How far would you go?

Cassiopeia · Sep 2, 2009

If you wanted to really get into your MC's head, would you become that person for the sake of authenticity?

I have a WIP that really is knocking on my door a lot. It's begging to be worked on and I keep trying to finish the very first one I ever wrote. So anyway, I have a character who's been shot in the leg, she's a law enforcement officer. She has to rehabilitate and be fit for duty.

For sometime I thought, with my health and my left knee is such a state right now that perhaps I could work on training and while working out (I'm trying to find information on fitness requirements for federal law enforcement officers) that I just might get in her head more.

I know we are writers with an imagination but, I ask you, how far would you go to write your character's traits and experiences.

vox · Sep 2, 2009

I'd go as far as is practical (and ethical). I've heard of authors doing all sorts of things to help them write more authentic characters / locations / procedure, etc... ie: visiting cities or countries, interviewing medical professionals, doing police ridealongs, just to name a few.

What you're talking about seems like it would certainly give you insight into a rehabilitative struggle. The only questions I can think to ask are: 1) Does this play a large enough part in the story to warrant all the effort, and 2) is there a chance that you'd be doing this in order to avoid actually writing.

ETA: I didn't realize it was a poll. To specifically answer, I'm not sure I'd work out for a year unless it was something I wanted/needed to do anyway. If it's purely for research, I'd think a shorter amount of time would be sufficient.

Cassiopeia · Sep 2, 2009

Really only Vox will answer? Come on people...it's just a supposition.

Ken · Sep 2, 2009

... have gone quite far in this direction, reading books and watching movies with mc's similar to those I'm trying to portray. I'm betting that not all writers need to do this and that those who do vary in degrees of immersion.

scarletpeaches · Sep 2, 2009

When in doubt, vote Colin.

Tracey Bentley · Sep 2, 2009

I can't say I'd do some of the things my main character would do - unless I want to finish my novel from prison.

Cassiopeia · Sep 2, 2009

Okay, fair enough MamaBear, but how far would you go if you knew you'd have a guaranteed NY Best Seller and a Hollywood box office buster?

I'm just having fun here, but seriously, I am thinking of doing the same 17 week training as a law enforcement agent would do. I'm wondering if it will help me?

scarletpeaches · Sep 2, 2009

Have smex with Colin Farrell in exchange for an NYT bestseller?

Uh...I'm not seeing the problem with this...

Tracey Bentley · Sep 2, 2009

I understand the fun of the question - but really, even with the Bestseller thing and movie - I'd never rob a bank or commit adultery with my defense being "in the name of research".

Though, the law enforcement training thing is another story - but again, not for me - I'm way too old to attempt anything like that

scarletpeaches · Sep 2, 2009

I'd do pretty much anything legal as research.

Cassiopeia · Sep 2, 2009

Well, I'm 51 and my weight jumped suddenly and I thought to myself, listen, it's time to get serious so why not kill two birds with one stone...but I have to BELIEVE it's worth it.

scarletpeaches · Sep 2, 2009

If Colin asked you out, our friendship is at an end.

(It was Jude, wasn't it)?

Cassiopeia · Sep 2, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
If Colin asked you out, our friendship is at an end.

(It was Jude, wasn't it)?

Absolutely. My line up is, JEFF (there is only one jeff after all), jude and gerard.

but I better serious up cos its, like in the, roundtable.

scarletpeaches · Sep 2, 2009

So. Srs qstn.

What ARE you doing as 'research'?

Cassiopeia · Sep 2, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
So. Srs qstn.

What ARE you doing as 'research'?

Well for the one WIP, I am researching the specific agency as to their requirements, what different departments actually do. I'm hoping to find someone to interview though I'm not sure how forthcoming about facts they'd be.

I've researched locations, cultures.

not much really.

I know the various requirements for fitness based on gender and age groupings.

aadams73 · Sep 2, 2009

Cassiopeia said:
Well for the one WIP, I am researching the specific agency as to their requirements, what different departments actually do. I'm hoping to find someone to interview though I'm not sure how forthcoming about facts they'd be.

Contact their PR people. Seriously. They're amazingly helpful and will point you in the right direction.

backslashbaby · Sep 2, 2009

I've been having to keep myself away from going and interviewing crackhead street prostitutes about a serial killer in their neighborhood. Seriously.

I get myself in trouble talking to the wrong folks. I really have to start listening. The idea of Tea with Mussolini sounds fascinating to me.

In any case, I'd do the training, yeah. Why not, if you want to start a program anyway? I don't think you have to live what your characters do, or anything. I'm just almost pathologically nosy that way, I think.

Chasing the Horizon · Sep 2, 2009

I would LOVE to do all the thing my characters do.

But before I begin I will need a dragon, an enchanted ship, a sorceress, a map to hidden treasure, and a group of good but very eccentric friends.

I'm thinking this question wasn't geared towards fantasy writers . . .

Wired · Sep 2, 2009

My significant other dabbled quite a bit in drugs before we met, so I have some interesting first hand stories and experiences for my books.

Would I ever consider taking said substances? Nah, I'm too much of a goody-two shoes, but my characters sure aren't. :tongue

kct webber · Sep 2, 2009

backslashbaby said:
I've been having to keep myself away from going and interviewing crackhead street prostitutes about a serial killer in their neighborhood. Seriously.

Why keep yourself away from it? I've done it. It's very interesting stuff. I've spent a lot of time in back alleys and crack houses in San Juan Puerto Rico, making friends with crack whores and heroin addicts, etc. Just make friends with a couple of the cops who patrol that area and let them know what you're doing, so if you get swept up when they decide to arrest people, you have someone who knows you aren't one of the criminals.

NicoleMD · Sep 2, 2009

I've gotten into yoga lately, partly because my MC practices something similar. I practice with clothes on though.

Nicole

Cassiopeia · Sep 2, 2009

This is so cool. I really appreciate you all contributing your thoughts. I wondered if I was bonkers or something. *yeah let's not go there folks, just yet anyway*

mscelina · Sep 2, 2009

I was a professional actor for a long time. *shrug* It's an everyday occurrence for me to get into character and live for a while as my hero or heroine. I think, however, that as long as I know my character from the inside out--how they'd handle small stresses and annoyances or little joys and pleasures, I can anticipate and then replicate their behavior for something huge. I wouldn't have to rob a bank or cheat on my husband to know what they'd think about it or how they'd feel during and afterwards. Make sense? That's the way an actor has to approach a role--you build the foundation, but you let the surprise in the script surprise your character...to keep the reactions realistic and fresh. I approach writing in much the same way.

Claudia Gray · Sep 3, 2009

This is reminding me of that famous story about the filming of "Marathon Man." Dustin Hoffman was playing a victim of torture, and so to prepare for one scene, he decided that he -- like his character -- should be suffering from extreme sleep deprivation. He stayed awake for such an ungodly period of time that he was truly almost at the point of breaking down before the scene was to shoot. Hoffman explained to his costar, Lawrence Olivier, just what he'd done to create his emotions for the scene.

Olivier replied, "My dear boy, have you ever tried acting?"

Don't get me wrong: It's great to try out stuff your characters try, or go places they've been. But when you're talking about hurting yourself/breaking the law/etc., it's just fine to rely on research and imagination.

bettielee · Sep 3, 2009

Unfortunately, there are no dragons in Union City, but if there were, I would totally go flying and ask them to let me try the bonding experience, even if the dragonblood made me sick and changed me forever.

Totally.

How far would you go?

How far would you go to be in your character's head?

Sure, I'd rob a bank.

Sure, I'd work out for a year to get fit if my character had to do that.

Sure, I'd commit adultery.

Sure, I'd run around partying and having random sex.

Sure, I'd stalk someone if my character did.

No way, I don't need help, I'm a genius writer and don't do any kind of research.

Nah, I can't be bothered

Sure, as long as Jude, Collin, or Jeff were involved, I'd do it...heck ya I'd do it.

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