One of the questions I get asked a lot is if there's pieces of me within my stories. I think as a writer, it's hard not to do it, but make no mistake . . . each character has his or her own journey to take. They may share similar quirks or characteristics, but it's them, not me, in the book.
That's the beauty of fiction. It's a make believe world, even with realistic themes, where the hero or heroine is able to experience situations, find love, make mistakes, face challenges, and conquer the world. Because there's so many different possibilities in real life, the same is true within each story.
What you do or choose in your world, may not be the same in theirs.
As a reader, I've always felt it's not my place to push my expectations, judgments, and beliefs on the character, and I've taken that same stance as an author. I've made it a priority to remain sensitive to their voices so I stay true to their stories. It's their process, their journey, their outcome to reach. It doesn't matter if it drives me nuts or whether I would've handled it differently.There's a reason why each hero and heroine makes the choices they do -- real or not--they've had different lives.
If a character has served in the military, the way they view the world may not be the same.
If a character has lived through abuse, the way they respond to the world may not be different.
If a character chooses to give a second chance …
If a character doesn't see there's a problem just yet …
If a character fights even though things are hopeless
If a character hasn't faced similar challenges to the reader …
See the pattern?
One of the challenges as a reader is the ability to leave behind our own prejudices/experiences/beliefs and simply become a part of someone else's. It's interesting to see whether you'd do the same in their shoes. Maybe you'd do something different. But who's right? Who's wrong?
The question is: does there have to be one?
Characters may be an author's imagination put on paper, but they can represent the very best and the very worst of what it is to be human. Even when they're supernatural, each nature is diverse and beautiful. Don't get so caught up in trying to put characters into boxes, that you miss the beauty of the story. While there are books out there that don't resonate with every reader, and you need to stay true to you, let each character do the same. . . be them.
Let them tell you their story.
I promise you, it'll be worth it.
That's the beauty of fiction. It's a make believe world, even with realistic themes, where the hero or heroine is able to experience situations, find love, make mistakes, face challenges, and conquer the world. Because there's so many different possibilities in real life, the same is true within each story.
What you do or choose in your world, may not be the same in theirs.
As a reader, I've always felt it's not my place to push my expectations, judgments, and beliefs on the character, and I've taken that same stance as an author. I've made it a priority to remain sensitive to their voices so I stay true to their stories. It's their process, their journey, their outcome to reach. It doesn't matter if it drives me nuts or whether I would've handled it differently.There's a reason why each hero and heroine makes the choices they do -- real or not--they've had different lives.
If a character has served in the military, the way they view the world may not be the same.
If a character has lived through abuse, the way they respond to the world may not be different.
If a character chooses to give a second chance …
If a character doesn't see there's a problem just yet …
If a character fights even though things are hopeless
If a character hasn't faced similar challenges to the reader …
See the pattern?
One of the challenges as a reader is the ability to leave behind our own prejudices/experiences/beliefs and simply become a part of someone else's. It's interesting to see whether you'd do the same in their shoes. Maybe you'd do something different. But who's right? Who's wrong?
The question is: does there have to be one?
Characters may be an author's imagination put on paper, but they can represent the very best and the very worst of what it is to be human. Even when they're supernatural, each nature is diverse and beautiful. Don't get so caught up in trying to put characters into boxes, that you miss the beauty of the story. While there are books out there that don't resonate with every reader, and you need to stay true to you, let each character do the same. . . be them.
Let them tell you their story.
I promise you, it'll be worth it.