My Alter Ego Vs Me...Or Kit Vs Karina
I don't know about any of you writers out there, but my heroine, whom I lovingly and painstakingly created, seems to have permanantly moved in beside me.
It's like suddenly having an invisible twin...or suffering from some mental insanity. One or the other.
I like to think Kit Sawyer, my heroine, is me. After all, I created her - of course there's going to be similarities.
But, truthfully, she's a glossy, much richer, much more gorgeous and gung-ho version of myself.
She's the me I want to be!
Yes, Kit Sawyer has become somewhat of my idol, too. Sure, she has problems, and issues - I mean, after all, she's being chased by a serial killer, and has lost her job in archaeology, and fallen in love with a man that is most definately not her husband-to-be.
So, yeah, the woman has problems.
Lots of issues tied up there, too, within her...but they're my issues, as well. We are like twins in that manner. We share a similiar history, and an almost identical view on life and what we want out of it.
But this woman is truly fantastic, in a way I long to be. She's beautiful, and rich (did I mention rich?), and ambitious, and has the world I want to live.
She's got the pink Barbie mansion by the sea (stop laughing, all of you!)...the archaeology doctorate and dream job (or, at least, did have this)...millions of dollars in her cash management account alone...and lives in my dream town - a small, seaside one (for the fans out there - all two of you - her hometown, Rastioa, Oregon, is an anagram for Astoria, Oregon...where I've longed to be all my life. Rastioa, however, is not just Astoria - it's a mix of the small, seaside town with a pinch of Surfers Paradise thrown in. Okay, you can really all stop laughing now).
Her days and nights are filled with her one true love - archaeology - as well as romance, and excitement, and pink champagne...
Obviously a big difference to my life (except for the pink champagne part).
She's curvaceous to the point of sexy...
While I'm curvaceous to the point of I've got to give up those chocolate biscuits.
She has long, lusturous, ruby-red hair, that flows about her shoulders, in a perfect manner...
And I have days where I break the brush in my hair of knots. Oh, and when my hair flies about, it ends up becoming stuck across my face, magnetically attracted to my lip gloss.
She wears pink...
Okay, I wear pink.
She has torrid, romantic affairs, or trysts, with that fabulously damaged and hot man in her life, Corky Wyatt...
Okay, perhaps we're really very similiar after all...
Kidding! Just checking if my husband's reading my posts.
Despite my heroine and I's differences, I find myself acting more and more 'Kit like' every day...
Yes, the swearing has gotten worse...
I fantasize about those little trysts with an imaginary character at a more alarming rate...
And I'm ready to karate-chop that nice old courier guy that left a parcel the other day (unless you're one of the two of my fans, you probably won't understand this line...but Kit beats up a nasty courier guy in Betrayal)...
This infuriating woman in my life whispers in my ear very witty, but controversial, things to say throughout the day, particularly to those nasty shopkeepers. She implores me to buy that bottle of pink champagne on the way home from grocery shopping (What the hell are we doing going grocery shopping? she hisses in my ear. We should be in my ghost agency, hunting ghosts...and playing with men like Corky Wyatt).
Sigh. I wish.
Of course, I wouldn't trade my mummy duties for anything...
Alright, I'll just stop the lie right there. No, I wouldn't trade them, that's the honest truth...but can't my two-year-old come along for the ride? The Kit Ride? Live out that fantastic life with me?
Of course, that cannot happen. I know Kit, and her life, isn't real...I'm not really insane, after all.
I'm just suffering from Writer's Schizophrenia. We all suffer from it, sooner or later. Otherwise we wouldn't be writing.
So, to sum up, my Alter Ego is a figment of my imagination, and she's a glossier, tougher, more attractive version of myself.
But the one thing we definately do share in spades?
Our love of pink champagne.
[I]Total Number Of Pink Champagne References in Post: Three (alright, that's a bit better)./I]
It's like suddenly having an invisible twin...or suffering from some mental insanity. One or the other.
I like to think Kit Sawyer, my heroine, is me. After all, I created her - of course there's going to be similarities.
But, truthfully, she's a glossy, much richer, much more gorgeous and gung-ho version of myself.
She's the me I want to be!
Yes, Kit Sawyer has become somewhat of my idol, too. Sure, she has problems, and issues - I mean, after all, she's being chased by a serial killer, and has lost her job in archaeology, and fallen in love with a man that is most definately not her husband-to-be.
So, yeah, the woman has problems.
Lots of issues tied up there, too, within her...but they're my issues, as well. We are like twins in that manner. We share a similiar history, and an almost identical view on life and what we want out of it.
But this woman is truly fantastic, in a way I long to be. She's beautiful, and rich (did I mention rich?), and ambitious, and has the world I want to live.
She's got the pink Barbie mansion by the sea (stop laughing, all of you!)...the archaeology doctorate and dream job (or, at least, did have this)...millions of dollars in her cash management account alone...and lives in my dream town - a small, seaside one (for the fans out there - all two of you - her hometown, Rastioa, Oregon, is an anagram for Astoria, Oregon...where I've longed to be all my life. Rastioa, however, is not just Astoria - it's a mix of the small, seaside town with a pinch of Surfers Paradise thrown in. Okay, you can really all stop laughing now).
Her days and nights are filled with her one true love - archaeology - as well as romance, and excitement, and pink champagne...
Obviously a big difference to my life (except for the pink champagne part).
She's curvaceous to the point of sexy...
While I'm curvaceous to the point of I've got to give up those chocolate biscuits.
She has long, lusturous, ruby-red hair, that flows about her shoulders, in a perfect manner...
And I have days where I break the brush in my hair of knots. Oh, and when my hair flies about, it ends up becoming stuck across my face, magnetically attracted to my lip gloss.
She wears pink...
Okay, I wear pink.
She has torrid, romantic affairs, or trysts, with that fabulously damaged and hot man in her life, Corky Wyatt...
Okay, perhaps we're really very similiar after all...
Kidding! Just checking if my husband's reading my posts.
Despite my heroine and I's differences, I find myself acting more and more 'Kit like' every day...
Yes, the swearing has gotten worse...
I fantasize about those little trysts with an imaginary character at a more alarming rate...
And I'm ready to karate-chop that nice old courier guy that left a parcel the other day (unless you're one of the two of my fans, you probably won't understand this line...but Kit beats up a nasty courier guy in Betrayal)...
This infuriating woman in my life whispers in my ear very witty, but controversial, things to say throughout the day, particularly to those nasty shopkeepers. She implores me to buy that bottle of pink champagne on the way home from grocery shopping (What the hell are we doing going grocery shopping? she hisses in my ear. We should be in my ghost agency, hunting ghosts...and playing with men like Corky Wyatt).
Sigh. I wish.
Of course, I wouldn't trade my mummy duties for anything...
Alright, I'll just stop the lie right there. No, I wouldn't trade them, that's the honest truth...but can't my two-year-old come along for the ride? The Kit Ride? Live out that fantastic life with me?
Of course, that cannot happen. I know Kit, and her life, isn't real...I'm not really insane, after all.
I'm just suffering from Writer's Schizophrenia. We all suffer from it, sooner or later. Otherwise we wouldn't be writing.
So, to sum up, my Alter Ego is a figment of my imagination, and she's a glossier, tougher, more attractive version of myself.
But the one thing we definately do share in spades?
Our love of pink champagne.
[I]Total Number Of Pink Champagne References in Post: Three (alright, that's a bit better)./I]
Celebrity Obsession
I'm so pleased to hear that. Not that I've managed to put together a full novel yet (but I'm working on it), in every partly completed one I've have laying around, my heroine is usually the person I would love to be.
She's always me.....but better!
I'm pleased it's not just me who does this.
By letting Kit whisper in your ear and encouraging you to be a bit naughty I think she's encouraging you to let just a taste of her life into yours. And why wouldn't you, she sounds kick ass! Just the kind of thing a practical mum needs in her life.
KylieW
And isn't it true that characters, novels, stories are alive with people who do what we wish we could?
And yes, I have to say I occasionally indulge in pink champagne with strawberry rafts. Second of course, to Tanqueray and tonic.
LaurenD
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Oh yes ... here we go again. Pink champagne, pink champagne ... and I notice your commenters are getting in on the act too.
Damn you people ... is it all you ever think about?
Okay, got that out of the system, now, where was I? Ah yes, the heroine.
First of all, I'm not sure how much to tell you about the similarities between myself and my heroine, Kate, since I've just sent you your first instalment of my manuscript. You might get some really strange ideas about my behaviour. But, to cut a long story short, there's a lot of me in Kate and a lot of Kate in me.
She follows me around, telling me what she does in certain situations or what she'd like to do next or whatever, but I also follow her around, whispering in her ear, telling her what to do. Sometimes she doesn't take too kindly to my suggestions!
I think she's a bit like having a non-identical twin. We look different and have our own individual personalities, likes, dislikes, etc etc, but there's a lot of similarities too.
Love this post, my dear friend.
A.H.
Motherhood
To KylieW,
I'm glad I'm not the only one...I was waiting for that lovely white van, and those lovely men in white coats, with that lovely white straight-jacket, to appear at my door at any moment...
Now I'll stop worrying about that....
Good luck with your novel...I can't wait to read it!
I love that you love my heroine, too....she's there to be loved!!
K.L.
Motherhood
To LaurenD,
Your words are sweet, and make me feel oh-so better in my insanity...
Yes, I think the book is as ready as it will ever be...popular opinion may disagree...
At least my heroine is as ready as she'll ever be!!
Thanks for visiting,
K.L.
P.S. It warms my heart that you're a pink champagne girl, too!
Motherhood
To my darling A.H.,
Yes...it is all I think about (as well as sex, imaginary men, and a land of pink lollipops and bright candy houses)....
Read the first chapter of your book....already love it, and have already drawn obvious similarities between Kate and yourself...
I love your heroine, by the way....she's so cute and neurotic (but in a lovable, just want to protect her, kind of way) and funny....
Sound like anyone else we know???
She is soooo you....love it!
Your writing, MOSTEST, sis,
K.L.
P.S. Will email you later more on your book....loving it so far! You really are one talented little chicky....
question for you, do you think its possible to actually create a character that doesnt bear a resemblence to who you are/who you want to be, without them seeming either artificial or two dimensional? or do you think that self projection into the protagonist is inescapable and/or necessary for decent, identifiable and well rounded characters?
cheers for your time.
I am Kit
I am Kit
I am Kit
You just wait to hear from my lawyer!
Motherhood
To ChrisM,
This is a good one...
It's really tricky to answer....because I would initially say what you've said, that it's inescapable (what a word!) to not project some, or all, or most of yourself into your character...
But then I've got other characters, who I think are well-developed and rounded, that are nothing like me...and I've still lovingly created them....
I don't know....what do you think (the question to ask when I have no idea myself!)
K.L.
Motherhood
To Federline,
You're an idiot.
K.L.
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Thanks, my friend. Your words mean a lot to me. I've been reading Betrayal this afternoon (instead of doing my paid work, I'll have you know) and I'm really enjoying it so far.
My Kate is terribly neurotic at times but I'd like to think I'm not that bad ...?
Um ... this is the time when you're supposed to jump in with a heart-felt, "no, of course you're not as neurotic as Kate."
Here's to you, writing Sis. I'm now going to go and continue telling Kate's story to my laptop.
A.H.
Motherhood
Hey Kate....I mean, A.H.
No, of course you're not as neurotic as Kate! Silly, neurotic you!
I hope I'm not as insane as Kit...
(This is where you step in with the obligatory lie...no, of course not, K.L. You're not insane!)
Yes, been having a pleasurable time reading your book, my dear...lovely!
There really is a lot of talent on Orble, isn't there?? Someone should hurry up and snap us up, before we're lost forever...
Don't know what that means...I'm sober...
Ha, ha!
Alright, got mummy duties to do....jobs to get to...
Your sis,
K.L.
Rugby World Cup 2007
I LOVE THIS POST!!
Sorry...I wasn't yelling...was shouting out my enthusiasm.
I have laughed and laughed and laughed...damn sugar...laughter be the music of MOSTEST...
Karina by any other name would still be so Kit.
Or vice versa.
She's not your alter ego...she's your Clark Kent. You're the SuperMan...er Woman...which means you're actually Linda Lee who is SuperGirl...ohhh..you get what I mean right?
Does that make any sense? I'm not making any sense am I? I need to go to bed....
On a trying to appear serious and sober note; I like ChrisM's question...how about a post on that Kit? I mean Karina...
yours in MOSTEST and in UnLtd laughter
Dusk
ps. See A.H.....no alcohol references...whoops sorry...
Rugby World Cup 2007
I am killing myself here!!!!
Damn you Publishing World...you have no idea what you're missing out on...
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I've been thinking about this lie that you want me to tell...
(This is where you step in with the obligatory lie...no, of course not, K.L. You're not insane!)
... thinking long and hard. It kept me awake last night as I mulled it over in my mind.
Actually, it didn't but I wanted you to think that I've been hard at work on your behalf.
Okay here goes ...
'K.L., my dear MOSTEST Sis, I don't think you're as insane as Kit, not quite, anyway.'
How was that? Did I convince you?
Oh, well, I tried ... honest.
Dusky,
Despite the alcoholic comments, you do say some beautiful things. It's people like you, giving us encouragement and support, that help people like Kit (oopps, sorry, I mean K.L.) and me in our endevours to become best-sellers.
Thank you, dear MOSTEST gin-flavoured-liquor-chocolate Sister. Only Orble could have brought us together like this.
A.H.
Motherhood
My girls,
(And you are truly both my girls, in the deepest sense of the sentence...no, not drunk, just tired!)
Whoops, slipped up with alcohol again...
Sorry!
No, seriously, you girls are fab...
DuskDevi, I love what you say....what you always say!
And A.H...you are a ruby amongst plain old diamonds...
DD, you would be a torquise sapphire, amongst plain old diamonds....
Sorry...for a writer, this was the best I could come up with!!
And this is very true...Orble brought us together...perhaps we should thank H.J., too, since I discovered you, DD, on his site...as one of his Harem groupies...
Sigh. The world is beautiful!!
Your sis forever,
K.L.
Rugby World Cup 2007
Haremember when I was young...a wee Orblite...
Ooh, I like it. I'm not a white diamond fan. I worship the Amethyst but I love sapphires!! I love turquoise!! Can I be a turquoise sapphire on a fuschia velvet cushion?? Pleeeaaase.
You my True Kit Sawyer are of course a rare pink champagne diamond, nestled amongst feathers and bubbles of varying shades of pink and lilac and aqua...sparkling vibrantly, your many facets merging to create a gem of considerable character...
By the way...I think A.H. is out for blood...I see you are there now...and I have to go...I have so much work to do and instead all I want to do is stay here and talk with my MOSTEST sisters..
Orble is going to get me fired! ...well, kinda..I work from home...
I will be back my lovelies.
Dusk
In reference to your questions........
We have really, really good communion wine at church now.
lol
One of Chesterton's remarks was that he quite liked the Catholic church because he could go to a place where he could sing, dance and drink and not have to pay for it.
No, a friend of mine whos eclectic sense of taste rivals and would more than likely be even more expansive than my own put me onto Chesterton by handing me a copy of Heretics and Orthodoxy (the part I put in Homer's blog is from Orthodoxy) and I found the man so brilliant I began to devour his works. You can find him at the gutenberg project.
He is unfortuantely, extremely dead, but still very influential. CS Lewis used to read him when he was an atheist, claiming he was the only philosopher he enjoyed because he seemed to be enjoying life.
JZ
Motherhood
To my MOSTEST DuskDevi,
Yes, I could feel A.H. nipping at my heels....a bit like a...
Oh, I won't say. I'll get us into more trouble (love ya, A.H....I truly do).
Love my gem personality you created for me, my dear....love it!!
Of course you can be on the fuschia velvet cushion....there wouldn't be a cushion without your turquoise (butt) jewel on it!!
Well, you're about to be fired, and I've got to feed a 2 year old!
Back later...
Your gem sis forever,
K.L.
Motherhood
To JZ,
Your name is now a bit like an r and b singer's name...
I like it!
Yes, that communion wine must be a corker...you were going off!! (Do the kids use that lingo anymore? Or am I sounding almost 30???)
I like Chesterton's remarks....the singing, dancing and drinking part, in particular!!
You've become a little encyclo, like I like to call our A.H...a wealth of knowledge....informing me on things I previously knew nothing about. It's great!
I love tidbits like this....that CS Lewis used to read him...stuff like that....brings the world a bit closer, doesn't it?
K.L. (who most definately does not sound like an r and b singer)
I am not even going to start rapping, hipping or hopping. JZ are my actual initials, so I think my mother is partly to blame for this.
I admit, I know alot about a abit, a bit about alot and quite a few things about quite a few things. All comes from paying attention.
As to my own alter ego?
In my case he is a little more buffed up (I have nerd muscles but I am working on it), a little smarter, alot wiser but pretty well as confident as I am. His lifestyle is definetely different (he spends alot more time writing and speaking) but that is the goal I aim at.
As for me? I try an input into my life the kind of things I will need to be that guy. And I try to do the things he does.
JZ
Motherhood
JZ,
If I tried to do the things my alter ego does, Kit, I'd quite possibly be in jail...divorced...
But having a wild time!!
I like the sounds of your alter ego...and I'm sure you're being shy about the extent of your muscles. I'm sure they're not nerd muscles (love this line, by the way...nerd muscles...cracks me up!).
If only our alter egos could just magically become us....we'd all be alot more attractive, and having a lot more fun!!
K.L. (also my real initials).
Unless we earned the nature of our alter-egos, we wouldn't appreciate them.
JZ.
(always philosophical after I finish a post)
Motherhood
To JZ,
Yes, very deep and philosophical of you...must be that after-post high.
Will be sure to check out your latest.
K.L.
(Remember to do those arm benches...you've got your alter ego to live up to, after all.
I'll remember to kick some courier guy's butt)