Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Thursday's Children: Inspired by Revenge

As a writer toiling in mostly quiet obscurity (or quiet mostly obscurity), I've enjoyed connecting with other writers through contests, the Blueboards, and Twitter. Then I heard about this blog hop...Thursday's Children, where writers talk about inspiration. Sounds like fun, another way to make new friends and share the writing journey.

Inspiration comes through so many sources but I thought I would focus on one that is so sweet: revenge.

Now, as a good person (ahem), I don't believe in actually getting revenge on people. Living well and all that. Plus who wants to lower themselves to be like THAT?

(sounds of hands rubbing together with cackles of glee) But I do have a saying: Don't Piss Off A Writer!

In our deft hands, the most egregious character flaws, personality disorders, iniquities, screwing-overs and "f***** withs" can be avenged through a discreet character assassination, er, portrayal. Names and identifying characteristics changed to protect the guilty, of course. More likely, the writer's pocketbook, life, and personal property.

Think of it: the jerks in your family, ex-lovers, horrible bosses, obnoxious co-workers, all those creatures who have messed with your mind and life--don't they inspire you to create truly authentic portraits of the vile underbelly of humankind?

I thought so. Lift one and toast the writer's fount: revenge!



Here’s the WordPress Linky List
<!– start LinkyTools script –>
<p><b>Powered by Linky Tools</b></p><p><a href=”http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=188544&type=basic“>Click here</a> to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…</p>
<!– end LinkyTools script –>
And here’s the Blogger one 
<!– start LinkyTools script –>
<script src=”http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=188544” type=”text/javascript”></script>
<!– end LinkyTools script –>
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

13 comments:

Unknown said...

I'd like to say it doesn't happen, but we all do it! Also because I think there is often such good emotional depths to plumb when you consider your own experiences with people of this ilk!

John Krissilas said...

Haha! I don't think I've ever based a character on someone I know, but I DO enjoy creating jerk-type characters based on some of my experiences.

I like the challenge of creating someone so annoying and douchey that even the reader just wants to punch them in the face! :)

Thanks for sharing, hope to see you next week.

Liz Penney said...

Thanks for your comments! :)

Chris Allen-Riley said...

I will totally own up to a bit of revenge writing here and there. And I felt much better afterward, too. ;)

Mia Celeste said...

I've a t-shirt from Angry Authors that says, "You're dangerously close to being killed off in my novel," that echoes your sentiments.

I wish you well in your new position.

http://www.miaceleste.com/?p=227

Elaine said...

That's interesting. I don't necessarily base characters I create literally on people I've known in my life, but definitely aspects of some of them come into it. And yes it is a kind of revenge.

Trish Esden said...


Gosh, I even get revenge on myself by using jerky things I did as a teenager. Revenge is truly a fun source of inspiration.

Unknown said...

I don't even want to say how many people have ended up in my books out of revenge. I think Sicilians have a saying: "Revenge is the sweetest passion." Agreed.

Anonymous said...

HA! LOVE THIS! It made me laugh out loud. "Don't piss off a writer" I'm like: Please DO piss me off (in my mind)lol! Great writing material for revenge.

Michaele Stoughton said...

You sound evil. I LIKE IT!
Glad you joined the hop.

Anonymous said...

I don't know why my comment from the other day didn't show up...Anyway, I think I said "Congratulations!" and that I hoped you'd join us again next week. Oh, and also that The Fool tarot card inspired part of my second book.

K. L. Hallam said...

Nothing is wasted-- every annoying, challenging person can make the alchemical transformation onto our writing pages, and blossom into useful characters.

We can even take ALL of those annoying people and turn them into one formidable force---oooh...I think I'm becoming inspired by revenge now, as well.

Unknown said...

I totally agree. Just call me the Count of Montecristo! Thanks for joining us :-)