This is a superb recommendation! I never exactly did this sort of deliberate analysis when writing my novels but like anyone else, I used some of my personal experiences, whether when involved with other individuals or visiting restaurants, bars, or other places as templates for the story line. This works especially well for me because I'm primarily focused on writing a series of modern American private detective novels set in Houston where I live.Katherine E Wall wrote:Puffbear, there is another alternative to clearing out the stuff in your head, the things which have happened to you during your life. You don't have to chronicle them as fiction or non-fiction, you can, instead use the emotions they evoke in completely fictional pieces. Something like how an actor draws on some event which induced a particular emotion in order to play a part.
By exploring the emotions you have experienced (wow, alliteration), you can marry them to ideas which follow your 'what-ifs'. The outcome is still cathartic for you as an author, but you don't fall into the autobiographical fiction trap, and you can often explore even greater truths of the human existence.
Just my two cents worth.
But even if your experiences and inner thoughts are real and your story might be a swords & sorcery fantasy, you can still use your life experiences as takeoff points for the fiction. Excellent idea, Katherine!