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Everyone loves characters that are relatable or who have unique quirks or tragic flaws.

Besides the mistakes that are pointed out, I love the way readers become involved with the characters. When readers start asking about character motivations instead of concentrating on the special effects, it means you're connecting with them on a personal level.

People who act against their own best interests are interesting characters.

Any actor who judges his character is a fool - for every role you play you've got to absorb that character's motives and justifications.

I always get inspiration from whatever characters say about my character.

But at the same time, the commonplace statement about them is true: every character is the hero of his own story. Each has a justification for his actions that is convincing to him. It's fun to give these people voices.

It seems to me that most characters, in anything, are flawed in some way, just like most people. You look for the good in the flawed people and vice versa, and then try and make them appealing in some way.

I'm often drawn to characters that are more obviously one thing. They're passionate, and there is always an element of strength because I think every person possesses that in some way, even if they've experienced hardship in their lives.

I think, above all, the characters in my novels feel universal to the readers.

People have different reasons for the way they live their lives. You cannot put everyone's reasons in the same box.