How to Write Books Good, Part 2

Thinking up the character:

• Look at your idea.
• Wonder what kind of character would best suit that idea.
• Come up with character.
• Give character a name.
• Scribble out name. Think of a better name.
• A better name than that.
• Look at the name you've picked. Realise "Johnny Rockjaw" sounds made-up.
• Decide on a name. Decide name is fine.
• Write character. Character is fine.
• Character does what character is supposed to do.
• At halfway point, character rebels.
• Character starts telling you stuff. History. Backstory. Opinions. Stuff not in the plot.
• Panic.
• Character derails plot.
• Plot crashes and burns.
• Character emerges from wreckage, continues on.
• Struggle to catch up to character. Character walking too fast.
• Character behaving like real person.
• Panic.
• Who is more real? The writer who writes the character, or the character who writes the writer?
• Experience existential crisis.
• Have lunch.
• Get back to work.
• Congratulations! You now have your character!