Where do characters come from? Everywhere and nowhere. They arrive like old friends we have always known, perhaps remnants or compilations of neighbors, siblings, uncles, colleagues. They arrive like strangers we want to discover, revenants of who we want to understand. Whatever the origin of characters, the trick is to let them come and let them have their say. Try not to argue with them. Follow them around as if you are a sleuth who has to uncover not only what they do, but why they do it. Because you don’t know. Not yet. And that is the miracle of writing. Ask them lots of questions: What happened before you got here? What are you going to do in the next few minutes? What are you afraid of? What’s in your pockets? If they don’t answer, be patient. They will answer in their own way. Sometimes by saying things, most often by taking action. Which means that very often the fastest way to understand a character is to give them something to do. Like sorting laundry, chopping an onion, putting gas in the car, feeding an animal, cleaning the gutters. You get the idea. An ordinary task will reveal a great deal. Yes, you want to include conversations both external and sometimes internal. Be patient there as well. Characters will only say what they are comfortable saying. Let them say what they want to say in their own voice, not yours. But the most important thing to remember about getting along with your characters is to let them surprise you. Let them drive the narrative. They will take you places you never expected, and isn’t that exactly why we write?
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