What makes us uniquely "us?" When I was a young child, it seemed so incredible to me that other people were having experiences that I was unaware of. My parents used to look at me like something might be wrong with me! It truly troubled me trying to understand how God could create so many people and that everyone would be speaking and moving and doing something uniquely different from each other. It still seems weirdly strange to me.
So what does make us unique? Every experience we have from the day we are born creates a handprint on our life that begins to shape us into the individual we will one day become. Some people are so secure in themselves that they aren't afraid to go after what they want. These people are successful and charismatic. Then there are others who have different handprints in their lives. These people grow up insecure and with low self-esteem. Pursuing dreams is something frightening. Fear of rejection holds them back.
Have you ever thought of which you are? Have you ever given a thought to those who do have low self-esteem? Have you ever reached out to help someone who needs a boost in morale? Or are you one of those who make yourself feel more powerful by making seemingly innocent comments meant to put down others?
When creating characters in your books, do you look into the things that happened in their lives to make them "unique?"
3 comments:
That is an interesting reflection, Carol Ann.
I try to give them a background that makes then the people they are at the time the book is taking place - if that made sense!
As for myself, I've always been one of those people who suffers terribly from fear of rejection.
Great post Carol Ann!
I look into the inner workings of all my characters. I have a character in one of my books that is mean and spiteful. She served a purpose in the book. It was to bring out the strength in my h.
I've always said that I can tolerate a LOT in people, but the one thing I have no patience for is deliberate meaness. Even if it does come from being insecure. There's a point in time when you should be old enough to know better.
When I was younger, I was one of those people who had a (huge) fear of rejection. Then something happened when I was in my thirties (a decade I would NEVER go back to, but am thankful for lessons learned). All the words of wisdom my parents taught me finally began to make sense (what can I say...I was a late bloomer), and I morphed into a much more confident person.
What will be, will be with people and life. I have learned not to fear it, and also not to be personally offended by someone else's insecurities, but is sure doesn't make it any less annoying, especially when I see how it affects someone who hasn't found their inner strength yet.
I empathize with people who are hurt, (literally) and even become protective of those who are suffering.
Enjoyed your post! Have a great day!
Did you write this post specifically for me? Seriously, I have a few fears I've been working on and plan on unveiling soon in my post (not yet though) so I think this post just pushed me closer.
And yes, I do use my characters past to make them unique. After all, isn't that (along with other things) what shapes us?
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