I’ve often heard that an author’s first book is partly
autobiographical. I think there’s some truth to this. There’s a piece of
ourselves in all our characters. Without disputing the validity of the
autobiographical theory, I’d like to offer another theory as well:
Writing gives the author a chance to rewrite his or her life. As writers, we have an opportunity to take a piece our ourselves, add all those qualities we wish we had, and create the perfect hero—or ultimate villain. We can conquer seemingly insurmountable challenges without ever leaving the comfort of our own homes. We can write a new life and live it through our characters.
This seems to be a popular formula, particularly in young
adult or paranormal romance novels. Probably
the most successful example of the use of this formula is the Harry Potter series. Harry was the ultimate
underdog, and when JK Rowling plucked him from a life of abuse and neglect,
gave him magical gifts, and delivered him into a world where he was the hero,
readers cheered. Was there a little bit of JK in her character? Did she become
a part of Hogwarts the moment she placed her fingers on the keyboard?
I’ve tried to use the “Harry Potter formula” in my own young
adult fantasy series, The Claiming Words.
I love writing about the underdog. I love giving the shy, introverted girl
a chance to win the guy every other girl wants. I love transforming the
ordinary to the extraordinary. When I create a character, I can live through
them, even if it’s only for a while.
As authors, we can see the world through the eyes of our
favorite characters. We can be good or evil. Intelligent and strong. Magically
gifted, or the girl next door. We can survive by our wits. We can be tall or
short, rich or poor, outspoken or shy. We can become everything we’ve always
wanted to be. We can write our characters into trouble, give them the tools to
overcome their challenges, and write them out of trouble by the end of the
book.
We can write our way to a better life.
Tricia Drammeh is the author of The Claiming Words and The Fifth Circle. She currently lives with her family in St Charles, Missouri. The historic district is within walking distance and with every footstep down the brick-paved, haunted Main Street, she is transported to another time and her imagination takes flight. When she isn't writing, she can be found reading, drinking vast amounts of coffee, or hanging out with the multitude of animals who have taken over her home.
http://www.blog.triciadrammeh.com/
The Claiming Words
The Fifth Circle
I find your theory to be true. At times I feels as if I'm putting some of myself into the story or the characters that I write. I'm sure J.K. Rowling would agree because while she was writing the books she was going through a stage of depression. As a result the deamentors were born from her feelings of depression.
ReplyDeleteTo some degree this is true. I have an outline still about an immortal girl that I wrote when I was too sick to eat or get out of bed for months. There's a reason she was immortal.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Triciah, I really identified with it
ReplyDeleteThank you, Greg, for inviting to your wonderful blog. I'm honored to have been your first guest blogger. And, thanks to everyone who read or commented.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and entertaining, Tricia. I've shared and tweeted this!
ReplyDeleteI agree. There is a little piece of me in most of my characters.
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