How and Why I Write, part 5

·      What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

Language, language, language. Is the dialogue advancing the story in a tongue the reader can identify as appropriate to the character? I observe people, I remember people, then I create characters from the bits and pieces I've observed. A character in one of my books may be the blending of the traits of 3-4 people I’ve met. Be forewarned, I tell people, anything you do or say could end up in one of my poems or novels.

·      Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

I think so. My wife doesn't.

·      Deep down inside, who do you write for?

Primarily, I write for a reader of one: Larry Andrews. My mother influenced my passion for language. (For example I have four linguistics textbooks on the university book market; one translated into Korean.)

I write because I love the challenge of making the best linguistics choices available to depict realistically disparate characters in both disparate and desperate circumstances.