Who's in my books?

I have a friend who gave me a t-shirt which reads "Careful, or you'll end up in my novel." It is one of my favorite shirts, in part because when I wear it someone always asks if I am really a writer. I have many characters whose names are taken from real people in my life. However, everyone has a chance to be in my stories because I am always looking for that someone or something different that will catch attention or be memorable. Unique situations also end up in my stories. While much of my inspiration comes from things that I have personally encountered, I am also a good student of life and I'm always on the lookout for something that can be molded into an interesting possibility. These include names, actions, and events. People often see a bit of themselves in my stories, because my stories are often based on the realities of life, read on and enjoy.