I am working on a new story idea which means I need new characters. One would think it would become easier the more books I write but it doesn’t. My demands for my characters grow more stringent. They must be likeable, motivated and strong even if they don’t know it. Double that because I need a hero and a heroine and throw in some solid problems they must overcome on their way to love and the whole process becomes complicated.
Let me walk you quickly through my process.
First, I need a picture. Sometimes I use real people, like actors but my favorite way to find pictures of historical characters is from old family photo albums. The old black and white photos are beautiful. Here is one. I think these characters will feature in book #3 of the series I’m currently working on.

At the same time, I need names. When you consider it took me nine months to name my babies but now I have to name 2 characters within a matter of hours, you maybe understand how I struggle with this. Plus I have to bear in mind the name will eventually have to meet approval from my editor. I’ve had to change a couple of names. Sigh.
My next step is to do a character interview. For anyone interested, I use the questionnaire in Alice Orr’s book, No More Rejections.

http://www.amazon.com/No-More-Rejections-Secrets-Manuscript/dp/1582972850/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228151416&sr=1-1
That leads me to examining their character more…considering an archetype for them. I often use the ennegram website to aid me.
http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/descript.asp
That leads me to developing a character diamond. And discovering a journey for each. Something like from isolation to community. Or from anger to forgiveness.
Which leads to plot. Or maybe it is fair to say they are knitting together in my mind at the same time. So I’m not following a straight line. I’m going back and forth, up and down and round and round. No wonder I get dizzy. Sometimes I get it right. More times I don’t and have to start over.
  So if I seem a little confused at times…