The Character Lives

There's a short period of awkwardness for me at the beginning of a new book. I have a clear idea of how I want to develop the main characters, but they aren't yet "alive" in my imagination. A few chapters later, the characters take on a form of reality. I can "feel" what the heroine would or would not say, and how she will react in a situation. This is always exciting because the added dimention of understanding helps to guide the remaining character development. It keeps me honest. I must say, as enjoyable as writing can be, it does detract from the pleasure of reading. That sharpened sense of character integrity spotlights any behavior or dialogue that puts a hero at odds with who he has so-far been.