Stranger than Fiction?

Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!

This week, Froggie picked the topic: You've been asked to create a character based upon you for a fiction book. Please tell about your character...

Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock

I think I'm quite a character to begin with...

Seriously though, I'd probably exaggerate upon various facets of my personality. I think there are so many layers to me that could be fun for a fictional piece.

First of all, I know I'd like to read about a woman who has gone from spending Saturday afternoons at the mall to spending them at Shabbos lunches. In other words, a woman who has become ba'al tshuva (a Jew who was once non-observant and is now observant). There are so many things that can be done with that part of the story. I could exaggerate my levels of observance to contrast even more with my levels of non-observance from the past. Toss in family members on both sides (some being observant and some being non-observant) and that makes for some interesting drama. Then add in the friends from both sides of her life (those who knew me back when and those who know me now). I'd be eating ice cream at a Kosher restaurant and comparing it to a Frosty from Wendy's, but no one would have a clue what I meant.

Since I am married with kids, I wouldn't want to change any of that. I would definitely want to focus on the aspect of being a working mother and all the interesting challenges that come with that role, as well as the judgmental attitudes that go along with it. Plus, I'd want to add in some funny kid quotes from time to time. I can get away with talking about bodily functions if a kid is saying it.

You also can't have a story about me without some pop culture references. However, since I love the 90's, I'd want to do an exaggeration where all my pop culture references come from the 90's. I'd be quoting "Friends," Alanis Morissette songs and "Clueless," amongst other things. I think that would add some quirky hilarity to the story.

I think it wouldn't be a story without some vices, as well. It could focus on how disorganized I am that I can't seem to find anything. Or how I'm a total procrastinator sometimes. And let's not forget nail biting and all my picky eating quirks. And there's the big basket of chocolate at my desk that I can't seem to keep away from.

Finally, I'd focus on my obsession with books. However, to add some exaggeration to the story, they'd be really smutty romance novels that I couldn't show anyone in my neighborhood, but that I'd hide behind Orthodox-friendly books while reading them at cafes and libraries or even the break room at work.

I think anyone trying to fictionalize me would have their hands full of contrasts and lots of craziness, but mostly in a fun way. Maybe my character could write a book about who I really am, but unwittingly getting all the details right. Kind of like a reverse fictionalization.