Here's another question from Katia - When you meet an intriguing person in real life, do you ever base a character on that person, albeit in disguised form?
I certainly use small parts of people I meet. I remember listening to a woman on the bus years ago talk about a phobia she had about using soap in public places because of all the other people who would have touched it - she took her own with her everywhere. This is the kind of detail I'd 'borrow' for one of my characters, but I haven't used it yet!
I haven't been tempted to use a whole person and disguise them, because in my 'imaginary world' there are already enough imaginary people to go round. And I would feel awkward about it - what if someone recognised themselves and I'd written them as a horrible character? ;)
I certainly use small parts of people I meet. I remember listening to a woman on the bus years ago talk about a phobia she had about using soap in public places because of all the other people who would have touched it - she took her own with her everywhere. This is the kind of detail I'd 'borrow' for one of my characters, but I haven't used it yet!
I haven't been tempted to use a whole person and disguise them, because in my 'imaginary world' there are already enough imaginary people to go round. And I would feel awkward about it - what if someone recognised themselves and I'd written them as a horrible character? ;)