Think about it. Inception is a dream within a dream. Plotting an idea and making someone believe that that was their own to begin with. I try to do the same with some of my stories.
Suddenly before you is a character you seem to know all to well. Just their attitude and appearance sound hauntingly familiar. Who knows? Maybe you do know them. Maybe that's exactly the point. Read the story more and, yeah, okay, this character definitely rings a bell. Before you know it you realize that this character was that girl you met on the bus four years ago when you got caught in the rain. Or that jerk who tortured you in 7th grade because you were the first kid to get acne. Or even your brother who's hug you're now missing.
Did I know that girl you met? The jerk picking on you? Had your brother and I been introduced? No. But I take from the girl I met in haze. The jerk who made fun of me for what I couldn't control. And I can definitely make you like that was your who just opened his arms for a hug.
I take the things in my life, especially the small things, and expand them until they're clear. Then I go in and generalize them, without letting whatever or whoever lose the spark that made them important to begin with. So now not only do we have the main plot line I wrote going on, but at the same time you will be focused on that event or character, wondering what will happen, now feeling a secret second connection.
You wouldn't believe how easy it can become to do. You've got to enjoy the little things, or else your story won't be worth reading. No one wants to read a robot.
Off to write in my book! Who knows? You might be in the next chapter ;) Read carefully my friends.
JAMIE!! I just remembered an author you'd really like! Her name is Sylvia Plath and she wrote many brilliant poems [once I obtain a copy of her poetry I will lend you it] and also a more commonly known, The Bell Jar. [Matt has my copy I'll get it back for you my love.] I read it over the summer and into the begining of the school year in my darker times and oh my god. Her writing style and the overall plotline, breathtaking. I loved it and felt a tad bit worried that I related so well. ANYWAY. Just thought I'd tell you while it was on my mind and semi-related to the topic you have :)
ReplyDeletewow tanvi am impressed by how well this is written and I am very impressed by the examples of characters you gave. I myself have have constantely thought about going into writting and seeing others might have the same intrest motivates me to work even harder to achieve that goal. I can really see you as a writer given how wellyou write. Very well done.
ReplyDeleteJamie, your concept of taking the little details of people you know personally and turning them into story characters is incredible. Some of my favorite authors do this in their works too. That's what makes them my favorite authors:) That secret second connection with that character is definitely real. I'd love to read on of your works someday! :)
ReplyDeleteI really love your writing style. The whole concept of taking real life characters and putting them in a story is great. This way, the reader has a connection with the book which makes them even more interested in reading it.
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