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I’ve found that sometimes the easiest way to get to know my characters is to spend the whole day with them, instead of just sticking them on a page.

Lulu, my sleuth for the "Memphis Barbeque" series, has been a treat to get acquainted with. She rides along in the front seat with me as I run errands and shuttle kids around, and she’s right there alongside me as I pull weeds and mow the grass. I’ve gotten to know Lulu pretty well—her sense of humor, kindness, and pluck.

To me, spending time with my characters is one of the best ways to truly get to know them—just like it’s the best way to learn about a spouse, friend, or roommate.

When I’m hanging out with my character, I think about what they like and what they’re doing as I go about my day.

What kinds of things is your character buying at the grocery store? When I’m hurrying through the store and tossing things in my cart, I think a little about what my Lulu would be throwing in hers. Health food? Doughnuts? She’d be stocking up on ingredients for generously-portioned Southern feasts that she’d share with friends.

What’s your character’s morning routine? Every morning during the school year, I’m driving carpools and schlepping kids to the elementary school and the middle school. While the kids are chatting in the backseat, I mull over what Lulu might be doing at the same time in the morning. She’d be up early, because she’s in the restaurant business. Is your character on a treadmill, reading an inspirational quote to start out the day, or sleeping in?

How productive is your character during a normal day? I’m a multi-tasker who juggles a lot of different things at once—with varying degrees of success. Lulu focuses on one thing at a time, mostly on being a good hostess to all her friends at Aunt Pat’s BBQ restaurant. But she sometimes takes a little early-afternoon restorative nap in the rocking chairs on the restaurant’s screen porch. Is your character busily knocking out his inbox each day? Getting sleepy after lunch? Being distracted by Facebook at the office? Conducting high-powered meetings? Watching soap operas in their PJs at home?

What kinds of shows do they watch on TV? While I’m watching TV, I think about what Lulu might be watching. She’d probably be plugged into the Food Network and wondering how she could get a gig like that. The Food Network probably runs all day long at Lulu’s house and she hoots out loud when Paula Deen or the Neelys joke around. Your characters might like watching The Weather Channel, reality shows, or ESPN.

How do they interact with others? On an ordinary day, I’m out of the house a good bit—running errands, shuttling the kids to events, etc….but I’m usually just observing what other people are doing. (I think a lot of writers do that.) But I know that Lulu loves interacting with other people. Her first instinct is to form friendships with everyone. She puts guest in her restaurant at ease as she heaps their plates with barbequed ribs, coleslaw, and baked beans. Is your character quiet? An extrovert? Someone who likes be a host or hostess?

Night owls? Morning people? Neither? I usually turn in pretty early because I’m up early in the morning (and have a bit of insomnia.) Lulu probably doesn’t get enough sleep, either—she’s up late to lock up the restaurant after a late night on Beale Street, and up early the next morning to get ready for the lunch crowd. Do your characters burn the candle at both ends? Have an erratic routine? Turn in at 9 p.m. religiously?

Dangers of this method: Okay, this approach is a little like method acting. The danger is that you might get carried away and start talking to yourself in public as you explore your character. Resist the urge! There just aren’t enough writers out there to make you look normal. :) On the upside, if you think your character is alive, you’re sure to make the readers believe it, too.

How do you bring your characters to life on the page?

Elizabeth S. Craig writes as Riley Adams. She blogs daily at Mystery Writing is Murder, which was named by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2010 and 2011, and at Writer's Knowledge Base.

Follow her on twitter: @elizabethscraig

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