Are the characters based on real people?
I should emphasize that this book is definitely and entirely a work of fiction. While certain situations were suggested because of my real-life experiences, the characters and their struggles are not attempts to recreate anyone specifically.
For example, the leading role in our road show was played by the elder's quorum president. However, unlike the character in the book, he was one of the kindest, warmest men, and the most dedicated elder's quorum president I have ever known.
Likewise, while the leading lady was married to a law student, she was a cheerful and happy woman who certainly did not show any signs of post-partum depression. And while she had a lovely voice, she had not been a Young Ambassador at BYU.
Scott, the character who directs the road show and struggles with pornography is drawn from experiences I have had as a bishop counseling people who have struggled with this terrible problem. But he is not a real person, nor is he based specifically on any one person. However, in writing about his experiences, I did draw on what people have described to me in order to create what I hope is an accurate portrait of someone working to overcome an addiction. I would never use something that someone confidentially told their bishop as fodder for a story.
For me, one of the greatest joys of writing is that I start with characters in my head. As I write, though, those characters start to take on a lives and personalities of their own--they evolve very quickly. I know that is a bit of a cliche and it may sound ridiculous to some people, but in my case, it's absolutely true. So, while I might start out basing a character on someone I know, that only lasts for a few pages. The more I write, the more independent the characters become. So, Ed, for example, was modelled in appearance on someone I knew on my mission. However, he very quickly evolved into his own unique person. The same thing happened with Sister Cartwright, Brother Flortentine, and Dr. McKay.
Ironically, Sister MacDougal is one of the characters I am most attached to and have always imagined the most vividly, and she is completely made-up. She is not based in any way on anyone I have known. However, her experience being healed is based on a very real, very powerful experience.
For example, the leading role in our road show was played by the elder's quorum president. However, unlike the character in the book, he was one of the kindest, warmest men, and the most dedicated elder's quorum president I have ever known.
Likewise, while the leading lady was married to a law student, she was a cheerful and happy woman who certainly did not show any signs of post-partum depression. And while she had a lovely voice, she had not been a Young Ambassador at BYU.
Scott, the character who directs the road show and struggles with pornography is drawn from experiences I have had as a bishop counseling people who have struggled with this terrible problem. But he is not a real person, nor is he based specifically on any one person. However, in writing about his experiences, I did draw on what people have described to me in order to create what I hope is an accurate portrait of someone working to overcome an addiction. I would never use something that someone confidentially told their bishop as fodder for a story.
For me, one of the greatest joys of writing is that I start with characters in my head. As I write, though, those characters start to take on a lives and personalities of their own--they evolve very quickly. I know that is a bit of a cliche and it may sound ridiculous to some people, but in my case, it's absolutely true. So, while I might start out basing a character on someone I know, that only lasts for a few pages. The more I write, the more independent the characters become. So, Ed, for example, was modelled in appearance on someone I knew on my mission. However, he very quickly evolved into his own unique person. The same thing happened with Sister Cartwright, Brother Flortentine, and Dr. McKay.
Ironically, Sister MacDougal is one of the characters I am most attached to and have always imagined the most vividly, and she is completely made-up. She is not based in any way on anyone I have known. However, her experience being healed is based on a very real, very powerful experience.