Finding a little bit of the Author in their Work
-
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: 13 May 2013, 13:43
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 315
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-scerakor.html
- Latest Review: Gaslighting & Narcissistic Abuse Recovery: by Don Barlow
Finding a little bit of the Author in their Work
I love seeing examples of how a bit of the author comes out in their books, whether intentionally or not. Hemmingway was an alcoholic, most characters in his books drink a lot; George R.R. Martin's descriptions of feasts lead me to believe that he is an individual that likes his food; and the list goes on.
What are your favourite examples of authors leaving a little bit of themselves in their works? What do you think would come out about yourself if you wrote a book (or if you already have)?
- Aimy
- Posts: 139
- Joined: 09 Mar 2017, 06:40
- Bookshelf Size: 15
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-aimy.html
- Latest Review: "Puffy and the Formidable Foe" by Marie Lepkowski and Ann Marie Hannon
- Rebeccaej
- Posts: 107
- Joined: 03 Sep 2016, 19:49
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 815">Imago (Xenogenesis Series #3)</a>
- Bookshelf Size: 15
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rebeccaej.html
- Latest Review: "The Reich Device" by Richard D. Handy
It's a lot more touching when you learn that Gaiman, for all that he travels the world giving public readings and speeches, still has so much performance anxiety he sometimes vomits before he goes onstage. That whole subplot was about himself.
For myself--I can't help but notice how many of my characters have autistic traits, and how often they talk to plants or objects, due to not having enough meaningful contact with other people.
-
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: 13 May 2013, 13:43
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 315
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-scerakor.html
- Latest Review: Gaslighting & Narcissistic Abuse Recovery: by Don Barlow
Great example. You just reminded me of another similar example. Slaughterhouse V means so much more Knowing that Vonnegut was actually in the Dresden bombings of WWII.Rebeccaej wrote:Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman, has a subplot with a character who sings quite well, but has horrible stage fright. It doesn't end with him learning to be less afraid. He learns how to be terrified and do it anyway.
It's a lot more touching when you learn that Gaiman, for all that he travels the world giving public readings and speeches, still has so much performance anxiety he sometimes vomits before he goes onstage. That whole subplot was about himself
- Donnavila Marie01
- Posts: 931
- Joined: 19 Dec 2016, 02:39
- Currently Reading: the one
- Bookshelf Size: 89
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-donnavila-marie01.html
- Latest Review: "America, It Was Just An Idea" by Dr. Rayna M. Gangi
- Vickyoreo86
- Posts: 201
- Joined: 19 Dec 2016, 12:00
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =118626">A Court of Wings and Ruin</a>
- Currently Reading: The Sword of Shannara
- Bookshelf Size: 77
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-vickyoreo86.html
- Latest Review: Cover Your Tracks, Leona Leitman by C. S. Johnson
In books I have found Laurell K Hamilton, who writes dark urban fantasy erotica/horror often states she allows her characters to have and love multiple partners because in her real life she and her husband...um share?...with two of their best friends. The four of them love and trust each other. There is a name for it, I just can't remember it.
I think many writers add a little piece of themselves to the characters they create but I also think they add a piece, maybe, of who they would like to be also.
-- 27 Mar 2017, 04:09 --
Ah found it! Polyamory it is typically the practice of, or desire for, intimate relationships where individuals may have more than one partner, with the knowledge and consent of all partners
And so she gives her main character Anita this belief also....
― David Gemmell
- Amagine
- Posts: 5441
- Joined: 04 Mar 2017, 19:27
- Bookshelf Size: 721
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-amagine.html
- Latest Review: "Salome and Gogo visit Soweto" by Cora Groenewald
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
"I am grateful for all the books that sparked my imagination." -Unknown
- Jeyran Main
- Posts: 252
- Joined: 27 Sep 2016, 15:21
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 336
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jeyran-main.html
- Latest Review: "Stalking The Shadows" by BJ Edwards
- bookowlie
- Special Discussion Leader
- Posts: 9071
- Joined: 25 Oct 2014, 09:52
- Favorite Book: The Lost Continent
- Currently Reading: An American in Scotland
- Bookshelf Size: 444
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bookowlie.html
- Latest Review: To Paint A Murder by E. J. Gandolfo
- James Craft
- Posts: 371
- Joined: 14 Sep 2016, 11:41
- Currently Reading: Carnivore
- Bookshelf Size: 51
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-james-craft.html
- Latest Review: "Perdido Bay Blues" by Jacqueline Lane
- Christina O Phillips
- Posts: 369
- Joined: 06 Feb 2017, 10:20
- Currently Reading: Oz
- Bookshelf Size: 1326
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-christina-o-phillips.html
- Latest Review: Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress by Gustavo Kinrys, MD
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Someone already mentioned that LKH puts polyamory in her Anita Blake books; she was with her first husband and they started having problems as her novels grew darker. Now she is with her second husband and they, like her characters, practice polyamory.
I don't know if you'd count this, but Stephen King has written his stories based on his own personal fears, so that's a case where who the author is leads to inspiration.
-
- Posts: 99
- Joined: 19 Dec 2016, 03:50
- Bookshelf Size: 30
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-hailvilla18.html
- Latest Review: "Loving Marie" by Dawn Reno Langley
- Lest92
- Posts: 298
- Joined: 21 Jan 2017, 18:30
- Currently Reading: Oil and Marble
- Bookshelf Size: 199
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lest92.html
- Latest Review: The Everywhere Spirit by Nicholas Applin
If I had to write anything I would sublimate on purpose, but definitely, I'd bring in art and art history in some way.
-
- Posts: 1210
- Joined: 17 Aug 2016, 14:45
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 19636">Out of the Box Awakening</a>
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 122
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-aa1495.html
- Latest Review: YiaYia’s Kitchen by Brianna Koucos Midgley
I agree. They can describe emotions and experiences better when they've felt it themselves.James Craft wrote:This definitely happens when authors create characters, and the most real characters have a shred of the author in them.
- Books_are_Life
- Posts: 119
- Joined: 30 Jun 2014, 16:32
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 940
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-books-are-life.html
- Latest Review: The Gryphon by Paula Grover
- Reading Device: B00KC6I06S