The first act of insight is throw away the labels. In fiction, while we do not necessarily write about ourselves, we write out of ourselves, using ourselves; what we learn from, what we are sensitive to, what we feel strongly about--these become our characters and go to make our plots. Characters in fiction are conceived from within, and they have, accordingly, their own interior life; they are individuals every time.
In Eudora Welty's book "On Writing," she emphasizes the importance of moving beyond labels when creating fiction. Writers draw from their personal experiences, emotions, and observations to shape their characters and plots. While the stories may not directly mirror the authors' lives, the internal landscapes and feelings of the writers heavily influence their creations.
Welty highlights that fictional characters are crafted from the writer's inner world, making them unique individuals with distinct interior lives. This connection between the author and their characters allows for authentic storytelling, as the writer's sensitivity to their surroundings shapes the narratives they create.
