I have been accused of being an emotional writer -- one who lets my everyday emotions seep into my characters lives. I totally, 100% agree. If something happens in my life to toss me off balance, then my MC gets thrown a curve ball. When I am happy, my characters succeed; when I am pissed, they get brutalized.
I am not sure this is a bad thing. It allows me to infuse my manuscript with heart-felt and intense emotion. Some of my best scenes, some of my most memorable lines have come out of a writing tear I was utilizing to vent. Conversely, so hasn’t some of my worst stuff.
So what about you? Does your writing . . . do your character’s paths mirror your emotions?
I used to say no to this but it has been brought to my attention that it does happen. When I write my chick lit novels I am normally still my same old quirky self because it's how I mirror my characters. However when I write a heavy YA novel or a Adult Thriller my mood changes until it's over. My husband is sweet enough to hang on to this bumpy roller coaster because he loves me so darn much!
ReplyDeleteIf something makes me angry, or if I'm particularly pi**ed off, I tend to write notes instead of pages. Nasty things do end up happening to the character, though. Maybe it's easier to think of dangerous stuff happening to your MC when you're not in a happy place :) Thank goodness for mixed emotions, right?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, I always torture my characters when I'm having a bad day. As a matter of fact, I create characters based on people who tick me off. After all I can get my revenge and not have to face consequences. LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm a very emotionally level person. If I based my characters on how I felt, my books would be so BORING!!
ReplyDeleteMy characters usually mirror what I'm going through at the time without my knowledge. It's only when I've really written their full character arcs that I can see the similarity. It's a great thing.
ReplyDeleteYup! I have a tendency to write bad things into character's lives when I am angry. It helps me cope and not be a raving lunatic in real life:) Fortunately, my writing partner has a very dark mind and doensn't question my sanity - yet LOL! Good post Trish!
ReplyDeleteNot so much current emotion. At least not yet. But, my first real crush is splashed across the pages of my WIP. Amazing how close it feels when it's there in black and white, even though it was 20+ years ago. I think it's why it works so well, though, ya know?
ReplyDeleteMy characters emotions rarely mirror mine, but I sometimes find it hard to get into their skin and absorb their emotions when mine are in the way. So I have to step back and not write until I'm a blank (as possible)slate again.
ReplyDeleteI've never consciously written my emotions into my characters. Hmm- this is something I will have to think about trying sometime-- see where it gets me!
ReplyDeleteProbably to some degree. Although that's one reason I write to music, to make myself channel the right emotions, rather than having my current emotions take my mss somewhere it wasn't supposed to go. ;)
ReplyDeleteHmm... if I'm upset or angry about something I actually can't concentrate enough to write. Mostly when I'm writing I just feel... normal :-) I don't think I have very intense emotions/mood swings!
ReplyDeleteI have to watch it, because if I'm feeling angry and resentful, my heroine gets especially angry, and that might not serve the scene's needs.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat with Catherine. I suppose it depends on if my mood coincides with the mood of the scene. If I'm sad and need to write a tearjerker, then it works out! If I'm happy and need to write a joyous reunion, whoot! But if I'm pissed and need to write a love scene... might not go over so well.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, thank you. If I'm really low I tend not to write at all (I'll read instead) but, like Ciara, I create characters out of people who have been rotten to me or my family. Very cathartic!
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