For over thirteen years, I worked at a publisher where my sole job was to make a variety of authors happy. I felt like I excelled at that job because I was empathetic. I tried to put myself in the authors shoes, whether they were best-selling stars or brand new authors.

I try to do the same with my characters and the people occupying my stories. I try to put myself in their shoes, whether they are eighty years old or female or in prison. I try to find some part to relate to, to care about, to empathize with, even if they’re a “bad guy.” I’ve discovered that life doesn’t really have heroes and villains–it has flawed people, some who find hope and some who give it up all together and some who wander around somewhere in the middle.

Learn to care about your characters and put yourself in them.