“That’s Not Me!”
Why do some writers of fiction get upset at the suggestion that one of their characters might be autobiographical? Do we think that fiction ought to be pure fiction? That every character must be totally made up and not based on ourselves or anyone we know or have crossed paths with? Do we feel it’s cheating to insert a bit of real life into our stories?
And yet, we want readers to see themselves or others in our fiction. Because that will help them to empathise with the protagonists, and empathy will help to connect them to the story. And they’re more likely to see themselves if characters are based on real people.
“Write what you know” is a tip often doled out to writers. What you know can be something you’ve researched well. But more often than not, it’s something you’ve experienced.
What’s wrong with writing about our own experiences? Why do some writers become defensive at the very suggestion?
I think all fiction contains a bit of the writer, whether intentionally or not. I don’t see a problem with that.
Of course, the experience or character that the author shares with their fictional story might be something or someone the author would prefer to keep private. If so, the author would be hard put to answer the question, “How much of xxx is autobiographical?” Even a refusal to answer it could lead to unwanted assumptions.
This is the basis for That’s Not Me, a series of guest posts from writers of fiction.
They will appear on this blog every Friday for however long I decide to continue the series.
If you want to contribute a post for the series, please let me know via Contact me above or Twitter or Facebook, after reading the rest of this post.
What can be in a post
- A personal account
- A fictional story
- A historical account
- A relevant extract from your fiction
What can’t be in a post
- Politics
- Racism
- Sexism
- Intolerance
That’s Not Me Posts So Far
| Guest Author and Link to Post | Date of Post |
| Joan Livingston | 4 August 2023 |
| Vanessa Couchman | 11 August 2023 |
| Jennifer C. Wilson | 18 August 2023 |
| Val Penny | 25 August 2023 |
| Mary Grand | 1 September 2023 |
| Angela Wren | 8 September 2023 |
| Nancy Jardine | 15 September 2023 |
| Tim Taylor | 22 September 2023 |
| Sue Barnard | 29 September 2023 |
| Jennifer C. Wilson | 6 October 2023 |
| Miriam Drori | 13 October 2023 |
| Ritu Bhathal | 27 October 2023 |
| Claudia Chianese | 3 November 2023 |
Miriam Drori, Author 