willow_25 | Rounding Out the Backstory (Reply)

I wanted to get the opinions of some of you other authors, and others, on this:

I've found that while writing a story with a large cast, including many original characters, I've had to come up with some way of helping myself get into their heads. I think giving each character a fully-rounded life makes the story itself better; and somehow that's mainly asserted itself for me in creating musical tastes for each of them. I actually have 'favorite songs' playlists for most of my OC's on my iPod. Any other tricks you guys can think of, to help flesh out a character and make them more real? So far, the music is working for me, although it's not helping very much with the BTVS/AtS canon characters, most of whom seemed not really into music. Favorite books, maybe?

Also, any thoughts on characters and their pets? Somehow, I see Xander getting a snake, while he's all alone in Africa. Maybe one of the newly mortal vampires gets a dog, to feel more connected to life; or heck, just for company? New Slayers trying to move their pets across borders with them?

I should have been in bed an hour ago, so I'm just gonna go now...