I had an idea: I doubt it’s a unique idea, which is why I one of my questions to you, dear readers and writers of fiction, is whether or not you’ve ever seen this done before.
Imagine being able to have a conversation with Anne Rice’s Lestat, Stephenie Meyer’s Edward Cullen, Stephen King’s Annie Wilkes, or J.R.R. Tolkien’s Galadriel. Would you want to? If an author gave voice to one of his or her characters in an interactive medium, would it be just plain weird for that character to be removed from the world the author created for them? Or would it be a thrill-ride to be able to ask all the questions you have about their lives before they showed up in the story you love? Would you enjoy flirting with your favourite fictional character? Would you like to get more insight on a villain’s inner thoughts?
I’ve seen blog posts where authors interview their characters, but to let them out in public–to relinquish control over what they might have to reveal–is a different scenario.
So I ask you, apart from the question have you seen it done before, would you want it? Or is it better to let them stay put in their story?
lindaghill.com 
August 5, 2014 at 12:31 am
Sounds interesting.
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August 4, 2014 at 1:33 am
Hmmm….interesting concept, but if you take the characters out of their “world” they could learn things about your world too! Brings to mind two stories. First of all the episodes of Star Trek Next Gen concerning the character of Moriarty and then the book “Red Shirts” by John Scalzi. I found both intriguing because of the idea of the characters leaving their “stories” and learning about the world “outside.”
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August 2, 2014 at 5:49 pm
I’m planning interviews and possibly group chats with my characters. Have a friend who’s planning something similar to promote her novel. Also, Lestat? Would dominate any discussion he was in because he’s an attention hound and vain.
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August 2, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Haha! Very true about Lestat.
That’s a good idea for promotion. Thanks for mentioning it, Rose. 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 10:26 pm
I love that idea, Linda! And you could even incorporate a prompt now and then that we interview one of the characters of one of our stories, even if it is a flash fiction. That is pretty darn cool! the possibilities are endless…I like how you think, kiddo!
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August 2, 2014 at 10:04 pm
Thank you, my dear. Go ahead and take the idea for a prompt if you’d like. Mine tend to be on the simpler side at the moment. 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 7:27 pm
I interviewed my cat once. Is that the same thing?
Seriously though, it would be an interesting exercise. Although I would struggle to see a character such as Legolas in any way other than looking like Orlando Bloom.
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August 2, 2014 at 10:07 pm
Haha! I remember that interview. Very entertaining. 🙂 Well yeah, I was actually a little disappointed after reading LoTR half a dozen times and then seeing Orlando Bloom as Legolas… It works both ways I guess. 😛
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August 3, 2014 at 5:22 pm
I read all of the LoTR books before the movies and enjoyed them anyway. However I did take umbrage with some of the plot changes and extra characters written in etc. Now when I read the books, I only see Aragorn and Legolas as they were played in the movies. lol
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August 3, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Yep, that’s like seeing Tom Hanks in all the Dan Brown novels… Threw me for a loop when I saw Da Vinci Code, but now I can’t get him out of my head. 😛
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August 4, 2014 at 5:47 pm
That’s one movie I still haven’t seen because I didn’t want to see what they’d done to the book. In my head it all looks just fine. 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 4:05 pm
I’ve never imagined that it could be possible. I know that actors struggle with being confused with their characters in real life. An actor friend of mine once said that someone told him after a performance that he is a horrible person, apparently because the characters he had taken on were rather on the negative side. It took him all his will power not to repost: It is called “Acting!”
Would I like to see a character come to life? I suppose it would depend on the character and what liberties they might be allowed. Out of curiosity: how would you deliver on the idea?
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August 2, 2014 at 10:10 pm
I could see myself doing a blog post “in character.” I do have to admit that when I’m writing a character I sometimes take on his or her quirks and even opinions. I can get lost in a story and in my characters for weeks. It must be extremely inconvenient for my family.
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August 1, 2014 at 2:29 pm
What an intriguing idea! I think I would like it best if it was a well known character. Then again interviewing one of my own characters is intriguing as well.
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August 1, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Wouldn’t it be amazing to chat with a famous character? I think so, anyway. I’ve never tried the interview thing … I may at some point though. 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 2:24 pm
I interact with my characters all the time. I have to be careful not to reveal the twists and turns of the novel. My most recent story is written in a way that it would be very hard to do.
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August 1, 2014 at 2:29 pm
How do you interact? What medium do you use and who do they talk to? I’m interested. 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 2:44 pm
I have a Muse category on my blog. There are a few regular characters there, and other characters visit the Writing cabin regularly.
In my mind, it provides a bit of original fiction and promotion at the same time. I also did the “Meet my Main Character” blog tour and interviewed one of my characters.
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August 1, 2014 at 2:23 pm
Ohh! Oooh! Oooh!!!!
So…. I’ve been talking to another blogger about this EXACT IDEA — with our own characters, of course, because those are the ones we can channel the best.
I would actually love to organize a group of writers (small group for the first go) that would meet up on a text-chat client, each as one of their characters, and sit them all down for a “dinner party” — with the plan of polishing up the conversation and turning it into a short-story for all involved to share.
At best, it could be amazing! At worst, a bit of a mess that never gets shown to anyone outside the participants but probably a lot of fun anyhow.
I shall make this happen! If you’re interested, let me know and I’ll be in touch!
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August 1, 2014 at 2:26 pm
That does sound like fun! Definitely let me know if you’re doing it.
I have visions of “a horse, a priest and a vampire walk into a bar…” Haha.
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August 1, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Thinking about various characters… yeah, I could see it going that way. 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 2:33 pm
The only thing I can promise you is that mine won’t be the horse. 🙂
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August 2, 2014 at 8:28 pm
Alli, the story Giving Best up on my blog came from a bunch of chat sessions with another blogger.
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August 2, 2014 at 10:05 pm
I’ll have to check it out 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 2:01 pm
I think that authors can do this if they want, but I personally wouldn’t reveal more about my characters outside of the story. For me, I think a bit of mystery keeps things interesting for the audience, and I feel this way as a reader and a writer. As a reader, I enjoy having my own thoughts and opinions about characters, and I’m perfectly okay with them staying in the story. The mystery keeps me intersted in the book(s). As a writer, I may have numerous untold thoughts about my characters, and I enjoy letting things remain unsaid. That’s the beauty of writing. 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Thanks very much for sharing that, Rebecca. 🙂 As a reader and an author myself I agree – there are certain aspects that really need to stay private.
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August 1, 2014 at 2:09 pm
You’re very welcome! 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 2:32 pm
🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 1:52 pm
I would consider that for “Amy Dunne” in Gone Girl. That character threw me in a loop and I was left astounded. But isn’t that mystery of not exactly knowing their inner workings, alluring ?
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August 1, 2014 at 1:57 pm
There is definitely that aspect to it. Giving away too much wouldn’t be a good idea. No, the questions would have to be kept to the same sort one would ask a real human being in a polite setting. Good point. 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 1:48 pm
It’s a good idea but risky. You’d have to know the character inside&out. One line out of character and fans will hound you like a slab of raw meat.
Pulled off well it could be successful though.
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August 1, 2014 at 1:54 pm
I believe any serious writer would know his or her characters that well on a personal basis. As for the lines in the book, who doesn’t remember precisely what they said at any given time? But you’re right – the author would have to be very good at remembering what they’ve written – as regular human beings we don’t write down everything we do, so it’s forgivable to forget.
… the more I think about it as I write this comment, the more I believe you have a very good point. Thanks for that. 🙂
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August 1, 2014 at 1:48 pm
I agree with Charles. I think it would be better for a very limited and personal audience.
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August 1, 2014 at 1:50 pm
So you wouldn’t just offer it to the public if you were to do it?
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August 1, 2014 at 1:53 pm
If I become the next Rowling? Sure. Otherwise, they likely won’t care. And anyway, what better way to get a slathered up fan in my hotel room than a little role play? (I kid, I kid)
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August 1, 2014 at 1:58 pm
Haha! I suppose that would depend on the character. 😉
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August 1, 2014 at 1:45 pm
I like that idea and I’ve tried it with mine at times. I think the challenge is finding people who read the books and want to interact. Seems it can be very hit-and-miss, but would probably get a lot of attention if it was a universally known character like Lestat or Gollum.
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August 1, 2014 at 1:48 pm
That would be precious indeed! 😀
I wonder why the big authors have never done it. I wonder if I’m just being shortsighted, in considering doing so, as to the possible complications that might come up.
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August 1, 2014 at 2:43 pm
Could be an issue of time and putting it together. You’d have a flood of questions and probably not be able to get to all of them in an open forum setting.
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August 1, 2014 at 2:45 pm
True enough. It would be like an open interview for the author – not easy to do.
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August 1, 2014 at 3:24 pm
You would probably need a filter for repeat and rude questions too.
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