Obsession over characters

I never thought I would be the type of writer who would have a muse. Certain people do inspire me for perseverance or personality but this one has really stuck with me and had inspired me to write a couple of books. I feel I know his personality so well to the point he truly is real to me and that makes the character I write about that much more relatable. It’s also one of the reasons I don’t like to get to know actors/ actresses outside of their role because many times it ruins it finding out what they are like. It’s the character they portrayed and not really the person playing the role I’m addicted to.

Whether the character is from a movie, book or one I’ve created myself. I have found myself getting not just addicted but obsessed with a character. I know I’m not alone when I see many forms of fan fiction or the simple fact that merchandise sold with that character on it finds its way into others homes.

There are many reasons personally why I get obsessed with characters and it isn’t only the ones I’ve created for my own stories. I loved the Harry Potter series simply because we were fortunate as an audience to see the same actors play them and grow along with the characters themselves, at least in the movies. As far as the books are concerned there is so much of their personal lives you feel as though you are along for the journey as a friendly observer and you see how everything affects them. What difficulty they’ve had to overcome not just physically but emotionally. J.K Rowling developed her characters quite well that they really reflect and come across as real people even though they are fictional.

Other characters I’ve been addicted to were either their personality, what the writer had the character endure during their written life or simply a look/expression the actor/ actress gives while acting. I always make it a point to read the book and see the movie. I might not like the changes they make in the movie from the authors original perspective but sometimes they can give it a different angle. Almost like fan fiction and see how the outcome would be if a few things were changed. Sadly, in some there are massive changes it’s no longer after the original content at all other than in name. Cassandra Claire is an example of this with her Mortal Instruments series. I enjoyed the book and the first movie but could not get myself to follow along with the television series.

I do want to note I am obsessed with the character and not the person portraying them and I don't at all encourage or endorse stalking of the actual person portraying the character.

One of the book series I loved is from Darren Chan, Cirque Du Freak. I loved the movie and the books. There are 12 books in the series and well worth the read. I loved the story he created however the writing style isn't one of my favorites. From his book series, I became addicted to the character Larten. I would imagine or dream him in other situations and events. This would also be considered fan fiction. Only difference is that I don't write fan fiction on paper or share my thoughts about story lines however I do enjoy reading what others have written when it comes to fan fiction.

A goal of mine is that I need some kind of connection or even to the point of being addicted to my own characters that I write. I know I won’t like all but there needs to be some quality to each. I have a few who I am addicted to simply because of the way they think, treat others, adventurous determination or stubbornness. If I don’t feel the connection with the I have a hard time believing my readers would either.