Keeping it Real

Having to write about NC health insurance and even the needs for other types of insurance in some articles, and then reading Bernita's blog about how to give diversity to characters with hobbies makes me wonder how much of a 'life' we give our characters. I like to use quirks, and habits to define the way my characters act but even that's not enough. They have to have everyday things in their lives, even mundane things, to make them real. After all, there isn't a single one of us that doesn't have that type of thing going on all the time. No we really don't need to read about it in volumes, but little mentions here and there, even bringing it into play in a story, perhaps during a particularly 'black moment' your character can realize their insurance has lapsed-oh come on, we've all been there--hopefully not when it was really necessary to have it though. It's just one of the things that happens. Having them 'happen' to your characters is a pretty unique way to make them more human.