I thrive on writing novels because life is filled with pain and excitement, and I want to convey these aspects through my quirky, flawed, and yet, endearing characters. I like characters that beg you to consider them to be more than you had originally planned.   In my two novels (Rain Song and How Sweet It Is), two characters asked me to develop them and let them run.  I gave in; with the results, I couldn't be happier.