I liked hearing from all the con attendees :). Good advice and I really got a sense of the FTB community.

Watched a documentry on scifi writing for tv and the main writer for Doctor Who (can’t remember his name) said that when he writes a character he just gives them 3 qualities that are enough for a watcher to quickly identify with them.

The example he gave was fat, angry, 40 year old man (man doesn’t count – I think gender can be considered mandatory).

From 3 qualities you instantly create a mental image and can imagine how they behave.

Some of the best films have simple, compelling characters. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (blonde, angel eyes, the rat, shorty the drinking no-legs, greedy ill man, doomed father, dying soldier boy, gossiping tavern owner, good captain and his last wish, disapproving priest brother, etc)

The 7 Samurai.