like integrity are what I admire. In my attempts to write novels, I might use descriptions of people I know or qualities of character of them just as I have used street names for names of people. Our imaginations have to be built on something we have read, known, seen, or heard.
I like one author who has a variety of heroines. Still, I always think that she is describing herself or the herself she wished she was.Few characters of any author otherwise remind me of specific people. Various qualities of people like integrity are what I admire. In my attempts to write novels, I might use descriptions of people I know or qualities of character of them just as I have used street names for names of people. Our imaginations have to be built on something we have read, known, seen, or heard.
I resonated with Mary Jo’s comment, Anne, and your response, as I was wondering if your characters might not reflect your personality so much as your perspective or attitudes about particular issues, such as a woman’s assumed dependence on marriage in Regency times, or, as you said, achieving justice.
A character I would much enjoy meeting would be Jane Austen, as she is portrayed in the mystery series by Stephanie Barron. Barron does such an excellent job of “translating” what we know of the real Jane into the fictional Jane. I think I’m going down a rabbit hole here, to suggest meeting a fictional character because I’ll never meet the real one!
I resonated with Mary Jo’s comment, Anne, and your response, as I was wondering if your characters might not reflect your personality so much as your perspective or attitudes about particular issues, such as a woman’s assumed dependence on marriage in Regency times, or, as you said, achieving justice.
A character I would much enjoy meeting would be Jane Austen, as she is portrayed in the mystery series by Stephanie Barron. Barron does such an excellent job of “translating” what we know of the real Jane into the fictional Jane. I think I’m going down a rabbit hole here, to suggest meeting a fictional character because I’ll never meet the real one!
I resonated with Mary Jo’s comment, Anne, and your response, as I was wondering if your characters might not reflect your personality so much as your perspective or attitudes about particular issues, such as a woman’s assumed dependence on marriage in Regency times, or, as you said, achieving justice.
A character I would much enjoy meeting would be Jane Austen, as she is portrayed in the mystery series by Stephanie Barron. Barron does such an excellent job of “translating” what we know of the real Jane into the fictional Jane. I think I’m going down a rabbit hole here, to suggest meeting a fictional character because I’ll never meet the real one!
I resonated with Mary Jo’s comment, Anne, and your response, as I was wondering if your characters might not reflect your personality so much as your perspective or attitudes about particular issues, such as a woman’s assumed dependence on marriage in Regency times, or, as you said, achieving justice.
A character I would much enjoy meeting would be Jane Austen, as she is portrayed in the mystery series by Stephanie Barron. Barron does such an excellent job of “translating” what we know of the real Jane into the fictional Jane. I think I’m going down a rabbit hole here, to suggest meeting a fictional character because I’ll never meet the real one!
I resonated with Mary Jo’s comment, Anne, and your response, as I was wondering if your characters might not reflect your personality so much as your perspective or attitudes about particular issues, such as a woman’s assumed dependence on marriage in Regency times, or, as you said, achieving justice.
A character I would much enjoy meeting would be Jane Austen, as she is portrayed in the mystery series by Stephanie Barron. Barron does such an excellent job of “translating” what we know of the real Jane into the fictional Jane. I think I’m going down a rabbit hole here, to suggest meeting a fictional character because I’ll never meet the real one!
I loved this question and posting. Thanks Anne for your reply.
Oh yes I fall in love with some of the male characters and approve of the women they chose. (a little envy) I love when I finish a book to imagine how it would be to meet someone like the one I just read about and admire. But since these books usually involve two – I admire them both for their best qualities and how they related to each other.
Sometimes a characters name will match someone I know and that can taint them, but I try not to let that happen.
I am eager to read your latest book, Anne. It has arrived but has to wait its turn which will not be too long.
I admire all of you authors for your imaginations and your writing skills. I thank each one as I complete a book for letting me enjoy another wonderful story.
(Thank you Mary Jo for “Once a Laird” I loved it)
I loved this question and posting. Thanks Anne for your reply.
Oh yes I fall in love with some of the male characters and approve of the women they chose. (a little envy) I love when I finish a book to imagine how it would be to meet someone like the one I just read about and admire. But since these books usually involve two – I admire them both for their best qualities and how they related to each other.
Sometimes a characters name will match someone I know and that can taint them, but I try not to let that happen.
I am eager to read your latest book, Anne. It has arrived but has to wait its turn which will not be too long.
I admire all of you authors for your imaginations and your writing skills. I thank each one as I complete a book for letting me enjoy another wonderful story.
(Thank you Mary Jo for “Once a Laird” I loved it)
I loved this question and posting. Thanks Anne for your reply.
Oh yes I fall in love with some of the male characters and approve of the women they chose. (a little envy) I love when I finish a book to imagine how it would be to meet someone like the one I just read about and admire. But since these books usually involve two – I admire them both for their best qualities and how they related to each other.
Sometimes a characters name will match someone I know and that can taint them, but I try not to let that happen.
I am eager to read your latest book, Anne. It has arrived but has to wait its turn which will not be too long.
I admire all of you authors for your imaginations and your writing skills. I thank each one as I complete a book for letting me enjoy another wonderful story.
(Thank you Mary Jo for “Once a Laird” I loved it)
I loved this question and posting. Thanks Anne for your reply.
Oh yes I fall in love with some of the male characters and approve of the women they chose. (a little envy) I love when I finish a book to imagine how it would be to meet someone like the one I just read about and admire. But since these books usually involve two – I admire them both for their best qualities and how they related to each other.
Sometimes a characters name will match someone I know and that can taint them, but I try not to let that happen.
I am eager to read your latest book, Anne. It has arrived but has to wait its turn which will not be too long.
I admire all of you authors for your imaginations and your writing skills. I thank each one as I complete a book for letting me enjoy another wonderful story.
(Thank you Mary Jo for “Once a Laird” I loved it)
I loved this question and posting. Thanks Anne for your reply.
Oh yes I fall in love with some of the male characters and approve of the women they chose. (a little envy) I love when I finish a book to imagine how it would be to meet someone like the one I just read about and admire. But since these books usually involve two – I admire them both for their best qualities and how they related to each other.
Sometimes a characters name will match someone I know and that can taint them, but I try not to let that happen.
I am eager to read your latest book, Anne. It has arrived but has to wait its turn which will not be too long.
I admire all of you authors for your imaginations and your writing skills. I thank each one as I complete a book for letting me enjoy another wonderful story.
(Thank you Mary Jo for “Once a Laird” I loved it)
Thanks, Patricia — I haven’t read that series. It sounds interesting — I enjoy time slip books. I think maybe time slip books have an advantage over straight historicals in that things can be explained to the modern character, or by seeing it through their eyes.
Maybe we wenches could to an AAW post about time slip one day. . .
Thanks, Patricia — I haven’t read that series. It sounds interesting — I enjoy time slip books. I think maybe time slip books have an advantage over straight historicals in that things can be explained to the modern character, or by seeing it through their eyes.
Maybe we wenches could to an AAW post about time slip one day. . .
Thanks, Patricia — I haven’t read that series. It sounds interesting — I enjoy time slip books. I think maybe time slip books have an advantage over straight historicals in that things can be explained to the modern character, or by seeing it through their eyes.
Maybe we wenches could to an AAW post about time slip one day. . .
Thanks, Patricia — I haven’t read that series. It sounds interesting — I enjoy time slip books. I think maybe time slip books have an advantage over straight historicals in that things can be explained to the modern character, or by seeing it through their eyes.
Maybe we wenches could to an AAW post about time slip one day. . .
Thanks, Patricia — I haven’t read that series. It sounds interesting — I enjoy time slip books. I think maybe time slip books have an advantage over straight historicals in that things can be explained to the modern character, or by seeing it through their eyes.
Maybe we wenches could to an AAW post about time slip one day. . .
Thanks Karin. Yes, I think characters in books tend to be larger than life — and we almost always have access to their innermost thoughts and vulnerabilities, whereas ordinary people might have larger than life thoughts and attitudes and ideas, but self-protection keeps them under wraps — and we rarely get to know their deepest thoughts and feelings.
Thanks Karin. Yes, I think characters in books tend to be larger than life — and we almost always have access to their innermost thoughts and vulnerabilities, whereas ordinary people might have larger than life thoughts and attitudes and ideas, but self-protection keeps them under wraps — and we rarely get to know their deepest thoughts and feelings.
Thanks Karin. Yes, I think characters in books tend to be larger than life — and we almost always have access to their innermost thoughts and vulnerabilities, whereas ordinary people might have larger than life thoughts and attitudes and ideas, but self-protection keeps them under wraps — and we rarely get to know their deepest thoughts and feelings.
Thanks Karin. Yes, I think characters in books tend to be larger than life — and we almost always have access to their innermost thoughts and vulnerabilities, whereas ordinary people might have larger than life thoughts and attitudes and ideas, but self-protection keeps them under wraps — and we rarely get to know their deepest thoughts and feelings.
Thanks Karin. Yes, I think characters in books tend to be larger than life — and we almost always have access to their innermost thoughts and vulnerabilities, whereas ordinary people might have larger than life thoughts and attitudes and ideas, but self-protection keeps them under wraps — and we rarely get to know their deepest thoughts and feelings.
Thanks, Annette. I think it’s important that fictional characters feel real in some way, and hopefully some should to remind you of real people — but not too much. *g* Keep well.
Thanks, Annette. I think it’s important that fictional characters feel real in some way, and hopefully some should to remind you of real people — but not too much. *g* Keep well.
Thanks, Annette. I think it’s important that fictional characters feel real in some way, and hopefully some should to remind you of real people — but not too much. *g* Keep well.
Thanks, Annette. I think it’s important that fictional characters feel real in some way, and hopefully some should to remind you of real people — but not too much. *g* Keep well.
Thanks, Annette. I think it’s important that fictional characters feel real in some way, and hopefully some should to remind you of real people — but not too much. *g* Keep well.
Thanks, Mary. It’s so convenient to have people on tap in books, isn’t it? And Wulfric is there, just waiting . . . LOL
Thanks, Mary. It’s so convenient to have people on tap in books, isn’t it? And Wulfric is there, just waiting . . . LOL
Thanks, Mary. It’s so convenient to have people on tap in books, isn’t it? And Wulfric is there, just waiting . . . LOL
Thanks, Mary. It’s so convenient to have people on tap in books, isn’t it? And Wulfric is there, just waiting . . . LOL
Thanks, Mary. It’s so convenient to have people on tap in books, isn’t it? And Wulfric is there, just waiting . . . LOL
That’s an interesting take on things, Nancy. Thank you. Yes, of course, our imaginations are inspired by our experience, but much of what an imagination can come up with is often pure imagination, rather than reality. I wonder whether that author you mentioned is describing herself as she wished she was, or creating a character that she thinks readers will love. I suppose we’ll never know.
That’s an interesting take on things, Nancy. Thank you. Yes, of course, our imaginations are inspired by our experience, but much of what an imagination can come up with is often pure imagination, rather than reality. I wonder whether that author you mentioned is describing herself as she wished she was, or creating a character that she thinks readers will love. I suppose we’ll never know.
That’s an interesting take on things, Nancy. Thank you. Yes, of course, our imaginations are inspired by our experience, but much of what an imagination can come up with is often pure imagination, rather than reality. I wonder whether that author you mentioned is describing herself as she wished she was, or creating a character that she thinks readers will love. I suppose we’ll never know.
That’s an interesting take on things, Nancy. Thank you. Yes, of course, our imaginations are inspired by our experience, but much of what an imagination can come up with is often pure imagination, rather than reality. I wonder whether that author you mentioned is describing herself as she wished she was, or creating a character that she thinks readers will love. I suppose we’ll never know.
That’s an interesting take on things, Nancy. Thank you. Yes, of course, our imaginations are inspired by our experience, but much of what an imagination can come up with is often pure imagination, rather than reality. I wonder whether that author you mentioned is describing herself as she wished she was, or creating a character that she thinks readers will love. I suppose we’ll never know.
Thanks, Constance. I think you’re right about our characters reflecting our attitudes. I know I can never write a hero I don’t like. Even though he might start out looking like a jerk, I know there are reasons for his behavior and that he’s redeemable.
And my female characters do often reflect on things that I believe too, while (I hope) not being anachronistic.
I haven’t read the Stephanie Barron series. Sounds like fun. Thanks.
Thanks, Constance. I think you’re right about our characters reflecting our attitudes. I know I can never write a hero I don’t like. Even though he might start out looking like a jerk, I know there are reasons for his behavior and that he’s redeemable.
And my female characters do often reflect on things that I believe too, while (I hope) not being anachronistic.
I haven’t read the Stephanie Barron series. Sounds like fun. Thanks.
Thanks, Constance. I think you’re right about our characters reflecting our attitudes. I know I can never write a hero I don’t like. Even though he might start out looking like a jerk, I know there are reasons for his behavior and that he’s redeemable.
And my female characters do often reflect on things that I believe too, while (I hope) not being anachronistic.
I haven’t read the Stephanie Barron series. Sounds like fun. Thanks.
Thanks, Constance. I think you’re right about our characters reflecting our attitudes. I know I can never write a hero I don’t like. Even though he might start out looking like a jerk, I know there are reasons for his behavior and that he’s redeemable.
And my female characters do often reflect on things that I believe too, while (I hope) not being anachronistic.
I haven’t read the Stephanie Barron series. Sounds like fun. Thanks.
Thanks, Constance. I think you’re right about our characters reflecting our attitudes. I know I can never write a hero I don’t like. Even though he might start out looking like a jerk, I know there are reasons for his behavior and that he’s redeemable.
And my female characters do often reflect on things that I believe too, while (I hope) not being anachronistic.
I haven’t read the Stephanie Barron series. Sounds like fun. Thanks.
Thanks, Margot — I hear you on characters’ names tainting them — there are some names I’ll never use because of their association with real people in my life. But even when I come across them in other books, it soon get attached to the fictional character and forget about the association.
And Mary Jo’s “Once a Laird” is fab, isn’t it? I’m interviewing her about it when it comes out.
Thanks, Margot — I hear you on characters’ names tainting them — there are some names I’ll never use because of their association with real people in my life. But even when I come across them in other books, it soon get attached to the fictional character and forget about the association.
And Mary Jo’s “Once a Laird” is fab, isn’t it? I’m interviewing her about it when it comes out.
Thanks, Margot — I hear you on characters’ names tainting them — there are some names I’ll never use because of their association with real people in my life. But even when I come across them in other books, it soon get attached to the fictional character and forget about the association.
And Mary Jo’s “Once a Laird” is fab, isn’t it? I’m interviewing her about it when it comes out.
Thanks, Margot — I hear you on characters’ names tainting them — there are some names I’ll never use because of their association with real people in my life. But even when I come across them in other books, it soon get attached to the fictional character and forget about the association.
And Mary Jo’s “Once a Laird” is fab, isn’t it? I’m interviewing her about it when it comes out.
Thanks, Margot — I hear you on characters’ names tainting them — there are some names I’ll never use because of their association with real people in my life. But even when I come across them in other books, it soon get attached to the fictional character and forget about the association.
And Mary Jo’s “Once a Laird” is fab, isn’t it? I’m interviewing her about it when it comes out.