Today's quote:
"If writers stopped writing about what happened to them, then there would be a lot of empty pages" Elaine Liner
It's true. Most of our writing is derived from our experiences in real life. I think if we didn't have experiences that we thought were worth writing about, our lives would be pretty dull. The sad thing is, not everyone wants to write about them.
Setting, characters, motivation... they can come from anywhere--places we've visited, people we've met, things we've done.
We all have a story to tell.
Sometimes though, I think it's about the story you want to create.
A lot of my writing comes from my imagination, with a tiny bit of my experiences thrown in here and there for good measure. Depending on the day, and my mood, there may be more or less.
But a lot of it comes from things I wonder about, things that take up room in my brain, and give life to my imagination. It's the stuff that keeps me up at night, thinking, "now, wouldn't that be cool".
I guess at the end of the day, you need to do what feels comfortable for you - there's no right or wrong way.
Do you write mostly from your own experiences, or do you write based upon something you've created in your head?
18 comments:
I can't even tell the difference between the two anymore. My seven main characters all have parts of me and my experiences. So much, that between the seven of them, they have absolutely everything. The thing is though, is that people who knew me, may not even realize it, let alone a random reader because all of that is so entwined with things I wonder about, things I'd never dream of doing/being. Also, considering it's fantasy.....well, I've never experienced any of that side of things. I just don't think our experiences and our imaginations are that easy to separate, not when you really get down to it.
After all, everything we are is based on our past...our imagination is no different.
I really enjoyed reading the posts on your blog. I would like to invite you to come on over to my blog and check it out. God bless, Lloyd
I'd say it's a little bit of both for me. Life is inspiring and sometimes more fantastical than what I could think up. The city streets are filled with eclectic characters as much as my own backyard is. What I find amusing is how the people in my small circle want to know if they will read about themselves in my books. Most of the time not.
Interesting question. I think it's a bit of both, actually. I can't escape my own persepctives and experiences, no matter where I set the story!
I like how you put it - "a tiny bit of my experiences thrown in here and there". To me, that's writing.
From my head but little scene here and there are from experience.
Most of it's in my head - places I would like to visit.
Lol, my life is pretty boring, so most of what I write is completely made up. I take traits from people I've met and use bits and pieces in my characters, though.
Some of my writing is based on life experience. There's a little of me in every character. At the same time a lot of my writing is based on research and imagination because I have no experience to base it on. I can only imagine and try to tell a truthful story by finding out about other people's experiences. I often feel like I learn a great deal when I write stories like that.
Jai
As I am still rather a "young" writer, I tend to focus on incorporating my own experiences into my work. But once I get more comfortable with the type of writing style/voice I have, I want to be more creative while writing scenes and use my imagination more.
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
I write from a bit of both: experiences and imagination...and I often research so I can learn more about a subject if I haven't experienced it myself.
Now that you mention it, I guess I write the emotion stuff more from experiences but the setting is something I create in my head. A new place to visit! Thanks for the question :-)
I used to infuse my ideas and opinions into my MC, but now they are totally fiction with only a hint of me in them, ha ha.
For me it's all about the wonder and the what if :)
I seem to write mostly from my experience and then embellish on them for fiction. I wish I had a better imagination though!
I take situations from real life and then fictionalize them. Real life is my point of reference. I can't help it.
Definitely both. And when I hear of some new government (UK) or European Union regulation, I immediately start dreaming up ways to get round them!
Both for me, as well.
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