RTW: Peas in a Pod

Road Trip Wednesday is a “Blog Carnival,” where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on their blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

This Week’s Topic: Who (from real life) have you written into a book?

In the manuscript I’m currently querying, Where Poppies Bloom, Callie is sent to Oregon for the summer to help her Aunt Lucy renovate an old Victorian into a B&B. Aunt Lucy is the type of person who tells it like it is. She’s sort of eccentric, easily distracted, and nosy. Under stress, she becomes anxious. She’s an excellent cook and is really into 1980s fashion and music. In my head, Aunt Lucy looks something like Debra Messing on one of her wild, curly-haired days.

That said, please meet the inspiration for Callie’s Aunt Lucy:

My first baby, Lucy 'Pup'perman

That’s right. Fictional Aunt Lucy is based heavily on my dog, also called Lucy. They share similar characteristics: My Lucy is unpredictable, in-your-face, and a bit neurotic. Though she’s never voiced a particular taste in music, I get the impression she’s totally into Bon Jovi and Motley Crue. She doesn’t cook, but she’s passionate about peanut butter and bacon. And hello?! She’s a redhead!

What about you? Have you ever based a character on a “person” from your real life? And don’t forget to stop by YA Highway to see how everyone else responded!

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19 thoughts on “RTW: Peas in a Pod”

    • katyupperman says:

      Thanks, Alicia! I named the cat in Where Poppies Bloom after my other dog, Daisy. I think she might be a little offended that her name is now shared by a fictional cat, so sshhhhh!

    • katyupperman says:

      Yes, she’s a wonderful dog. Very good with out daughter, and full of spunk. That’s one of the reasons she was easy inspiration for a human character!

  9. Alison says:

    Love it! You completely got me with Lucy the dog – I was expecting a real-life Aunt Lucy!
    PS – I have a skunk (yes, a skunk) in one of my stories – inspired by my husband’s pet when he was growing up.

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