Putting characters to work

[John Dean]

I am always interested in what triggers a new character for a writer. When and how do they burst in to life? I am thinking of this because I am working on a new Jack Harris novel and, although some of my regulars appear, I need some new ones.

Characters come in all forms from all types of inspiration. Maybe the prompt for a new character for a writer is something physical. Or it could be a facet of their personality. DCI Jack Harris was inspired by the physical appearance of a real person but what really interested me was the idea of developing someone who prefers animals to people and, therefore, does not speak unless absolutely necessary.

In the case of the new Harris novel, the characters started out with the jobs I need them to do – agitate, keep secrets, antagonise the police, terrorise the community – and have grown from there.

Do I develop my characters based on a plan? No. I let them evolve through the storytelling. That gives the narrative an organic quality, taking its own direction in line with events in the story.

You can find out more about the most recent Harris outing in Error of Judgement (The Book Folks) at

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ERROR-JUDGEMENT-gripping-Detective-Inspect...