‘Which one am I?’, my son asked, waving a copy of the newly-arrived proof of my soon-to-be-published novel in the air. ‘None,’ was my curt reply, along with a small sigh. It got me thinking about character and how writers create realistic fictional people. I can only speak for myself, and I know all writers use different methods, but for me, I find I cannot use people I know as inspiration for the characters in my books. 

Instead, I find my characters arrive mostly fully formed in my head. I just need to get to know them. Getting to know them can be more tricky for some than for others, and I have to dig deeper for those who hide their true personalities from me. It means writing scenes which may never end up in the book. It means knowing the character’s background; what their families were like; whether something happened to them which had a profound effect and influences the way they are now. Even when I’m not writing, the characters I’m creating fill my head and, over time, reveal themselves to me. 

To get to know what the people populating my books are like, I write a character study for each of them. This includes their childhood, their parents and siblings, what has happened to them in life before the novel begins. In order to write my books, I need to know their strengths and weaknesses, their habits, their passions and interests. I need to know what they really think of each other, even if they never expose those feelings. I try to understand their motivations and fears; what they want others to know about them, and what they want to hide. Understanding them as full, rounded people means they will act consistently with their personalities, and can develop as real people might as the plot develops. Indeed, it means the characters themselves will drive the plot and shape what happens in the story. 

In essence, my characters become real people to me. Most of what has happened to them does not make it onto the pages of the book, but their background is crucial in ensuring that readers can connect with them, even if they are unpleasant and unsavoury! Just like people in the real world, a reader will not like every character they meet in a book. I personally think authenticity is key in ensuring the reader becomes immersed in a story and creating believable characters in a fictional world, however fantastical or alien that world is, is essential in pulling the reader into that realm and experiencing the characters’ journey through it. 

When I’m in the midst of writing a book, and if I take a break for whatever reason (for example over Christmas) I miss them. I was itching to get back to my work-in-progress after the holiday period as I felt slightly bereft without my fictional people. Odd I know! It also set me wondering how I feel when the book is complete and my characters are ready to be set free into the world. Do I miss them? I have discovered, not really. Their story is complete and like old friends they will still be there on the pages of my book if ever I feel the need to pay them a visit. It seems at that point, I’m ready to move on and meet some new ones. And as per real life, there is always room for new friends!

I was one of those children who, when small, had an imaginary friend. If my mother was ever concerned about whether I would grow out of this phase, she needn’t have worried. It was clearly a life-time affliction and short of having the one imaginary friend, it now seems I have endless!