At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements 😉
After pondering life, the universe, and everything, I decided I don't have the brain capacity to ask a question that hasn't been done to death. So, I went a bit more mundane...
What if you wrote a book where one of the main characters was someone close to you? And then, what if that person realized they were in your book, but they thought they were a completely different character (than the one you based on them)?
I would chuckle softly to myself...
ReplyDeleteHi Liz - someone would be wrong! I'm not sure I'd like the conversation though - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteAhhh. Interesting question. I wonder if I could keep my mouth shut?
ReplyDeleteI guess it would depend upon how they took it.
DeleteI'd be laughing to myself, and probably ask them what they thought of the character based on them.
ReplyDeleteThat would be an interesting conversation.
DeleteStrong characters make great stories which ensures the book sells. QED No insult intended buddy would be my reply.
ReplyDeleteI guess it would depend on whether they liked who they thought they were. If they did, I'd probably keep my mouth shut.
ReplyDeleteI guess it would depend on the perspective held by people.
ReplyDeleteGood point.
DeleteI’d laugh and say, “Nope that’s not you.”
ReplyDeleteLOL
DeleteI can see that causing a family rift. Chrys has the right idea. ~grin~ And this quandary reminds me of David Sedaris talking about his family, how nothing is sacred.
ReplyDeleteWell, for writers, nothing is. Not really.
DeleteI would hope that the character they thought they were was someone that they enjoyed being :)
ReplyDeletebetty
I would have to set them straight....haha.
ReplyDeleteOK. Honesty is the best policy, right?
DeleteHa! I think I'd play it honest, but coy. I'd tell them that all of my characters were based in part on people I have known and leave it at that.
ReplyDeleteI would hope we would both laugh about it. But I also have a touchy relative who would probably not take it very well. Well, so be it. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could mess with that relative a bit ;)
DeleteOHwell...Too bad for them! Depending on the friend they will either chuckle or not speak to me, but then, they would not be a true friend if they chose the latter
ReplyDeleteYeah, with you, I think they should expect a bit of a tweaking in a novel ;)
DeleteHmmm totally would depend on if I liked the person or not how I responded, I think.
ReplyDelete