A Real Character – Or in this Case, Me
This post was inspired by Isabella Costello’s blog post “Real Character -Or in this Case, Me” Check out her blog here: http://isabelcostello.wordpress.com Due to the clever idea of another blogger, Susan Elliot Wright ( http://www.susanelliotwright.co.uk/ ), a whole host of writers are participating in the discussion via Twitter.
From Isabella’s original post: “For most readers, being able to relate to fictional characters and imagine knowing them in real life is very important. Readers often wonder how writers achieve this with people they’ve invented out of thin air, and I think part of it is by making them complicated. We’re all influenced by our genes, environment, experiences, beliefs, personality, likes and dislikes, habits, skills, hang-ups….Most of you reading this don’t know me, so I’m going to try to bring myself to life with a few scraps of information from these categories.”
As writers, we love creating characters, right? Creating characters is one of the most enjoyable parts of the writing process. Well . . . let’s start with ourselves. If you want to participate in #realcharacter, stop by Isabella Costello’s blog or check out the #realcharacter hashtag on Twitter.
Who am I, you ask? Well…
Genes/inheritance
I’m pretty much an American mutt. My grandfather on my father’s side was English and my grandmother on my father’s side was Scottish. My grandfather on my mother’s side was German and my grandmother on my mother’s side was Dutch. Just color me Euro.
I’m short, sandy-haired and blue-eyed.
Environment
I grew up in the largest city in Kentucky, which is still pretty small as far as cities go. It’s big enough that there’s a nice assortment of restaurants, arts, culture, etc –even a local music scene— but small enough that you’re sure to run into people you know in certain parts of town, or at favorite haunts.
Favorite Local Motto: Keep Louisville Weird
Habits
I read about a book a week. I get obsessed with TV when I watch it, so I try not to. (Downton Abbey –classic example). I’m uber-creative –must’ve caught that bug in the gene pool. If I’m not writing, I have to be doing something else that fills that creative need: photography, painting, drawing, sewing, crafting, decorating…
Personality
I talk a lot. I try not to talk over people. Sometimes I fail at that. Miserably. I’m reserved in crowds of unfamiliar people. I’m very detail oriented and have a compulsive need to see things through. If I have an idea or a plan, I can’t rest until I’ve accomplished what I set out to. As you might guess, this can be something of a handicap at times, so I try to set mini-goals for myself.
I’m an animal lover too. My dog sleeps in bed with me, curled up by my feet.
Skills (or otherwise)
A sad but true, and little known fact about me? I’ve never mastered the art of opening a milk carton (you know the kind, weird glued together lid that you’re supposed to invert to make a pour spout…). It’s a handicap I’ve had since primary school.
I have a terrible sense of direction. In fact, if you’re in a car with me and I suggest a way to go –go the opposite way and you’ll probably get where you’re going. I can’t do mental math either.
Whew, I need to stop the “or otherwise.”
Real skills: I like to think I can write, so I do it. A lot. I’m also a pretty decent cook, I like to pretend I’m a photographer, I like to garden and grow organic veggies, and I’m pretty handy with a sewing machine. 
(Clematis from my front lawn)
Family
I have a super-cute husband and even cuter kids. Am I biased? Probably. But they’re pretty darn amazing. I come from a huge Catholic family in Louisville. Yup. Former Catholic school girl.
Me and the hubby. I’m not going to include any pics of the kids, because, let’s face it, some of you might be weirdos. ;)
So… Do you feel you know me better now? Could you write me into a story, if pressed?
What makes you a #realcharacter? Join the discussion on Twitter!
