An Unhealthy Attachment to Characters

As a writer, ending a book is incredibly satisfying and sad all at the same time. Satisfying for obvious reasons, but sad because it’s saying good-bye to people who have consumed my mind for so long. Yes, I know they aren’t “real”. How can I get all worked up over something I made up in my head? Well, that’s just the thing. Sometimes make-believe can become more real than reality. When my book ends, their world ends. And to me, that is a sad thing. Perhaps I could avoid this whole mess if I came up with an idea for a series (it would at least be prolonging the inevitable… because every story’s got to end at some point).

I love meeting my characters. They pop out of nowhere. I’ll see an elderly guy at a grocery store and something about this person strikes a cord – and a whole new character takes shape in my mind. One time, I saw a young, blind girl at church holding hands with who I assumed was her dad – and oh boy, did the ideas start rollin‘. Doesn’t that sort of make you wonder if you’ve ever been the spark that ignited a character in a writer’s mind? Weird, right?

To me, first meeting a character is like a really awesome first date with that guy who always made my tongue a little dry and my knees a little weak. It’s such a honeymoon. I fall in love with them almost to the point of obsession. (I have a very obsessive personality. Just ask my husband about Sims and hermit crabs and he’ll tell you all about how obsessed I can get with certain things.) It’s one of my most favorite things as a writer – creating characters. And right now I am more than a little pumped about the characters in my newest story.

Fun Writing News: I am so stoked about my current work in progress. This will be my third novel, and I think it’s going to blow my other two out of the water. Or at least I hope so. I don’t have a title for it yet – which drives me slightly bonkers. So if you happen to have any titles floating in your head that you wouldn’t mind putting up for adoption – I would more than gladly take them into my home and love them like my own. In its most raw form, the story centers on a relationship between two estranged best friends – and that’s all I’m saying. So if you think you can work with that – I’m not kidding – send the titles this-a-way.

Question to Ponder: If your life were a novel, what would it be titled? Ooo – that’s kinda fun!removetweetmeme

8 thoughts on “An Unhealthy Attachment to Characters

  1. Katie

    Okay bro, I was laughing out loud when I read your comment… especially the novel titles for your life. Very you. And for some reason – I love the title “The Sandbox”. It sort of catches your attention, doesn’t it? Only problem is…. there’s no sandbox in my story. Maybe some sort of deep metaphor? Hmmm…. I also like “And So You Go.” Yea… I like that one. I also reposted my other topic… I must have forgotten to publish after I edited it.

     
     
  2. Ryan_McGivern

    Cool post! I know what you mean about falling in love with your characters. I have a bunch of characters in my head whom I adore…although a lot of them are glaring at me with their arms crossed and annoyingly tapping their toes waiting for me to put them into scenes (aka I need to start writing!)

    Since I have not finished a story I can’t relate yet to what it is like when you are finished with their story, but I got to imagine it is definitely a sad time. I do know it is tough as a reader to let go sometimes as mentioned above.

    Some possible title ideas: “The Sandbox”
    “Best Friends Gone”
    “Remembering You”
    “And So It Goes” or “And So You Go”
    Very random eh?

    If my life were a novel I think I would want the title to be: “Ryan McGivern: My Goodness What a Man” (lol 🙂 or maybe “I Swear Dragons are Real” (ok, I better stop there)

     
     
  3. SeanF

    As a reader I feel the same way about characters. So many times I finish a book and find myself missing several of the people I’ve been reading about. The problem is that I usually take a while to finish a book because I read it at work during breaks and sometimes during lunch. I often wonder if I’m imagining the characters the same way as the writer intended. It’s one of the pleasures and frustrations as a reader. I have found several authors who have done series where the main characters continue on through a series of books, and then it’s really tough to let them go when I have to move on to another writer.
    Not sure what your new book is going to be but if it’s about two friends maybe “Side by Side” or “Anything for a friend”…
    I guess if I was going to title my life it could be as simple as “Maybe good spelling isn’t really that important after all”.

     
     
  4. Katie

    That made me laugh Erin, because I was totally that kid who gave my BFF in elementary school one of those necklaces! HA! See you tomorrow. =)

     
     
  5. Anonymous

    Katie, this is Erin from small group. I haven’t taken the time to figure out how to subscribe or get a profile or whatever so I’m “anonymous.” I can’t wait to start reading your work! I can’t think of anything I stink at more than writing, so this is probably stupid – but my friend Amy jokes that we’re such BFFs that she would wear the “St Ends” part of a friendship necklace if we had them. Silly, confusing title for a book though… Your book description made me think of that. Aren’t you glad that you don’t love me for my creativity? Good luck! See ya on Sunday!

     
     
  6. Anonymous

    Mine would be called “Junk Drawer”.
    -Mary

     
     
  7. Katie

    I’m so glad you are enjoying the blog Tracy! We definitely need to talk. I love writing – I wish I could do it full time (I’m sure you feel the same). I will definitely check out your blog sometime this weekend!

     
     
  8. tmoore2406

    Katie,

    This is Tracy (aka Griffin’s mom). Christina gave me the link to your blog and I’m so excited! I don’t know many people who LOVE writing as much as I do, so I’m having a blast reading your posts. We really need to chat sometime about writing, especially about when you find the time to do it. Unfortunately, Griffin isn’t the best sleeper, so between the sleep deprivation, full-time work, and having an active 12-year old at home, I struggle to find my “me time” (which translates to writing time).

    I can sypmathize with your obsessiveness – I have issues with cleaning (although you wouldn’t know it by looking at our house right now!) and the Food Network. They both drive my husband crazy. When it comes to writing, I love creating characters and I could spend hours writing dialogue in my head…now if only I could get it down on paper 🙂

    I have a blog, too, but it isn’t dedicated to writing. It’s more just general life stuff, but occasionally I do go on and on about how much I want to get back to writing and everything that seems to be keeping me from it 🙂 I’m at http://unencumberedlife.wordpress.com

    -Tracy

     
     

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