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#IWSG Inserting Yourself into Your Characters #amwriting


Doh! I almost forgot IWSG two months in a row (busy fall at my day job). Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for creating this supportive group.


October's Question: Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?

Oh, yes, in multiple books, on purpose. (That sounds narcissistic!) As a psychologist/author (psycho author), I throw all of my characters into therapy, and the therapist character often channels me in some way. And in my swimming novel, Streamline, the heroine's friend was a backstroker who struggled with her body image--also autobiographical.

I look forward to hearing how other authors have inserted themselves into their characters.

How is your writing? I'm 80% done with my romantic suspense and I'm really excited about releasing it into the world maybe January or February of 2018. I keep changing the title (my original idea was Twin Sacrifice) and my latest brainstorm is My Life For My Brother. How does that title sound to you?

Comments

I didn't know you were a swimmer as well.
Jennifer Lane said…
Hey Alex, yep, I started swimming competitively, year-round, at age 8 and swam in college (as well as played volleyball). Now I swim a couple of miles 1-2 times a week!
Kennedy and Roosevelt were both swimmers so you're in great company. :-) I use also use my counseling experiences to craft characters that seem believable and authentic. Best of sales.
Nick Wilford said…
It's fun to include some personal elements, it can also help things feel more authentic. Good luck with your upcoming release!
Olga Godim said…
A swimmer, a psychologist, and a writer - you're a truly versatile person.
Cherie Colyer said…
They say write what you know. :) I really enjoyed the therapy sessions in the Conduct Series.

I like both titles. Twin Sacrifice sounds like a thriller to me, whereas My Life for My Brothers sounds like a drama.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
My first fiction book was about an Olympic swimmer. While I couldn't relate to that (love to swim but I'm not fast and prefer to just hang out underwater) a lot of me ended up in many of the characters.
Tamara Narayan said…
Both of those titles sound good to me. Good luck on choosing one.