When my very first book released (Love is a Battlefield from the Walk in the Park series), I encountered something shocking. There were people who assumed the book was autobiographical.
“I didn’t realize you were left at the altar. I’m so sorry.” Um. Nope. I wasn’t left at the altar. That was my character, Kristy O’Neal. We are not the same person.
“I’m so sorry to hear that you and your dad have such a troubled relationship.” Again, nope. That was a fictional character.
For a time, I was terrified that anything I wrote would be dissected by people who knew me as they tried to figure out the parts that were true.
Now that I have a few books under my belt, ranging from Amish romance to stories set during World War II, I think people who know me are finally realizing that maybe my books aren’t based solely on my own life after all. I’m always quick to point out that if they were, I’d have run out of things to write about a long time ago!
It’s a question I get asked a lot—how much truth is in my fiction?
I’ll admit that sometimes I draw on my own experiences. The years I spent as a park ranger for the National Park Service inspired my Walk in the Park series. And there are times I’ll use my writing to work through things in my life. When my grandpa was killed in a car accident, I used that emotion in my next book. One of the characters in A Wedding to Remember in Charleston dealt with an unexpected tragedy, and I was able to bring some of on my own emotions to the page.
But that doesn’t mean my books are actually about my life! It just means sometimes I use my own experiences to bring life to my characters. I think that’s what most writers do.
After 11 books (and two more that were repackaged and re-released), I took some time off from writing. During my “writing hiatus” I met the love of my life, and six months ago, we got married.
I went from single and spending as much time as possible in the city, to married with three stepchildren and a fledgling farm in the country. Talk about a life change!
Now that I’m beginning to write again, I can already see that my new experiences are bringing a different perspective to the page. I’m hopeful this will make my characters more well-rounded and believable.
So even though my books aren’t actually autobiographical, there are still pieces of me in each one.
And now that I’m writing again, that means I’m plotting new stories–so I have a question for you readers! What is your favorite age range for heroes/heroines? Do you enjoy younger, twenty-something main characters? Or do you prefer to read about main characters who are a bit older? Let me know in the comments for a chance to win a paperback copy (US residents only) of my first novel, Love is a Battlefield! I’ll use Random.org to choose a winner on Saturday, April 5.
ausjenny says
I read your first book and I am sure I contacted you but it wasn’t cos I though it was your life. You made me want to see Shiloh National Park. I even tried to see if it was possible when I visited my friend last May. Next trip to the states I will be trying to get there. When I was in Washington DC as part of my tour we visited the Lincoln Memorial and it was your book that I kept remembering.
Congrats on your marriage. As for age range I love slightly older hero/heroine. I would love to see more in there mid to late 30’s or even 40’s, by then they are over the turning 30 feeling sorry for themselves for still being single and have accepted it to a degree and while still wanting to find a romance if it comes there way. They are not desperate to be married.
pepperbasham says
What a fun post, Annalisa! How can real-life NOT inspire our fiction, right?
Congrats on your marriage…and family!
Ausjenny – I LOVE writing slightly older heroines. They’ve gotten older as I have. Funny how that happens ;-) LOL
Cathy Bryant says
Great post, Annalisa. I’ve had similar experiences with people thinking that I am my heroines. Drives me nuts!!! I’m in the older category for heroines myself, though mine tend to be a mix. Women with more life experiences under their belt are more interesting to me.
Susan says
Yes! True life does inspire my fiction, it always sneaks in. I agree, it makes the emotion of our characters deeper. And as for age? Depends on the story. Historical seems like a younger H/H age while contemporary can be a bit older. I like late 20’s into the 30’s.
susanmsj says
I have seen this at the Christian bookstore and it looks really good. It is on my TB (to buy) list. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
musicdamsel says
how neat! Would love to win!!
musicdamsel says
Thanks for the chance to win!
Annalisa Daughety says
Thanks! I’m so glad you enjoyed the books. I’d LOVE to do more in this series…maybe someday! And thanks for the input on age ranges!
Annalisa Daughety says
Thanks! And I’m the same way…my heroines keep getting a little bit older. :)
Annalisa Daughety says
Thanks, Cathy! Glad I’m not the only one! :)
Annalisa Daughety says
Thanks for the input, Susan!
Annalisa Daughety says
Thank you!
Loni says
I just read a book where the main character was 24. I was really getting into the book until that little, young fact was introduced. After that, it was hard for me to relate to the character. I definitely enjoy reading about characters that are a little older.
KayM says
I generally enjoy books where the main character is older. Occasionally, I enjoy a book with a younger main character, but the story needs to be exceptional with significant secondary characters of older ages. In historical fiction, some of the younger, main characters seem to have more character, so I can enjoy those. thanks for an opportunity to win Love is a Battlefield.
purplemeri65 says
I really like characters that are mid thirty to mid forty because they have been out in the world and should a clearer idea of what they want and where they are headed. They are more settled and just have a different view on life and the world.
Andrea Cox says
Annalisa, I would never have guessed folks would assume a fictional book was autobiographical. That’s interesting…
I read a variety of Christian fiction and so read about various ages of heroines/heroes. My favorites, though, are the 25 to 30-somethings range. Maybe that’s because I’m creeping closer to 30-something myself (I’m 26 right now). Maybe it’s because I like to read about more mature heroines/heroes. Sometimes the young 20-somethings come across as teenagers in adult bodies to me, which drives me crazy. Those are the times I’m like, “Were you like that at 23? I was in the phase at 15.” It doesn’t always go together for me. So reading about folks that are a bit older than myself is quite nice as the authors generally get the maturity right.
Blessings,
Andrea Cox
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com