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3.
AOTW: Have you ever wished you could change a character's physical features, personal history, or name? If so, what would you want to change and why?
Carolyn Hart: Actually, I did change a recurring character's personality. Or perhaps it would be more politic to say that as I got to know Henny Brawley better, the more interesting, sympathetic and attractive she became. Henny is the clubwoman extraordinaire, former Peace Corps volunteer and champion mystery reader in the Death on Demand series. Perhaps the truth is that often people whom we initially find unappealing become much more likable when we really know them. And I have come to know and love Henny, and she has played large roles in several of the books, including Yankee Doodle Dead and White Elephant Dead.
Ian Rankin: I started to think Rebus was a really stupid name --- it means picture puzzle, and I was a postgrad literature student when I invented it. But now I actually know a guy in Edinburgh whose name really is Rebus, so at least I know it's a ''real'' name...
George Pelecanos: Knowing what I know now, I would not give too much away about a leading character's past early in the series. For example, if you state that he has no parents or siblings in the first book, then there can be no parents or siblings, or conflicts involving them, in subsequent books. In other words, don't show your cards too early in the game. Also, knock it off with the cute pets. Also, a character whose name ends in S is hell on possessives. This is trouble for me as I tend to write a lot of Greek-American characters, and most of our names end in S. As in, George Pelecanos's car: it doesn't scan on the page.
Robert B. Parker: I wish I hadn't made Spenser quite so age specific, because now, 30 years later the question comes up. I solve the problem by ignoring the question.
Nevada Barr: No. Once my characters establish themselves they are like relatives. Even if you want to change them, you can't. You simply have to live with their flaws.
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