Carly's Ramblings Blog - Style

Mining For Past Inspiration and Character Generation

30 Day Blogging Challenge

PROMPT January 21st
How much of your own life or the lives of people you know do you put into your writing? Do you mine your past for inspiration, or do you create wholly new places and characters?
I let my own life experiences colour my character creations. I take bits and pieces from the world and the people around me and put them into something that I hope becomes a full, well rounded character complete with hopes, dreams and flaws. Making them as authentic as I can... and also not recognizable.

My main characters are often striving for something I would want for myself or if not the actual thing, the desire and the dream speaks to me.

My current character is a graphic artist. I am not, but she does desire a chance to make a way for herself. To better herself and find a place to belong. Those are things I want for myself, but I think that desire is a human compulsion.

Her relationship breakdown is not like my own, but I have dealt with heartbreak. With my character I have changed things up to make her situation far more compelling and dramatic than anything I have ever had to deal with.

The romantic lead is not like anyone I have ever dated, but the ex-boyfriend has elements of past boyfriends... though I have turned up the aspects of what may have happened with me to be more dramatic so that the conflict is intensified and holds my reader.

I have a character in another story that is similar to an ex-friend of mine, but I have toned her down because no one would believe anyone could be that shallow and self delusional. I also don't want her recognized, but still... her quirks make for an interesting character with lots of flaws.

I would say I mine my past for inspiration, but I also stay open to others around me for tidbits.

My favourite stories to write are based on our contemporary world. I don't write science fiction or fantasy. When it comes to places I try to do a combination of several places, especially if the place is not super familiar to me. My current story deals with a small town in the Muskoka area.... it has the feel of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Huntsville. My aunt and uncle have a cottage up there, but I want this to be my own feel so I will make up things and add details of my own. I am pretty sure I want to keep to the Canadian aspects.... but this area could be similar to areas of Maine. The City I have not named, but in my mind it is Toronto.... but I am not sure if I want to name it or create a City of my own using it as a base.