What kind of fictional characters have you created, if any? What fictional characters do you like?--Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), August 23, 2000

Answers

I've created fiction for as long as I can remember, and started writing it around the age of 6 (on my dad's typewriter). I write the type of fiction that I would like to read, which usually means sci-fi or magic fantasy, though not exclusively. The main characters are usually talented in some significant way - and they are usually male. I have a real problem creating believable female characters. Or even knowing what would be a believable female character. I also have some difficulties making good group interactions, which is something I love in fictional characters. For example, when I read superhero comics like JLA, X-men or Gen-13, I much prefer the parts with the internal relationship stuff over the fighting. Sadly I seem unable to create such writing myself. My characters tend towards the independent and introspective.

-- Magnus Itland (itlandm@netcom.no), August 23, 2000.

I had a rough childhood, so I did write stories to comfort myself. Rather than creating "fantasy" characters, I always wrote stories of myself, having some adventure that brought me into contact with people I saw on T.V. - for example, I would have an adventure with the "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" gang. Or I'd be in a Star Trek through the Universe with Spock. The Beatles. The Monkees. (Hey, I was a kid...) The stories always ended with these great guys finding out what I was really like inside, and falling in love. We'd ride off together in the sunset, in a cool G.T.O. - I wrote 43 of those stories.

When I got older, I wrote a story about a retirement home, where the residents solve local mysteries and crimes - unbeknownst to the townspeople, who think these older folks are too feeble to do anything.

I wrote another story about an old guy that collects antique buttons. When he holds the buttons in his hand, he can read it's "story" - who wore it, and what happened while the button was being worn. He finds a button on the ground, while on a walk in the park. It was worn during a murder - and he begins to solve the crime with the partial story he gets from the button.

As you can see, not much to read - but I found comfort in my work.

-- Planet Earth (imagine@industrial-ideas.com), August 23, 2000.

My constant childhood companion, Big Bill who was real to me and great company for an only child. Of course I was Little Bill and looked upon him as an all knowing mentor. Our communication with each other was complete and loving as well as mischievious, humorus and fun loving.

One day in my teens, I realized Big Bill was no longer with me and my numerous friends had filled the gap. At that time came the realization that Big Bill was a creation of this dumb brain of mine and really didn't know any more than I did. But -- he did give me lots of companionship and his calm friendly advice was probably a means of giving me time to think things over to a rational conclusion.

But it worked. I miss him still.

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), August 26, 2000.