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Before I break into my featured ramble, I want to thank Terri Brisbin and all of the ladies at Jaunty Quills for inviting me to guest blog. It’s always a treat to interact with readers and writers in a new-to-me venue. I must admit though, after my initial glee I experienced a blip of anxiety. What should I blog about?
Just when I was starting to break into a sweat, I flashed on a time when Terri and I participated in a panel discussion at a local library. It was a long time ago, but I’ll never forget one specific question launched our way (although I confess I’m paraphrasing).
“Is there ever any part of you in your heroines?”
I was surprised when a couple of the authors answered, no. Their heroines were nothing like them—complete creations of their imagination and research. I wondered suddenly if I was guilty of some major writerly faux pas, because, well, there’s a little bit of me in all of my heroines.
Sometimes it’s something in my background—a past hobby or occupation, a relationship with a family member, an experience with a friend or beau. Sometimes it’s a talent or a skill . . . a belief or a fear. . . a desire or a dream. Having something in common with my heroine enables me to bond with her on an emotional level. I feel her. Even if she’s fiercely different from me in all ways but one. That one thing fuels my passion and pen.
In Out of Eden, my upcoming release from HQN, I have two things in common with my heroine, Kylie McGraw. We both grew up in a small town in Indiana. We both dreamed of ‘getting out’ and traveling to an exotic land. Those two things gave me an awful lot of material to work with. That said, in many ways, Kylie is nothing like me. Those portions aren’t the easiest to write, but they’re almost always the most fun. There’s a lot to be said for living vicariously through one’s heroine!
So here’s my question(s) to you.
1) As a writer, do you incorporate any of ‘yourself’ into your heroines?
2) As a reader, do you ever read a passage and wonder if the author is writing from personal experience?
3) And lastly, for the fun of it…. Kylie’s dream is to tour China and Japan. Mine was to visit England and to see Paris at least once. (Mission accomplished!) What about you. What’s your dream destination?
Beth lives in New Jersey with her husband, two zany dogs, and one crazy cat. In addition to writing, she also works at her local library and travels to exciting lands whenever possible. To learn more about her chaotic life visit her website at www.bethciotta.com
Filed in: Jaunty Guests
Jan 27th
2010
5:50 am
Emmanuelle Said:
Good question. As a reader I don’t think I’ve ever wondered about the author’s personal experience while reading a particular passage before. But I imagine that characters in general must carry a part of their author with them (or part of someone he/she knows). If I had to write a book one day (which I’m sure I won’t but it’s a suposition) I think it would be hard to make my heroine 100% different from me.
As for dream destinations, I’m glad you liked Paris (I’m french and live 15 minutes from there). I’m crazy about the US myself. Next april I’m visiting New-Orleans and a bit of Texas… can’t wait !
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Jan 27th
2010
7:21 am
Paula R. Said:
Good morning Beth. Love the blog topic. As a reader, I do think about if there is any aspect of the author’s lives in the characters/story they write, but I don’t get caught up in that. I think that it makes the story richer and fuller to incorporate some part of yourself in your work. I find that if I love an author, I start to think more and more about how much of themselves they put in one of their books, especially if I met them in person. I usually focus on it more after reading the book in its entirety though. When a particular scene resonates with me on an emotional level, I sometimes wonder how much of the “real” author is written on the page.
As a writer, especially a newbie, I find that I do incorporate bits and pieces of me and my life experiences into the story/characters that I write. Sometimes an incident in my now, helps to create a setting, a conflict that fuels the need to write about it.
I have numerous dream destinations. I would love to travel Europe. I would start in Ireland and end up in Australia somewhere. My goal is to visit as many countries as possible. I am nowhere near meeting it, but God willing, I still have many years left to do that. After watching “The Bucket List” with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, I made a list, and it is still pretty long. Have a great day everyone.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Jan 27th
2010
7:29 am
Beth Ciotta Said:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Emmanuelle. It’s always fun to get a peek into a reader’s mind!
As for Paris… I was only there for two days, but loved every minute of it. I never realized how HUGE it was, so it was a bit overwhelming. Still… a once in a lifetime experience. How’s the saying go? Every girl should go to Paris at least once!
As for your dream destination, I’ve been to New Orleans AND Texas. You’re going to to love both places. New Orleans is a personal fave of mine. Enjoy!
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Jan 27th
2010
8:12 am
Emmanuelle Said:
I’m sure I will Beth ! I know what you mean about Paris, it IS big and the streets in there are so small (so unlike the US) you can feel easily crowded. I’m glad you enjoyed it !
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Jan 27th
2010
9:32 am
Emily McKay Said:
Hi Beth, welcome to the Jaunty Quills.
As a writer, I think there’s definitely some of me in all of my heroines. Geesh, probably all of my characters. I don’t think you can write characters that don’t share your emotional experience. There are universal experiences that we all have: the need for love, a yearning for a better a life, the humiliation of being teased, the fear of being rejected. I think you have to tap into that to right great characters.
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Jan 27th
2010
10:16 am
Beth CIotta Said:
Lovin’ the insight and travel dreams! At my dayjob (library–yay!) Will respond to all posts later today!
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Jan 27th
2010
12:50 pm
Margo Maguire Said:
Hi Beth – thanks for blogging with us today!
I think there’s probably a piece of me in every hero and heroine that I write. Or maybe some characteristic I wish I had, or am glad I DON’T have! My earliest novels always included some form of medical issues – these were just after I’d left my nursing career to be a writer. But not so much any more…
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Jan 27th
2010
3:01 pm
kristan higgins Said:
Hi, Beth, old buddy! That’s a very interesting question; I’d have to sure, there’s something of me in all of my heroines. A little…the desire to be a good daughter or sister, maybe a bit of insecurity here and there, and the sense of humor, definitely.
Nice to have you here today! Looking forward to your new book!
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Jan 27th
2010
4:00 pm
Terri Brisbin Said:
Beth –
I once heard an editor say she could always tell when a manuscript she was reading was from a newbie writer because the heroine always resembled the writer physically. I guess we may fall back on the old ‘write what you know’ rule more than we realize when we’re first starting out.
I do still find bits of myself in most of my characters — heroine, hero, villain, etc. I think it’s nearly impossible to write about our characters as real people and not use something we’ve felt or learned or been hurt by when we construct them.
Dream destination? Well, my all-time dream destination is Egypt! Scotland, always, but I’ve been there…but Egypt is still in my dreams – and made worse when my brother visited there and sent bunches of emails back to me… arrgghhh!
BTW – thanks so much for being our guest here today!
Terri B
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Jan 27th
2010
4:15 pm
chey Said:
As a reader, I sometimes wonder where the writer got his/her ideas.
Hawaii is my dream destination.
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Jan 27th
2010
5:53 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
Paula, I found your thoughts, both as a reader and writer, quite interesting. We think a lot alike.
As for your dream destination(s)… what fun! I, too, would love to see Ireland and Australia… and many places in between. So far I’ve been lucky enough to travel to England, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Next on the agenda–Scotland! Wishing you all best with your Bucket List and travels. You can do it!
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Jan 27th
2010
10:20 pm
Paula R. Said:
Hi Beth, thank you for the wishes of luck. So far you have been to many of the places I want to see. I blame alot of that desire on historical romances…sigh. I will get to some of those places one day. Maybe I will hit the lotto and take a year off just to travel…LOL!!! It was great hearing the different places people wanted to see. I have been to some of the places on my list already…S. Korea, Hawaii (Oahu), though I would love to visit the other islands again, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Barbados, Martinique, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. The last four was on a cruise. I would love to do another one of those. I would love to visit Alaska as well, but it is close to the end of the list there…It is soooo coollddd there! Have a great evening all. Good night!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Jan 27th
2010
5:57 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
Emily, I love what you said about ‘universal experiences’. I never really thought about it that way, although, of course, I know it’s quite true. Excellent!
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Jan 27th
2010
6:06 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
Hi, Margo! Thanks for the welcome. It’s a joy to be here! Diggin’ the smiley faces.
Glad to know I’m not alone when it comes to putting some of ‘me’ into my characters–the good AND bad. As for weaving your past profession into your novels, I think a lot of writers tend to do that–depending on the profession. As a veteran performer, I often weave in things pertaining to the entertainment industry. As someone who ‘lived it’, I feel I’m able to offer genuine insight–experiences and information that lend realism to the story. I’m sure it’s the same with your medical background. As a reader, I actually appreciate that.
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Jan 27th
2010
6:09 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
Waving madly at Kristan! Dare I say it? Great minds think alike. Or maybe in our case, wacky minds think alike.
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Jan 27th
2010
6:14 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
Terri, I can honestly say I have never written a heroine who resembles me physically. Well, maybe once. And, oh, hey, it was my first effort. So maybe that editor WAS right. LOL
What an awesome dream destination. Egypt! So exotic. I confess, I would love to see the pyramids. As for Scotland, my husband is taking me there this year for my big birthday. I’ll have to pick your brain for some tips!
Thank you again for having me here!
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Jan 27th
2010
6:17 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
Chey… Ah, Hawaii. A most excellent dream destination. Along those lines, I’d love to see Alaska, too. Two wild and beautiful states.
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Jan 27th
2010
7:49 pm
Catherine Kean Said:
Beth, thanks so much for blogging with us today! As for my characters, yes, I’d say there’s an aspect of me in all of my heroines. I find I need an emotional connection to my heroines so they are real and unique in my imagination; that makes it easier for me to tell their stories. My dream destination? I have two: Ireland and Scotland. I’d love to tour the castles.
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Jan 27th
2010
7:54 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
Always lovely to ’see’ you Catherine. I feel EXACTLY like you when it comes to weaving a bit of ‘me’ into my characters. So glad I’m not alone!
Maybe we’ll see you there!
Re: Dream Destinations–I’m with you! Scotland’s at the top of my list just now. Planning a b-day trip there this year with my husband. As for Ireland, I’m hoping to do a driving tour there with one of my sisters…. someday.
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Jan 27th
2010
8:02 pm
Elle J Rossi Said:
Hi Beth!
Other than sarcasm and my love of coffee, I think I infuse more of who I’d like to be rather than who I actually am. Does that make sense?
I only wonder how much of the author is in the heroine/hero when I actually know the author. Then of course I’m wondering, “Did they do that?” or “Have they tried that position?”
My dream destinations? Italy with all of my sibs, Ireland, Spain and The Grand Canyon.
I’ll get there!
Can’t wait for Out of Eden!
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Jan 27th
2010
8:09 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
“I think I infuse more of who I’d like to be rather than who I actually am. Does that make sense?”
Hi, Elle! Yes. That’s makes total sense. I do that, too. In addition, often my heroines will say things I’d never say and do things I’d never do. Although, deep down, I WISH! A perk for being a writer. Living vicariously through our characters.
Re your dream destination (sib), we MUST do Italy and Ireland. Don’t know about Spain, but I’m all for the Grand Canyon. One of us needs to win the lottery to fund all these dream trips!
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Jan 27th
2010
8:19 pm
Elle J Rossi Said:
In order to win the lottery, we must play. Although if I win, I make keep it a secret and let y’all think I worked really hard to but each of you a trip!
I forgot Alaska. I want to go there as well. Alaska in the summer. I mean I want to experience it but I want to be comfortable!
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Jan 27th
2010
8:25 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
You’re killin’ me, Elle. Alaska’s on the list. Summer. Noted.
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Jan 27th
2010
9:16 pm
Pat Said:
IMO (definitely need to qualify what’s coming!) to write a heroine that has none of the writer within is impossible. Despite the best research, each heroine—or hero, for that matter—has “bits” of his or her creator within them. It may just be a gut reaction to a spider or the smell of jet fuel, but something of the writer exists within every character. Our heroines tend to say the things we would have said—had we thought of it with more speed—or have the generous spirit or kick-butt attitude we’ve admired in others and secretly envied. Our heroes are bits of dreams, perhaps, but they are bits of our dreams.
So, yes, I think there are bits of me—even if only the me I wish I were or could be—within every heroine I write.
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Jan 27th
2010
9:21 pm
Beth Ciotta Said:
“…a spider or the smell of jet fuel…”
Okay. Gotta say… I loved that. And everything after. Pat… you rock.
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Jan 28th
2010
12:46 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Thanks for joining us, Beth. Not to be
disrespectful of those other writers but I
think they’re fooling themselves to think
that. If you write w/authentic emotion you’re
in your characters. Period. Great topic!
As for where I want to go – the list is so long.
DH & I have been to England but not together
would like to do that.
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Jan 28th
2010
1:53 am
Fedora Said:
Woot!! Beth, sorry I’m late to your visit! As for my wonderings, it depends on the book and the characters. If it’s an unusual setting or profession, then yes, sometimes I do think, hmm… maybe the author has some kind of “in”… But usually I just try to enjoy the story! I think that as long as it feels authentic, I don’t think too much about whether it’s just well researched or whether it’s coming from a deeper level of experience
And for dream destinations? Still hoping to visit the Land Down Under 
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Jan 28th
2010
8:43 am
Beth Ciotta Said:
It was great being here, Robyn. Loved all angles of the discussion. As for dream destinations, here’s hoping you and your husband get to make that joint England trip soon. One of my new favorite towns there is Canterbury. In fact, I’d love to live there!
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Jan 28th
2010
8:45 am
Beth Ciotta Said:
Fabulous seeing you here, Fedora. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. When you DO make that trip Down Under, I want pictures and details!
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Feb 5th
2010
12:25 pm
Michelle Rattigan Said:
I have a longing for Maine(Stephen King obsessed as a teenager) also Newfoundland. I have no idea why, I live in Ireland which I have been told is litterally Newfoundland without the whales..but..whata gonna do?
I want to see something of myself in the heroine,self involved anyone:) but I dream and fantasise for days, weeks, months about books after I’ve read them. More so if the heroine is how I would like myself to be, passionate, fiesty witty and clever. I’m sure I am some of those things at times but to be so wanted and desired must be a confidence booster. I would also like to think the writer is puting some of herself in the heroine. I find you can sometimes tell if she has, these are the ones that stay with me, that live on after the inital read. How can you write passion if you don’t see passion in yourself?
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