Skip to main content

Guest Post: Inspirations for Your Characters

Many writers have gained inspiration from people they know or have met. The reason behind this is that characters are never more effective and more lifelike as those that are actually based on real people. In the past this was not a problem because even if the real individuals did not like how they were portrayed, there was little they could do about it. However, now you hear about various ongoing lawsuits brought before the courts purely and simply because the claimants felt their portrayal was less than flattering.

Today I bring you a little guest post about how to gain inspiration for your characters by using family, friends and co-workers. Maybe these tricks will help inspire you as well as keep those you care about (or don't like so much) from getting upset.

Creating Characters Based on Real Life: 

Using Family Members, Friends and Enemies

One of the most common problems associated with the development of characters in any give story, novel or screenplay is that they are flat and do not have any life to them. This does not make characters believable in the slightest. However, by drawing inspiration from elsewhere, you can avoid this problem completely. The way you perceive your friends will reflect in the text and either give the narrative a warmth that cannot be found if you do not really care about these characters. Similarly, your enemies are your enemies for a reason, and the way you perceive them in real life will translate itself onto the page. This will ensure your tale is gripping from start to finish and your characters are infinitely believable!

The following steps represent ideas you can take to effectively use your friends, family and enemies in your books, as such, without actually earning yourself a lawsuit!

1. Brainstorm your characters in advance. Brainstorming your characters will enable you to make them individuals and also cut out certain personality traits of the individuals they are based on. If you only use the real life subjects as a basis then this should not be too much of a problem. Select the basic traits you wish to use in a character and add to them with other traits and a quick text expansion on how you will use them. Small things like altering the age and gender of the character in question will also help disguise the fact that you are using friends, family and enemies as guidelines for your characters. These simple touches can infinitely help to protect you so use them to their fullest extent.

2. Do not choose names that are even remotely related to the names of the real life subjects you are using. This is a common problem encountered by authors because they neglect to distinguish the characters from their real life counterparts in name! If you think about it, this one stupid mistake can cost you a lot. Instead of turning your Aunt Molly into Aunt Polly, make her your mother's best friend Claire. This may sound ridiculous to a deep thinking author because you would still be able to tell who that character is based on, but to the outsider looking in, it will not be so obvious and may well be missed by those that matter!

3. Try combining character traits of individuals you know. Taking your best friend and your sister and combining elements of their characters will make a distinct separation between them in real life and on paper. The two individuals you choose do not need to be similar in terms of personality and looks, but combining the two will make a believable character that does not directly resemble either, thus allowing you to get away with it! Combining two enemies is just as effective and may actually make that character seem worse on paper as well, thus enhancing the character.

4. Look into your past and draw on people you used to know. This is an easy option. People you used to know but are no longer in contact with you probably would not draw the distinction between themselves and your narrative as long as you do not draw on common situations you have experienced. This is a tell tale sign and should be avoided.

5. Ask permission if the character is overtly and obviously a member of your family or circle of friends. If you do need to represent a character so he or she resembles a friend or family member accurately then be sure to ask permission. It may also be necessary for the person to sign something, but this would come after the next step.

6. Ask the people you have based characters on to read your first draft. If you do this then you have their consent to publish if and when you get a deal, so long as they do not voice objections to anything written about the character based on them. After they give you their consent to represent them in such a way, get them to sign a waiver just in case they do change their mind at a later date. Adhering to all of the above will get you to this stage, but then make sure you are fully protected in case of future changes of heart!


________
Copyright © Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ

Popular posts from this blog

World of Ink Interview with author Judy Snider and Illustrator Cady B. Driver

Judy Snider , Joan’s sister lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, Gil, and two silly cats. She is the author of the CWA award-winning children’s picture book, Goldy’s Baby Socks , and on a team of authors of The Scared Purse . The Writing Mama Interview with author Judy Snider     VS: What do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Judy: It is easier now that my kids are in their 20’s and out of the home. I get up very early, and some of the best writing I do is in a sunny place with a glass of water or coffee and my silly cats nearby. When my oldest was a baby, I took a write-away-course, and would write when he took his naps. Some of my best writing was at a table while I waited in those days for them at parties, video arcades, etc.  I work out of my home on projects, so working with my sister on our latest book, and the phone usually did Cady Driver, our illustrator. VS: How long have you been writing? Judy: I wrote my...
Read more

Stories That Awaken the Soul: A Journey with Evan McDermott

What if the stories we tell — and the ones we choose to listen to — could change not just our perspective, but our very path in life? In a world where noise often drowns out meaning, returning to the simplicity and depth of authentic storytelling can reconnect us with what truly matters. This week on Language of the Soul , we sit down with Evan McDermott, poet, tarot reader, and host of the Fifth Dimension podcast, for a conversation that feels like sitting by the fire and remembering what it means to be human. Evan’s life and work remind us that the ancient practice of weaving narrative — through myth, poetry, or spiritual exploration — is more than art. It’s a vital act of self-remembering, of reclaiming our agency in a world that often tries to define us by labels, roles, or distractions. Our discussion with Evan touches on many layers: from the dualities of love and tyranny, to how compassion becomes a compass when the outer world feels divided or uncertain. We reflect on how st...
Read more

Redefining Purpose Through Life's Trials

  Facing the myriad of challenges that life presents, individuals often find themselves searching for meaning and purpose in the eye of the storm. Our latest podcast episode delves into the heart of this human experience, exploring how adversity does not just challenge but also shapes and molds our sense of purpose. The stories shared in this episode are not just narratives of survival; they are testaments to the power of transformation through trials. The episode begins with a deeply personal account of loss and grief from co-hosts Virginia Grenier and myself. The discussion moves beyond mere catharsis, revealing the podcast's role as a beacon of therapy and connection. This connection is further solidified by the importance of community and listener support, which serves as a lifeline for sustaining the platform. The beauty of shared experiences lies in their universality, and our candid conversation sets the stage for the narratives that follow. Our guest's story is a moving...
Read more