> Two writers have mentioned that their characters
> begin to take on lives of their own. I think that
> is a sign of very good writing, or, at least, very
> good thinking about writing.

I'm not sure that it's good writing, but it is a sign that a character has become sharply defined in the writer's mind. Actually, to me, it's one of the most surprising part of writing--when the author wants to go in one direction, but the character seems to insist on going in another. The faxer is especially interesting because it isn't a process of writing, but of creating a character through graphics. In that context, I think it is still true that the Faxer has gone in directions unintended by you. So there is something apart from "writing" about creating living characters in your head.

> Having examined characters from the writer's,
> actor's and, er, faxer's point of view, I truly
> believe that we create real living creatures. The
> faxer certainly has taken some twists and turns
> since he was assigned to me by Olga and Christopher
> in the summer of 1996. The assignment was part taking
> advantage of my photoshop skills and part "text
> relief" for the site.

And very nice text relief it is too!

> As for those of you who keep telling people
> that your character is a lot like you--knock it
> off!! People assume the same about me and I can
> assure you that I am not Gay man with transexual
> dillusions . . .not that there is anything wrong
> with that ;-)

Imagine Olga's difficulties in trying to convince her parents (or mine, for that matter) that she really doesn't have the same set of sexual fantasies as Anna!

> I can't remember who said "Writing is
> easy, you just stare at a blank piece of paper until
> small beads of blood begin to form on your forehead".

> Actually, that quote has nothing to do with
> my point, but it is a bitchin' quote . . . for five
> points, who the heck said that?

Great quote. If it's true, and you want to safely collaborate, better both wear plastic bags over your heads though.