ASKED: Are your books inspired by your experiences?
I’m often asked questions about writing in general … and about the specifics of my own experience with publishing. Since my answers might prove useful, I thought I’d be more systematic about answering them. Behold, a new kind of writerly chit-chat is born!
Q. This question is from openmeadow and came up during a Q&A session on 08/22/14:
How much of what your characters go through is inspired by what you are experiencing, either situational or emotional? As an author to a fledgling writer, how do you find that balance?
A. My life is entirely ordinary. (Well, as ordinary as my sort can manage.) So very little of what goes into my books comes from personal experience. These worlds are imaginary, yet real to me. No matter the setting, people think and feel and do in their own ordinary ways. Even fictional ones. However, since I am who I am, and I know what I know, part of me ends up in the story whether I meant it to or not. Like a child inheriting family traits, a book bears some resemblance to its author.
COMPARE NOTES:
��� What about you? Do you see yourself in your characters?
��� Which parts of your experiences lend a touch of reality to your storytelling?
There’s oodles of writing inspiration on my “Words” board over on Pinterest. Give it a browse!
If you have questions of an authorial nature, please visit the “Ask the Author” tab and leave a comment. Your curiosity may inspire an upcoming post!
