I don't know if any of the people perceive themselves as having been made fun of.

I'm always reading. And I keep a whole list of stories, often unusual stories. There are a hundred some-odd ideas on that list.

You exist in the minds of other people.

I am in communication with almost everybody I've done a story about. I have a fantasy that if I ever strike it rich, I'll have a big party and fly all of these people there, and they'll be roaming around the party - Billy Mitchell, Master Legend, Santa Tim, Rio DiAngelo, Mr. Romance circa 2007, and so on.

Often my characters have some kind of idealism or grand belief that they're pursuing.

People are really stuck on their ideas about themselves.

Sometimes, I'll read a news story and there will be one line about something else, and I'll find it interesting and look into it. That can often turn into an entire story on its own.