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Post by Julie on Jul 14, 2007 19:49:12 GMT -6
This is just a question to the other writers on the board - doesn't matter what kind of writing you do, whether it's fanfic or not.
The question is, do you write a lot based on your own personal experience? Or experiences of people you know? How much of your ideas come from real life events?
I was just watching the bonus features on my Bridge to Terabithia DVD, and the author of the book, Katherine Patterson, was interviewed, and she was talking about how she wrote that book as a way of helping her son to cope with the death of his best friend. I think it's tragic that that happened, but cool that she was able to turn it into something positive, this classic piece of children's literature.
I guess it's both a blessing and a curse that I've had a pretty good life so far; I don't have a lot of traumatic events to turn into story ideas, so most of what I write is purely made up. But I think that as you gain more life experience and bad or even just interesting things do happen to you, you become a better writer.
Just thought this would make an interesting discussion, so if you have a story behind a story that you wanna share, go for it!
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Jenna
Devoted Daydreamer
Nick Torturer
Posts: 128
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Post by Jenna on Jul 14, 2007 20:04:47 GMT -6
I have had a few traumatic experiences in my life so sometimes I put a "spin" on what I write and actually use my own experiences in my stories....(i.e.: trauma from a car accident, surgeries, etc.). I guess maybe that's why I don't really have to do much research on medical topics lol.
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Post by Julie on Jul 14, 2007 20:24:25 GMT -6
LOL this is messed up, but I put my car in the ditch for the first time this past winter, trying to drive in a snowstorm when the roads hadn't been plowed yet, and thankfully I didn't hurt myself or my car, but as I was sitting there in a car covered in snow, waiting for someone to come get me, I couldn't help but think, "Well... at least now I know how it feels to have your car careen out of control. That feeling will come in handy for my writing someday." I'm just lucky I had that "experience" without any real trauma going along with it.
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Post by kristy on Jul 14, 2007 20:37:39 GMT -6
I enjoy writing original stories more than I do fan fics. I love writing about my own personal experiences. Writing fan fic is fun, but It's easier and has a more sentimental vaule when I write stories about my life. I just enjoy it.
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Post by Laureen on Jul 14, 2007 21:03:46 GMT -6
I'm not a writer but I know you, Julie, have used my real life experiences to form Laureens character in BMS...and although Laureen in BMS is not an exact representation of me...its pretty damn close.
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Post by kristy on Jul 14, 2007 21:10:46 GMT -6
^That is cool, Laureen. I was wondering if the character was based soley on you, or if Julie just used your name.
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Post by Julie on Jul 14, 2007 22:51:31 GMT -6
It started out just being her name, as a cameo... I didn't even really know her that well then, just from her emailing me with feedback. ;D I think we actually started talking on IM so I could ask her questions about stuff for the story LOL. But now that I know her so well, I try to make the character like how I think she would really act... but it's still very much a fictionalization, since I've never hung out with her to see what she's like in real life, and since I have no idea what she'd be like if she were dating Nick LOL. Laureen, isn't it fun to be famous?
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Post by Laureen on Jul 14, 2007 23:49:07 GMT -6
Yep...thats right...I was a nurse in a chapter from Broken! And yes...it is fun being famous (even though Im not or anything special really)...Although its also weird. LMAO!! Especially with the personal info thats involved with Laureen in BMS because I'm not always comfortable with just telling anybody about my family and other issues....But I do chat with Julie (She listens to my rants LOL) and I knew it would be beneficial! ;D So thats why I said something because you do use real life experiences Julie!!
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Post by Julie on Jul 15, 2007 0:31:21 GMT -6
I forgot you were a nurse too! LOL So was Veronica; I squeezed her in at the end of Broken, and then she got a better cameo in this one.
Yeah, I wouldn't really want all my personal stuff written into a fanfic, so I tried to make sure you were okay with the stuff I put in... I see how that would definitely be weird LOL.
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Post by kristy on Jul 15, 2007 8:21:45 GMT -6
It started out just being her name, as a cameo... I didn't even really know her that well then, just from her emailing me with feedback. ;D I think we actually started talking on IM so I could ask her questions about stuff for the story LOL. But now that I know her so well, I try to make the character like how I think she would really act... but it's still very much a fictionalization, since I've never hung out with her to see what she's like in real life, and since I have no idea what she'd be like if she were dating Nick LOL. Laureen, isn't it fun to be famous? LOL! It sounds like her, from the way she sounds on here. She seems to be a really great person, and that is shown in the story. Very outspoken, at times.
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Post by kristy on Jul 15, 2007 8:23:16 GMT -6
Yep...thats right...I was a nurse in a chapter from Broken! And yes...it is fun being famous (even though Im not or anything special really)...Although its also weird. LMAO!! Especially with the personal info thats involved with Laureen in BMS because I'm not always comfortable with just telling anybody about my family and other issues....But I do chat with Julie (She listens to my rants LOL) and I knew it would be beneficial! ;D So thats why I said something because you do use real life experiences Julie!! Yeah, listening to rants seems to help...lol, That's weird isn't it?
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Post by A-RokzStalker on Jul 15, 2007 19:05:05 GMT -6
LOL!!! I have no fricking idea why, but it bugs me how the Laureen in BMS seems more shy to me and "real" Laureen... you are SO not shy! LOL!!!
Anywho, there's only one fan fic idea of mine (I think...) that will be based on some life experience... and it's something I'd really rather not talk about on here, lol.
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Post by kristy on Jul 15, 2007 20:38:13 GMT -6
^I know, I noticed that too, Amy! I'm like, she's so outgoing on here, but in BMS she seems kinda unsure of herself.
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Post by A-RokzStalker on Jul 15, 2007 20:56:34 GMT -6
I know! I find it so strange! lol.
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Post by kristy on Jul 15, 2007 21:18:42 GMT -6
But hey, it fits the story so well!
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