I don't much believe in the idea of characters. I write with words, that is all. Whether those words are put in the mouth of this or that character does not matter to me.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Creating characters is like throwing together ingredients for a recipe. I take characteristics I like and dislike in real people I know, or know of, and use them to embellish and define characters.
I think all characters are facets of the writer. In a way, they have to be if you're going to write them convincingly.
The problem with being a writer is that some readers tend to think that anything that comes out of a character's mouth is you talking.
To me, my characters are more real than most people I meet.
I really believe in the characters I play.
I try to talk about things I know about. But my characters are more of a combination of people or how I imagine people would feel.
Character is the starting point from which we go on. When I say a man has character, I mean that when you go to that man and say, 'What are the facts in this case?' he will tell you the truth, justly, truly, and wisely as he knows, with the minimum of exhibitionism and the maximum of devotion to the common cause.
I like all my characters in one way or another, or at least I understand them.
At the core, I try to write characters who are real people with real insecurities, fears, hopes, and dreams, which is why hopefully readers can identify with them.
I always get inspiration from whatever characters say about my character.