Did you ever want to get even with somebody by putting them in your book? Don’t waste your time.
I always regret it when I create a character because I have a beef with someone or because there’s somebody who is so appalling or frustrating that I just have to write about them. They always end up looking cartoonish or pointless. You can’t put a person in a story for your own gratification alone, which totally blows the idea of getting even with anybody through your writing.
Bummer, huh? So here’s your bottom line: if it doesn’t SERVE THE STORY, it shouldn’t be in there.
Hi Linda,
I agree in one aspect but disagree in another. Revenge is a bad motivater, however I think you can use a real person whether you like him/her or not as a basis for a character. They come with built in idiosyncracies, but you still have to fictionalize a good character chart complete with history, physciological, sociological and psychological etc aspects. Characters come from everywhere your imagination can grab them from. Just be sure to change their names.
You are so right about the sources of characters, Mike. BTW, great to hear from my Cincy friends. Hope you are well. – Lynne