...and those around you? Or maybe get little ideas here and there? I wouldn't want everyone I know upset because I went and wrote about about what's going on with them.
Lately, I write down everything I go through and everything I witness...I find it helps when I go into writers block. Any suggestions?
Thank you.
2007-08-23 04:47:11 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Sure, most inspiration for fiction is taken from real life. If you are putting people you know into the story, you should change their names, of course, and also change any identifying details so that they won't be recognized. For instance, if your friend Marie always wears thrift store t-shirts, and likes to play the piano, your character Susan might dress very nicely always and be a painter. Just little things that aren't central to plot or characterization can make a huge difference in ensuring that no one recognizes who that character is. Even Marie might not realize that she's Susan!
2007-08-23 04:54:50 · answer #1 · answered by Pip 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are writing about something that happened to you, fictionalize it. If you are using people you know, the rule is change THREE things about them.
For instance, if your neighbor is white, has two kids and is married, change him to being single, half-Asian, and no kids. Oh, and definitely change the name. You can also change age up or down the scale and give him a nervous tic or a wooden leg.
It's actually more fun to start with the germ of an idea from your life and run with it. Limit it to one incident or plot, though. If you are serious about writing, you will pick up things here and there and use them, but always use them out of context with the real life incident.
For instance, I gave my fear of heights to my hero in THE MANHUNTER. I gave my basic insecurity and longing for a family to the heroine.
My father once told me of sliding down a telegraph pole and the injuries he received from "burning the pole". I used that in THE BLOOD CIRCLE when a sailor burned the mast. Same kind of injuries, different setting.
I also have a first hand account of a public beheading in Kuwait (1974) which I will use someday when a story calls for it.
Oh, when you run into someone who has had a unique experience or one you are not likely to have yourself, interview them about it. They will be complimented to be able to tell their story in detail and you can rush home and write down the pertinent points for your own use.
2007-08-23 05:01:51 · answer #2 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its the most wonderful idea o write a novel loosly based on your life or events in your life...it is always so real because even though it will be exaggerated everything actually happend to some degree, and even if your lifes not that interesting, you can just make some stuff up here and there and you can rewrite your own life the way you wanted it
2007-08-23 05:03:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not smart, and probably not interesting.
Using those you know in novels opens you to law suits, and hatred.
It is a great idea to make notes of things you see and notice, and using them to get the juices flowing is special... keep it up. But write that book as pure fiction and don't try to build it around your life. That is not to say you can't use the feelings and things you've learned from your life, but fictionalize it, totally.
2007-08-23 04:53:59 · answer #4 · answered by Wanda K 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No! :D deffo no longer, that's kinda the entire ingredient of an autobiography. yet think of approximately Jane Eyre, particularly some that replaced into in keeping with Charlotte Bronte's existence stories. same with, Charles Dickens' no longer ordinary circumstances. And ya not at all understand possibly J ok Rowling is truly a wizard?! Nah heavily, i think of that's an excellent concept! desire this helps, sturdy success! :) x
2016-10-03 03:11:08 · answer #5 · answered by bedlion 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try writing what is know as a <"Roman a clef"(Roman ah clay)that is using real people&situations as a basis for a fictional story.Domminick Dunne has used this idea to great effect in novles like,"An Inconvieniant Woman"&"The Two Mrs.Greenvilles"
2007-08-23 08:02:56 · answer #6 · answered by TL 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess it's okay, but be careful to mix things up here and there. Unless you're writing a biography or one of those "based on a true story" books, you don't want folks to know it's all about you and those around you. You don't want to offend others or embarrass yourself.
2007-08-27 05:57:12 · answer #7 · answered by Raingirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds good to me, specially if you have had experiences which are worth being told.
Also, writing something based on reality is definitely easier than based on pure fiction. (When you write fiction, you often have to do at least some research).
All the best to you.
2007-08-23 05:44:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest using your experiences to write, but I would not write a 'novel' of my life - - - save that for the autobiography.
2007-08-23 05:15:23 · answer #9 · answered by The Corinthian 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends if you lead such a colorful, fascinating and interesting life.
Just write them all down, sort them later.
2007-08-23 05:06:18 · answer #10 · answered by zachmir 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋