OK, so, I sometimes do this thing, where, when I get an idea, I first cast myself in the lead role under the name "Mia". Basically, this means that I can put myself into a certain situation but it's not really me. "Mia" changes each time I write. She can be confident and clever, or she can very sad and vulnerable. Eventually of course, I will give "Mia" a new name, a new home, and basically develop her into a completly fictional character with her own life. But by using "Mia" I manage to develop the emotions. I was just wondering does anyone else do that or is this really really weird and possibly an indication that I am slightly mad and need help?
It is more common than you might imagine.
I have lived, and continue to live a life that puts me in unusual situations. As a writer it would be impossible, in fact delinquent of me to ignore them as inspiration or source material.
My approach is to start to write about an event in first person, expand upon it, then convert to third person.
There is no right or wrong, no mad or ‘really really weird'. Just you, your methodology and style.
Good luck!
Ive never put myself in a position of a main character, but always one of my characters has had some aspect of me in there so I can see that point of view.
I tend to add a bit of him then a bit of her and then something from the past then come up with a monster or two.