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?
I reckon there's something of us in every character we write, however tenuous. That's one of writing's problems - when readers see the people we create they're seeing parts of us too.
I can't say I've ever used myself as a deliberate character-base, though. Interesting idea, but I'm far to boring a person :)
I tend to choose attributes I admire from friends and relatives and then build a person around them. That way my characters are merely inspired by someone's traits else rather such a direct transplant.
I don't do this myself but if it works for you there's no reason to stop.
And I think all writers are slightly mad and need help, why else would they keep doing it?