This is a follow-up to my previous blog "Naming Characters". Another related question readers often ask is, "Do you model your characters personalities and appearances after people you know?" As far as appearances are concerned, not particularly--those I kind of just create based on what I feel best fits the story. Personalities, on the other hand, I pick up on from people in real life all the time.
I have always been a people watcher in public and private settings. It is interesting to watch the things that people do and listen to the things that they say. I do not mold a character solely after one person that I know, rather my characters are made up of a variety of traits I have picked up on as well as some that I toss in there to make the character more interesting. You might be surprised to find out how many of the things in my novels that I have actually witnessed in real life or that at least closely resemble real life scenarios.
So, if you are ever around me, be careful . . . a small piece of you might just end up in one of my novels!