I'd never realized before how much people put of themselves in their stories. 70% of the stories we review in class are based on actual things they've done or experienced or seen. I mean sure, I use a lot of stuff from my own life in my stories, but more small things or incidents that pop into my head as I'm writing, the basic plots aren't usually based on facts from my life. Although I do admit I did write a funeral story that was based on funerals I've been to, 3-4 mashed into one. And... uhm... a certain J2 story might be a little more... personal than I usually get. *coughs*
Anyway, moving along.
After realizing this I can't help but reading fic a little differently. Not in the sense that I believe everyone is having buttsecks with their BFFs or hunt demons in their sparetime or that plots are in general based on RL personal experience but that I'm looking at the little things, the stuff that make the story seem more real, you know the stuff I'm talking about. The stuff that makes you feel like you're there, seeing these things, smelling them, even tasting them. (Oh get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking about food here. Firm juicy meat in your mouth, for example. *g*) Because these are the things I take from RL and I'm realizing chances are these are the things other authors are taking from their lives, too. Something I probably knew, I just never thought about it before.
See what I mean about reading differently? Someone eats something and you wonder, is that the author's favourite food or just something s/he had for dinner last night? They are reading a book and chances are it's the author's favourite, right? Or is it? Etc etc. It's kinda fun if sometimes a bit intruding when you really want to sink into the story, unbothered by potential realities.
Just something I was contemplating.
 | Mood: contemplative |
