Sometimes I’m with family or friends and we start talking about something. I find some detail or some idea interesting and want to know more about it. When I know the direction that interests me, I start researching and that

I feel like I’m friends with the people in your stories, but I know that means that you must have put tons of time into making those characters into real people. How do you do it? With my major characters,

Read. Read. Read. Not junk, but good stuff. What you read will shape you. Ask yourself, What do I want to give to my reader? How can I contribute to a reader’s life? How can I encourage and help someone