Maria Semple Quotes

I don't ever really know where I get my characters from.

When I create a character, it happens in layers. The more I write and revise, the better I understand the characters.

I think all characters are facets of the writer. In a way, they have to be if you're going to write them convincingly.

Developing characters is a strange thing. In the beginning they are abstract and I wonder how to move on from there.

Most of the time, when I'm writing, I'm writing for myself. I'm thinking, 'What will my character say at this time? What will come out of her mouth?' I create individuals so real to me, I sometimes start talking to them. Then I let them loose on the page.

When I write a book, characters come to life for me somewhere at the back of my head. I strive to make them flesh and blood in an abstract way, in words.

You can start imagining all kinds of things characters would feel, but you have to have a sense of whether those imaginings might be right.

Characters are not created on paper or laptop alone.

I love all the characters I write.

Writers often say that characters begin to write themselves, and I never used to believe that. I always thought that was complete hogwash.

You spend so much time writing a character the way I did with Buddy Baker and then Green Arrow that you start to care about them. And you almost think of them as people, you know?

How I work is I work from of very character-driven place. And I trust the writers.

One of the ways I think I gain fodder for characters is by watching people.

I never base characters on real people. There are people who do that but I really don't know how to do it.

When you write, you hear the characters speaking to you as you take dictation from what they say. And obviously, they had particular personalities when you hear them.

Whichever character I'm using and wherever I am in my mind dictates what kind of story I'm going to tell.

It always helps me connect with characters, to think about what music they respond to.

The great thing about writing is that you always put yourself in the shoes of the character. If you're doing it right, you can see into the heart of all your characters. Usually, when there's a writing problem, it's because you aren't doing that.

I usually don't find myself reacting to my characters. I just create them ... And let the audience decide whether they're empathetic or scared or compelled to cheer me on.

I always say I write my own novels and the characters don't take control of me, but in fact, I look at the characters in the early stages and I think, 'What is he or she like,' and they slowly come together and they become the person they are.

We start with strong characters and build the movie from there. That not to say we don't struggle with story - that's the most challenging part.

I never have particular actors planned when I'm in the process of writing.

It's really a misconception to identify the writer with the main character, given that the author creates all the characters in the book. In certain ways, I'm every character.

I enjoy the writing process and producing; I enjoy seeing an idea come to fruition. I'm driven by very complex characters. You look at the pilot of 'Breaking Bad,' where there's so much depth to the character, you can't help but be invested when you watch.

I create a playlist for each and every character that I play.