It's Raining Characters

There are many great things about my day job. One of them is I have to attend a lot of professional meetings, galas, and networking events.

Why on Earth would a certifiable introvert think that's a job perk? Honestly, I didn't, until I started writing fiction.

My change of attitude came a few months ago when I was at a work-related function and met a character for some future book. It was so cool to be in the moment and know this person would show up somewhere later. I don't know how I'll use her, but I'm sure I will. I'm not sure why she struck me in particular. We had a ten minute conversation, most of which was spent with her giving me unsolicited advice on how to meet a man—without her ever bothering to ascertain whether I was, indeed, single. This was our conversation at a professional business meeting. I'm sure she is a nice person, but I was so amazed at her presumption and audacity, that I didn't really notice. Maybe that's why she struck me. I not only wouldn't just assume that a woman standing alone at a work function was single, I would not then march over and tell her how to fix the problem. Amazing.

Since that evening, I've met several more good characters at work events. Really, I'm not sure I could make these people up. They just behave in ways that are so counterintuitive to me. Like revealing a spouse's porn preferences over a business breakfast. Ummm. Why do I need or want to know that? Or people who show up to board meetings in ratty old overalls (oh wait, that was me. Hee, hee.).

People always amaze me. That's why writing is so much fun. I get the chance to collect all of those odd daily encounters, the good and the bad, and do something with them. Perhaps advice woman will be my protagonist and I'll get inside her head to learn why she would feel compelled to butt into a stranger's love life. Maybe her reasons will come from a generosity of spirit, maybe she'll be a control freak. Who knows? It will be fun finding out.