Real Experiences

[CaptMorgan]

How often do you collect experiences in order to make a book more realistic? I found myself doing this constantly while I was writing my latest manuscript, and, as a result, I think it's the best thing I've ever written. What are your thoughts? Do you try to experience things your character might do (I mean, obviously if you're writing about some things this wouldn't work) or do you stick to book/internet/magazine research?

[Julie Worth]

How often do you collect experiences in order to make a book more realistic?


What makes a story real is the detail, especially the sensory detail, and the logical progression of events. Often enough, it’s the real experience that sounds unreal, because the logic isn’t there, or the writer forgets to put in the sensory detail, or puts in what he experienced, but not what’s best for telling the story.

I’ve found it easier to invent rather than to use real experiences, because the real experience never fits without a lot of hammering and shoehorning. So my answer is: never.

[Garpy]

I often draw from personal experiences...but when I do occasionally do that, I have to beware that I don't over describe it and yadder on too long. Because, obviously, to me, having had the experience in question, in means so much more than it does to the reader.

Actually....that's something I keep an eye on when in conversation with people. Sometimes it's too easy to dwell on yourself, and stories, anecdotes to do with you....and not give realise you're utterly boring someone.

[Beyondian]

Well... I write fantasy and I've never really had the first-hand experience of fighting off sabre-toothed black bears symbiotically attatched to evil red eyed swans. I do tend to set the stories (on earth) in places where I've actually been. I haven't based any characters on people I've met as far as I know, but I'm sure my experiences with people have influenced the kind of characters I use.
I don't think I'd actively go out and seek out experiences similar to the ones that my characters are having, becuase I can usually imagine it pretty vividly on my own. My answer would be: sometimes, but not too often.

[Honey Nut Loop]

Personally i don't seek out events though i may use aspects of ones that have already happened. Anthony Hprowitz in his Alex Rider series goes out and experiences everything (or as much as he can) he puts his protagonist through, though.

[maestrowork]

Personally experiences might enhance your story. Sometimes there are just things you just can't describe until you actually experienced it -- knowing is different than experiencing. For example, bungee jumping. Obviously we could still imagine it or do enough research to make it as "real" as possible, but I do think personal experiences would help. But it depends on the writer/artist. Some artists believe in this type of "method" writing or acting or whatever, and often we praise them for creating such real characters (e.g. Dustin Hoffman... or Stephen King, who writes paranormal stuff but still bases a lot of details on his personal experiences).

[Jamesaritchie]

How often do you collect experiences in order to make a book more realistic? I found myself doing this constantly while I was writing my latest manuscript, and, as a result, I think it's the best thing I've ever written. What are your thoughts? Do you try to experience things your character might do (I mean, obviously if you're writing about some things this wouldn't work) or do you stick to book/internet/magazine research?

I never thought of it as collecting experiences, but I frequently do things my characters need to do. First hand experience is, in my opinion, easier to write about in detail than second or third hand. I've done small things, such as make a walking stick using the same tools a historical character had to use, to making tallow candles, paper, ink, etc.

I've also done bigger things such as fly a small plane,work for a travelling fair. I've also made a bow and arrows, and then used them for hunting deer.

[CaptMorgan]

Like I said, I think it really helps me. For my latest book, I traveled to Nashville (as that's part of my setting), I learned to play the guitar (although I rather wanted to do that anyway), and, although this might rank as naturalistic observation, I spent a lot of time around successful musicians. Surprisingly, many of the things that actually happened make up some of the most exciting parts of my story...at least according to my beta readers.

As for "method" writing, I think it is quite similar to acting. I took an acting class last year and I couldn't believe the similarities.

[alleycat]

Like I said, I think it really helps me. For my latest book, I traveled to Nashville (as that's part of my setting), I learned to play the guitar (although I rather wanted to do that anyway), and, although this might rank as naturalistic observation, I spent a lot of time around successful musicians. Surprisingly, many of the things that actually happened make up some of the most exciting parts of my story...at least according to my beta readers.

As for "method" writing, I think it is quite similar to acting. I took an acting class last year and I couldn't believe the similarities.
If you need any additional minor background information, just let me know. I live in Nashville.

ac

[Danger Jane]

I think my writing focuses a lot on the feelings and reactions to events, and those are pretty universal. So I don't necessarily experience things bodily. But I remember my own feelings in relation to whatever event, and that's what translates.

Can't explain it. At all.

[scarletpeaches]

I don't collect experiences as such, but the experiences that I do have, sometimes make their way into a book. I don't transport real life to the page, but by the time I have edited, rearranged and generally monkeyed about with it, it bears hardly any resemblance to the original event that inspired it. So real life inspires my writing, but isn't recognisable as such once it's written. Does that make sense?

[mkcbunny]

I don't go out seeking experiences, but I do walk about with my characters in mind and take notes when something I do or see feels right for one of them. I had a file file full of napkins and scraps of paper on which I'd jotted down these observations/feelings, and I've been slowly reviewing/using/discarding them as I go along. Some of these things have turned into important metaphors, things I didn't plan but realized added another level to the character at hand.

[LightShadow]

Memories, primarily. One of my manuscripts, and coming of age novel, centers around when I lived in the inner-city. Ideas for the most part are purely, as mksbunny indicates, from walking around with my characters in mind. Most of the time, funny as it may seem, my best writing comes to me while I'm in the shower, so I have pads and pens in the bathroom for just those moments.

[Lyra Jean]

I don't purposely put people or places or experiences in my stories. But after writing them I can recognize a character based on someone I know or a situation or a setting. Although I don't think anyone else would recognize it.

At least he didn't recognize himself but then the only thing that was same was they were both male and both mechanics. Otherwise totally different people and that is a good thing.