Is it wrong to put yourself into a story you write?

Question

Would it be sick to put a character extremely similar to yourself into a story and give them a different name?

I don't think it's just a way to start out, since it's easy to know yourself. It's also fun to put a character representing yourself in an adventure where they get to come out on top, isn't it?

But should it be considered creepy or sick, or maybe even egoistic?

Answer 1

Good idea, it would only make the story more authentic and believable. Most first novels or for that matter most successful novel do have some kind of autobiographical elements hidden in the subtext or sometimes within the main characters directly or indirectly, because you write because you want to experience an alternate reality than what you are experiencing right now, so go ahead and have fun, and make sure your authentic self comes shining through all the realities that you create for yourself and your readers.

Answer 2

I think it's an incredible idea to put yourself in your own story. People do it all the time. It's called an autobiography. They always say to write about what you know. Even to do a fiction piece with created characters interacting with you would be outstanding and fun.

Answer 3

It's not wrong to put yourself in your book as long as you're not vain and make yourself sound like the best thing ever, it's okay to put yourself in your book. I'm writing a book myself and there's a character that has a personality like me but with a different name. Don't feel bad and go ahead put yourself in your upcoming book.

Answer 4

Why not do it? Stephen King put himself in one of his stories, namely "The Dark Tower VI: Song of Suzannah." It actually sort of helps explain how he came up with the idea for that epic in the first place.

You're on the right track -- write about what you know. Every character you make up should have at least a little bit of you in him/her. That'll help you "identify" with the characters and will help you develop them into believable "people" that the readers will identify with.

Answer 5

n, not at all. Author base a character off of themselves all the time. What better person to get inspiration from but yourself. It is a bit egotistic, but you know yourself better than you know anyone else, you know how you act, what you like, how you think, so why not base a character on yourself?I think it's fine

Answer 6

Stephen King wrote himself into the DarkTower series, and I thought it made it rather hokey. Depends on the story though, I guess. I'm sure there are many writers who base characters on themselves. The key thing to remember is that you are the author, so it's up to you to make it creepy, sick or otherwise. Good luck! :-)

Answer 7

No it isn't wrong. Most people that write base their characters on something in the real world anyway. Whether it is a dog, cat, friend, parent, sibling or even themselves.

They also combine people to create one character, perhaps using the good and bad traits of multiple people they know to form a single character in their writing.

I am a novice writer myself, and tend to through myself in various forms (taller, shorter, better looking, fatter, skinnier, etc. etc.) in most of my writings. The main character I use in my writings is actually based on how I wish I were.

Answer 8

I don't think so. Clive Cussler has put himself in several of his Dirk Pitt novels and the context seems to fit the situation very well. So, if you can do the same, it would make the storyline more plausible and more humorous as well.

Answer 9

No way! When I write, I almost always base the main character off of myself. That way, it makes it a lot easier for you to make it clear to your readers what the main character is thinking, because it would be whatever YOU would be thinking in that situation. If you can relate to your characters, it makes it easier for our readers to relate to them.

Go for it!
:)

Answer 10

As my writing teacher would say, "Write what you know." What you know is yourself, so why not? Plenty of authors put themselves in their books. Even artists paint themselves somewhere in the back of their paintings. There's no problem with it at all.