Putting the genie back in the bottle.

[gravesbane]

In acting there is a style called “Method Acting” which requires you to draw on real emotions from your past in order to give a convincing performance. I believe writing is very similar in that your characters, to be truly believable, must come from inside you. Not only do they come from inside you, they are a part of you. How do you keep from letting these voices from changing you? To be frank I am a little concerned a character, an anti-hero, will bring out a part of me I would rather stay hidden. In other words folk, How do you get the genie back in the bottle?

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

In acting there is a style called “Method Acting” which requires you to draw on real emotions from your past in order to give a convincing performance. I believe writing is very similar in that your characters, to be truly believable, must come from inside you. Not only do they come from inside you, they are a part of you. How do you keep from letting these voices from changing you? To be frank I am a little concerned a character, an anti-hero, will bring out a part of me I would rather stay hidden. In other words folk, How do you get the genie back in the bottle?

If they're still around and alive in your head, listen to them and tell the rest of their story.  When their stories are done they will leave you in peace.

[gravesbane]

I tought maybe this topic would spur a bit of interest, but alas not so.   Thank you for your reply. It just seems to me that bring out these inner demons and giving them a voice could be a little dangerous to one's mind.

[meg_evonne]

If they're still around and alive in your head, listen to them and tell the rest of their story.  When their stories are done they will leave you in peace.

I had the same thought and agree.  I can tell you though that method acting can pull out a lot of stuff you don't even remember happening.  Some think that going deeply into those vague memories and giving them depth and a 3D quality some actors are convinced must be a past life experience etc. 

One of my favorite excercises to see great authors and actors do, is to bring their character to a new location and outside script or plot to have people question the character.  Stuff will zing up to the surface that will amaze you.  If you get yourself grounded in that--you'll never be stumped if the backdrop falls down during a performance--your character will wing it in character, because you've intimately brought the character alive inside you.

Finally--yes, your fear also has some real concern that does surface for actors at least.  Method actors who take on certain characters report having the "play" coming to their own lives--even being conscious of what's happening doesn't always keep the marriage safe from divorce after being in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for example.   Maybe some caution to make sure you are controlling your characters and not the other way around is crucial if you are an extremely 'sensitive' writer.   


AND the usual statement---it's only my humble opinion and your own instincts are probably more important.  I just hope you wouldn't set aside a character out of fear of embracing it's "vile" side.  Some great fiction never would have been writen if the author stuffed the creepy guy in a desk somewhere where it would die....

[Noey]

I actually think delving into the darker side of yourself to pull out nasty characters is therapeutic. It's better than letting some things fester, and it helps get some of the author's darker emotions and feelings out where they can be safely expressed. Sure, you're going to a bad place in yourself, but it's better to acknowledge that bad place is there and deal with it, I think. To put the genie back in the bottle, I think honestly just knowing why it's there would help. A little introspection never hurts, and could add a lot of depth to your writing. The better you know yourself, the better you know your characters.

[meg_evonne]

Visit writingexcuses.com and check out the villians podcast.  Might help.

[gravesbane]

Thanks I'll give that podcast a listen.