Writers: What sort of relationship do you have with your character? +BQ?

Can you see my photo/avatar? I doubt you can make it out clearly, but I dressed up three of my teddy bears for Christmas--so that's my Christmas photo.

They're also the characters in my book. The one on the left is the main character. The one in the middle is like the little brother and the one on the right is the best friend.

In my case, my characters are both very real and yet not quite as real as in the book. Because of that (and because I have then dressed up for Christmas), I'm going with you have some idea of how I feel about my characters. I'll also tell you they hate the photo. It's degrading. No self-respecting boy would ever do that voluntarily, not even them. They can't believe I'd not only do that to them but then show the world. lol

I have a character who's the third born son of the king. Really he and his twin brother are a pair of little shits, and as much as I love him I want to strangle the guy sometimes.

I don't think me & him would get along quite as much as I would like us to if he were real. First of all, he'd annoy me to no end, and second, I think I'd bore him too much.

He's also a lot more brave than I am, has a more witty personality, and takes more chances in his lifetime than I would in a million years.

If he knew I was the writer, he'd get pissed because I killed him off in the first book.

I adore them. And I am TERRIBLE to them. Because that's my job.

BQ1: If they were actual people, I'd love to go drinking with Alex (pharmaceutical developer/billionaire/genius), go on a case with Ben (werewolf private eye), and have a theological discussion with Nachi (guardian angel).

BQ2: If they knew I was the writer, they'd kill me in my sleep. Well. No. Actually, they wouldn't, because they are not That Guy. But they'd WANT to, just out of self-preservation. I mentioned I'm terrible to them? Yeah.

I love all my main characters. They're like my children.

And I have a feeling they'll both love and hate me from all the adventures I put them through (Except Shauna. I have a feeling she'll just plain love me).

Mutual inspiration. Most of them know me as I know them... yeah it sounds weird, I know. But it's the truth... I've always liked to say hello to the characters in my books/stories. Not all of them, maybe some. Not in the books but outside, like in private conversations (like a chat, but before I ever used a chat I was already doing that).

Most of my characters, as well as their stories and lives, teach me a lot about life itself.