Taking the first steps as a fictional entity

[John Dean]

I am always interested in what triggers a new character for a writer. When and how do they burst to life and take their first steps as a fictional entity? I am thinking of this because I am working on a new novel and, although some of my regulars will appear, I’ll need some new ones. Keeps the reader interested, keeps me interested.

Maybe the prompt for a new character for a writer is something physical. Maybe, for example, they become fascinated by someone who cannot wear a tie smartly. That is where DCI John Blizzard started for me because I cannot wear a tie smartly and it triggered thoughts of someone similar.

Or it could be a facet of their character. Maybe they don’t deal well with people. DCI Jack Harris, another of my creations, was actually inspired by the physical appearance of a real person I once interviewed in my journalistic career, but what really interested me was the idea of developing someone who prefers animals to people. All I did was combine the real person's appearance with the fictional one's motivations and let a new person emerge.

Once my characters have sparked into life, do I develop them based on a plan? No. Do I let the character evolve through the storytelling? Yes, very much so. And in the new novel, although I am only 7,000 words in, I already have a cast of new characters who are interesting me greatly. Hopefully, that will keep me writing!