IWSG Question of the Day: What personal traits have you written into your character(s)?
I had planned on opening this up with a quote, but damned if I can find it now. I thought I knew who said it, but…
The short version is I write characters that are both aspects of me as I am and those of who I wish I was.
Except for Silver. I don’t think I have anything in common with him.
Joking aside, Ketayl is the closest to me as she’s my oldest character. She’s gone through a couple of decades of changes and growing to become her own character until she found her way into the series I’m working on.
Does she have some of my traits? Yes. Some deeper ones than I’m prepared to discuss here. Those became part of her character before I even knew what they were.
To give a more direct answer, we’re both introverts. I know those who have only met me at events might not realize it as I end up shifting into a different mode for that time period. If you catch me out and about, it’s another story.
Since this is something I know intimately, the trait easily made it into Ketayl. And in one regard, I hope there are people out there who can connect with her because of it and see that it isn’t a limitation, but just one part of who she is.
My own traits often make it into other characters as well. One thing here, another there. And as I stated above, it could be an active trait or maybe one I wish I had. I’d spend way too long trying to figure out who has what.
It makes one wonder who else writes their traits into their characters. Also if readers connect with characters because they connect with the traits portrayed.
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Some writers say they don’t put any of their own traits into their work. Even so, I think in some way everyone does. Happy 4th! http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
Heh. I’m with you on the unobserved introversion. I get super anxious in crowds, and yet I’m a better salesperson face-to-face. Dude, giving workshops has me screaming in my mind every year saying, “why did I agree?” and yet when asked to participate, I always say, “sure, I can do that.” I just double up on the deodorant on those days and remind myself afterwards that I can lock myself in the bedroom closet where nobody, not even my kids, can find me (mad ninja skills).
I liked your comments about introverts. It’s probably hard to write about that if you aren’t one yourself. But I’d say, it’s a characteristic that interests readers.