I think at some level, it's just alchemy that we, as writers, can't explain when we write the characters. I don't set out to create the characters - they're not, to me, collections of quirks that I can put together. I discover the characters, instead. I usually go through a standard set of interview questions with the character in the beginning and ask the vital stuff: What's important to you? What do you love? Hate? Fear? .. and then I know where to start. But the characters just grow on their own, at a certain point. And start surprising me.
Rachel CaineHe sounded harassed more than anything else, like mass home invasion was just something standing between him and morning coffee.
Rachel CaineIf you ask me if Iโm imagining it again, Iโm going to punch you out, Dead Man Walking.โ Michael raised his eyebrows and glanced at Eve. โHe doesnโt sound crazy.โ โEr,โ she clarified, โcrazier. He sounds like heโs back to normal, which is baseline crazy.
Rachel Caine