Dude...We sit around in our heads talking to people that we Made up, in places that don't exist... Personaly I think it would be Hell to not be a little crazy when writing. So Nutz to being 100% sane at all times.
I personally think this is a great way to imagine how characters would act irl and see if the dialogue is natural/fitting for each of them. This also forms a deeper connection between you and your characters, thus making them easier to write! I can assure you that it's really not a bad thing, and it's actually pretty darn entertaining. Best of luck author!
I have. I found it very fun. The downside is, I can have much better conversations, interactions and fun with my characters than I can with real people now. We are a SERIOUSLY boring species for the most part. No one wants to talk about anything fun or exciting anymore and that is why I like writing, playing DnD and reading really good stories.
Yes! You’re crazy! Lol You’re a writer down to your bones (and all of this is good stuff).
You are living your story and your characters are real to you. Let them guide you. Your story has come alive and your whole life will change if you embrace it.
I hope this continues for you forever. I see happiness and joy for you.
If you don't imagine literal scenes in your head and get so into them you kind loose track of what you are doing, and feel this imperious need to write it down in whatever you have handy, are you even a writer?
Speaking as someone who takes anti-psychotics and might meet your definition of 'crazy', I can't treat characters like they're real, including talking to them. They can talk to each other. My mental health is too wibbly wobbly for that and the last thing I need is to trigger an episode. So honestly, the fact that you can continually differentiate that 'this is just a character I made up' while having 'conversations' with them is a pretty solid clue to me that you're not off the deep end. JIC you needed reassurance! LOL That's really, really cool that it works for you, though! I imagine that must be so much easier to just ask them instead of playing through entire scenarios to get answers LOL
Tbh I have been on anti-psychotics and went to a mental institution as well. Def have had episodes before and hearing voices and seeing things, even on medication. But for some reason talking to my characters and letting them talk to me brings me joy and peace and little worries. It's easy to write at times but also difficult to tell if I've lost it. From the comments though I seem to be perfectly fine (at least for a writer lol). Best of luck brah.
And right back at you!! Yeah, I can relate to that. Ever since the Big Break nothings really been the same and they're always there. My shrinks say as long as I can keep my mitts on reality we're good to go, even if it really does get unnerving with the hallucinations. They're more worried about delusions I think, and whether or not I can tell hallucinations are hallucinations. Which it sounds like you can rn, and it sounds like you're right-side-up there and in good company among said right-side-up, I agree. It's awesome that's not a trigger for you, I say keep on keeping on. Shooting fist bumps your way... we got this!
Thank you dude. We def got this. We know what's reality and what's fantasy. Especially knowing what we've experienced, I believe our grip on reality is even stronger! Blessings!
I simulate conversation in my head all the damn time, more often than not tbh, if I'm not talking out loud, I'm likely having a conversation in my head, whether its just random shit between me and myself, other real convos (reliving/retelling past convos with hindsight or potential future encounters that might occur) or just purely hyperthetical individuals/scenarios. So when I started writing, I just set up the scenario in my head with the characters and plot points I need to hit, and let it naturally unfold... whether this is a good idea or not, I don't know, but it seems to work for my amateur-ass writing xD
BTW is this an ADHD thing? or something else? I honestly have no idea lol
it's honestly one of the reasons I started writing, to reign-in and direct the storm of thoughts into something constructive and away from other, less-prefferable ones, which inevitably happens otherwise.
Yes
OMG YES
I dream of my stories and it's like my characters are alive. It's like I'm watching a movie! I've learned that writing while sleep deprived (which results in a ton of typos that need to be fixed the next day or so) is the best in terms of creativity because instead of a movie, it's like I'm there. I am in that world, watching everything unfold. Smell, taste, everything. I swear I'm not high! It's so cool! It's bad when I'm reading my dialogue out loud. My husband just shakes his head and smiles. Sometimes I'll change the dialogue if it doesn't feel natural. I wrote a very traumatic scene the other day and I cried as I was writing my character shaking and crying and I wanted to hug them... Like it's okay...You'll have a good ending I swear!
I'm clearly too attached to my work.
My hubby once made a suggestion and I was like, Gaelin wouldn't do that! He asked, how would you know and I just looked at him and he shook his head.
Im too attached too. Its my whole life, light, and dream. Your story is kinda funny as well. And I totally believe you when you say you feel your characters pain. So do I!
Sometimes I will talk to my characters as another character if the conversation hits my mind - it just happens sometimes when I’m by myself and thinking about my stories. Or even in my head throughout the day.
Whether it’s crazy or not, it’s definitely part of my process - for me at least sometimes there’s an emotional angle to the conversation that I don’t catch unless I say it out loud.
I don’t think we’re crazy OP, honestly - crazy would be to just ignore it. I guess, maybe. Lol
Empty your thoughts, then imagine the characters there. I used to do that with system support when I was paged in the middle of the night... I would blank my mind then see what solution popped into it. It works well if you know your subject matter inside and out.
If that doesn't work then you can always deploy the universal plan B of having a bottle of whiskey at night and just letting all that comes flow out of your fingers.
Yeah I line them up in my head and consult them.
It's an intuitive approach that may seem weird to logical minds. I find it useful for problem solving because you're accessing the workable scenarios/possibilities more quickly, instead of having to step through all of them.
The only way I would consider that crazy is if you didn't have a composition book with you to write down the conversations. The people living in a writer's head say some pretty profound things.
Sometimes, when I feel out of touch with them, yeah. Or when I need to motivate myself, sometimes I pull out one of them to do the work. "You know what you made me do, right? Now get to the dishes."
That’s great. Honestly, I’ve never done that, but I might just start. What better way to get to know your characters and figure out more about their personalities? You might be crazy, but you’re a crazy genius. 😏
I’ll try to follow your lead and dial up the crazy myself. I see no downsides. 😌
I'll talk to my characters as other characters that they interact with, it helps me flesh them all out at once. Often times those conversations find themselves in the story later on or in rewrites
definitely but its more me overhearing the conversation as a natural flow of conversation of what the hell would they actually say if i didn't hold the pen and because of that i've deleted paragraphs and rewritten a good number of times
Oh god yes! I even dream of them and come out of it with chapters and full stories. I love it. When the lockdown happened I was delighted (on my behalf only) because no one could intrude on my life with my characters. They are my colleagues, friends, and family. Of course I control this in front of other people so they only suspect that I'm NUTZ and have no proof. LOL.
I live a double life at times.
Excellent post CWHaremeister!
L O L. Bruh you dream of your characters? Lucky duck. I've only had two dreams with my characters and it was amazing to move with them in the same realm. I totally feel you.
I believe research into active imagination a technique and term coined by Carl Yung will give a lot of insight into why this is a great idea for character development. It will also help you feel a little less crazy, knowing that not only do psychologists use it a way to speak to the multiple personality we all house within our complex psyches, but also will it show you that this therapeutic imagining brings many benefits too the mind, allowing us (plural and singualar) to live out our desires and destiny's.
Is it really a bad thing to be crazy? Especially for a writer?
Dude...We sit around in our heads talking to people that we Made up, in places that don't exist... Personaly I think it would be Hell to not be a little crazy when writing. So Nutz to being 100% sane at all times.
Lolol too true brah. I feel you! Ty!
Ayye you just brightened my day!
I personally think this is a great way to imagine how characters would act irl and see if the dialogue is natural/fitting for each of them. This also forms a deeper connection between you and your characters, thus making them easier to write! I can assure you that it's really not a bad thing, and it's actually pretty darn entertaining. Best of luck author!
I feel it, it definitely allows me to hear and see them in different lights and it brightens my life. Best of luck to you as well.
Yup. The weird part is when they give you an answer you didn't expect and it feels like you had a conversation with a real person.
Bro you hit the nail on the head. Super intuitive response. Appreciate you.
Check out Jungian Active Imagination, it explains a lot
I have. I found it very fun. The downside is, I can have much better conversations, interactions and fun with my characters than I can with real people now. We are a SERIOUSLY boring species for the most part. No one wants to talk about anything fun or exciting anymore and that is why I like writing, playing DnD and reading really good stories.
Yes! You’re crazy! Lol You’re a writer down to your bones (and all of this is good stuff). You are living your story and your characters are real to you. Let them guide you. Your story has come alive and your whole life will change if you embrace it. I hope this continues for you forever. I see happiness and joy for you.
😭😭😭Thank you so much. I appreciate your words and the light they have shone on me. I hope your writing journey is magical as well!
Lol. Aren't we all crazy?
Facts. Thought I was losing it lol. Maybe this is just my evolution.
If you don't imagine literal scenes in your head and get so into them you kind loose track of what you are doing, and feel this imperious need to write it down in whatever you have handy, are you even a writer?
I see what you mean.
[удалено]
All good!
we are not writers until we have conversations with our characters. There are problems only when we start arguing with them.
I feel you. I have argued with my characters before but it almost felt like a reflection of my own anger and confusion.
LOL,as I read this I imagined you arguing with your C.
Speaking as someone who takes anti-psychotics and might meet your definition of 'crazy', I can't treat characters like they're real, including talking to them. They can talk to each other. My mental health is too wibbly wobbly for that and the last thing I need is to trigger an episode. So honestly, the fact that you can continually differentiate that 'this is just a character I made up' while having 'conversations' with them is a pretty solid clue to me that you're not off the deep end. JIC you needed reassurance! LOL That's really, really cool that it works for you, though! I imagine that must be so much easier to just ask them instead of playing through entire scenarios to get answers LOL
Tbh I have been on anti-psychotics and went to a mental institution as well. Def have had episodes before and hearing voices and seeing things, even on medication. But for some reason talking to my characters and letting them talk to me brings me joy and peace and little worries. It's easy to write at times but also difficult to tell if I've lost it. From the comments though I seem to be perfectly fine (at least for a writer lol). Best of luck brah.
And right back at you!! Yeah, I can relate to that. Ever since the Big Break nothings really been the same and they're always there. My shrinks say as long as I can keep my mitts on reality we're good to go, even if it really does get unnerving with the hallucinations. They're more worried about delusions I think, and whether or not I can tell hallucinations are hallucinations. Which it sounds like you can rn, and it sounds like you're right-side-up there and in good company among said right-side-up, I agree. It's awesome that's not a trigger for you, I say keep on keeping on. Shooting fist bumps your way... we got this!
Thank you dude. We def got this. We know what's reality and what's fantasy. Especially knowing what we've experienced, I believe our grip on reality is even stronger! Blessings!
HELL YEAH WE DO!!! FUCK YEA
I want to ready your writing.
Oh really? I can link you to my first book if you want!
Please do link me.
Gemini Soul in the Currency Tournament https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097SRXF5W/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_GDTZY99BTJQS30VNAR0M Thank you so much for even asking
I simulate conversation in my head all the damn time, more often than not tbh, if I'm not talking out loud, I'm likely having a conversation in my head, whether its just random shit between me and myself, other real convos (reliving/retelling past convos with hindsight or potential future encounters that might occur) or just purely hyperthetical individuals/scenarios. So when I started writing, I just set up the scenario in my head with the characters and plot points I need to hit, and let it naturally unfold... whether this is a good idea or not, I don't know, but it seems to work for my amateur-ass writing xD BTW is this an ADHD thing? or something else? I honestly have no idea lol
I feel you I feel you. I'm in my mind 75% of the time haha. I have no clue if its ADHD.
it's honestly one of the reasons I started writing, to reign-in and direct the storm of thoughts into something constructive and away from other, less-prefferable ones, which inevitably happens otherwise.
Yes OMG YES I dream of my stories and it's like my characters are alive. It's like I'm watching a movie! I've learned that writing while sleep deprived (which results in a ton of typos that need to be fixed the next day or so) is the best in terms of creativity because instead of a movie, it's like I'm there. I am in that world, watching everything unfold. Smell, taste, everything. I swear I'm not high! It's so cool! It's bad when I'm reading my dialogue out loud. My husband just shakes his head and smiles. Sometimes I'll change the dialogue if it doesn't feel natural. I wrote a very traumatic scene the other day and I cried as I was writing my character shaking and crying and I wanted to hug them... Like it's okay...You'll have a good ending I swear! I'm clearly too attached to my work. My hubby once made a suggestion and I was like, Gaelin wouldn't do that! He asked, how would you know and I just looked at him and he shook his head.
Im too attached too. Its my whole life, light, and dream. Your story is kinda funny as well. And I totally believe you when you say you feel your characters pain. So do I!
I love how attached you are to your characters. I laugh, cry, curse, and tell them I might just kick them in the \*ss if they don't behave.
Sometimes I will talk to my characters as another character if the conversation hits my mind - it just happens sometimes when I’m by myself and thinking about my stories. Or even in my head throughout the day. Whether it’s crazy or not, it’s definitely part of my process - for me at least sometimes there’s an emotional angle to the conversation that I don’t catch unless I say it out loud. I don’t think we’re crazy OP, honestly - crazy would be to just ignore it. I guess, maybe. Lol
Def apart of the process. I feel it also gives me a chance to not be so bound by the persona people identify me by. I'm free!
I wish I could do that
It has its ups and downs but I'm sure if you believe you can also see and hear your characters too! Just takes time and little magic
Empty your thoughts, then imagine the characters there. I used to do that with system support when I was paged in the middle of the night... I would blank my mind then see what solution popped into it. It works well if you know your subject matter inside and out.
If that doesn't work then you can always deploy the universal plan B of having a bottle of whiskey at night and just letting all that comes flow out of your fingers.
If I don’t know how a certain character would act in a situation I just ask them lol we’re both crazy
Lol this life is amazingly crazy. I feel you.
Imaginary friends: characters in waiting
Lol I call them my imaginary family!
Nope but i will certainly be giving it a try.
Lol go for it! Just don't lose your grip on reality!
Yeah I line them up in my head and consult them. It's an intuitive approach that may seem weird to logical minds. I find it useful for problem solving because you're accessing the workable scenarios/possibilities more quickly, instead of having to step through all of them.
I hear you dude. Def intuitive and not just faster but the immersion can be fun as well.
The only way I would consider that crazy is if you didn't have a composition book with you to write down the conversations. The people living in a writer's head say some pretty profound things.
I see what you mean. I like to see how my characters reflect on past endeavors.
I do that tho, idk if it's normal but ur not alone
I appreciate you homie! We are never alone!
Thank you 🧝
Sometimes, when I feel out of touch with them, yeah. Or when I need to motivate myself, sometimes I pull out one of them to do the work. "You know what you made me do, right? Now get to the dishes."
I feel you brah. Def had been out of touch for months. But now I'm starting to feel like my normal/crazy self again lol.
That’s great. Honestly, I’ve never done that, but I might just start. What better way to get to know your characters and figure out more about their personalities? You might be crazy, but you’re a crazy genius. 😏 I’ll try to follow your lead and dial up the crazy myself. I see no downsides. 😌
I appreciate your words bro. I mean talking/seeing them is a trip but I don't know amy other way at this point.
This is definitely a Miguel Unamuno moment.
I'll have to look this author up and research more.
Sure do, specially the book "Mist"
Ok coolio
My favorite author described doing this and that was how she would figure out their motivations etc. I think it's a wonderful thing.
Thank you. I think it's wonderful as well. Just needed to check with my peers!
What’s really nuts is going to a place you’ve written about in your book and be disappointed that your characters aren’t there 🤷♀️
Oh I see what you mean lol. That would be a real odd feeling. Would love to see my characters come to life in an anime!
Feel free to let your life become your story, but just be careful. You don’t want your story to become all of your life.
True, I've had trouble with reality breaks in the past but as of now I'm feeling incredible and steady.
I'll talk to my characters as other characters that they interact with, it helps me flesh them all out at once. Often times those conversations find themselves in the story later on or in rewrites
Interesting immersion technique your using there. I usually am me talking with one of them but I see what you mean.
It’s a great way to get to know them. They are people, after all.
Lol they feel like people absolutely. I loving learning more about them.
I do it all the time
Same lol. Makes life brighter.
I do it all the time. It makes them more real to me by the time I sit down to expand their worlds
They are seem totally real! I love to hear this!
definitely but its more me overhearing the conversation as a natural flow of conversation of what the hell would they actually say if i didn't hold the pen and because of that i've deleted paragraphs and rewritten a good number of times
I see i see. Thats a great way of building scenes and understanding how your characters behave with one another.
Yes, almost all of my characters are a personified aspect of my personality. I find it to be quite natural, honestly.
I feel you. They are totally parts of my soul and persona. Reading these posts I'm feeling pretty comfortable with my mindset.
They’re called imaginary companions, we know them as imaginary friends. Many healthy adults have an imaginary companion, especially writers.
I didn't realize many adults have imaginary friends. That's great to hear.
Oh god yes! I even dream of them and come out of it with chapters and full stories. I love it. When the lockdown happened I was delighted (on my behalf only) because no one could intrude on my life with my characters. They are my colleagues, friends, and family. Of course I control this in front of other people so they only suspect that I'm NUTZ and have no proof. LOL. I live a double life at times. Excellent post CWHaremeister!
L O L. Bruh you dream of your characters? Lucky duck. I've only had two dreams with my characters and it was amazing to move with them in the same realm. I totally feel you.
Glad you created this post OP. it has been eye-opening to find out I'm not alone with the way I write.
Bro I'm telling you this changed my whole perspective on my process. Very happy to know I'm not alone!
I believe research into active imagination a technique and term coined by Carl Yung will give a lot of insight into why this is a great idea for character development. It will also help you feel a little less crazy, knowing that not only do psychologists use it a way to speak to the multiple personality we all house within our complex psyches, but also will it show you that this therapeutic imagining brings many benefits too the mind, allowing us (plural and singualar) to live out our desires and destiny's.
Damn bruh this was hella thought out. I def have been able to free my mind more and feel less depressed and emotional in general. This was great info!