Writers, when you look for new character inspiration, do you look to family, friends, or strangers? Do you find you get the most unique character traits by inventing, or observing?
Answered by:
I find character traits by observing and using my own experience from interactions with people throughout my life whether they are family, friends, or strangers. I also read many books ayear and find certain characteristics that are common to a type of character.
1 Reply
Sarah Maury Swan
from Sarah's Book Enterprises
I'm a panster as well, though I did have to make up two different outlines for a course I taught last fall and they turned out to be useful. Still, the stories do come to me, or at least the kernel of them does. A tall tale came to me years ago when I was freezing my fingers off taking care of our horses on a cold/snowy winter's day in Maryland. The story is about a boy who has to fight with the north wind while he's trying to feed his horse. Hopefully I'll be able to turn it into a picture book.
More answers from Ed
Ed Londergan Author 's Services and Events