Getting to Know My Characters

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m a pantser. I don’t outline. I don’t roadmap. In my head, my characters walk onto a stage, start talking, and I write down what happens. Some writers plan every turn before they begin. I don’t. That’s not stubbornness—it’s how my brain works.

The downside? It usually takes me two books to really understand who my characters are and how they’ll react under pressure. Only then can I reliably predict where they’ll drag the story next. Yes, it sounds a little unhinged. Creativity often is.

I’ve started a new series, and this one centers on five women and one man, all in their early sixties. They’re at the awkward stage of meeting each other—polite on the surface, suspicious underneath. They’re former spies. They don’t believe in coincidences, and trust doesn’t come easily.

Expect murder, suspicion, pickleball, and Wisconsin. I plan to move the group to different locations as the series continues, and right now I’m thinking this will land as a six-book arc.

German cover for Vials Book

On the business side, last month I translated the first two books in the Jill Quint series into German, French, and European Spanish. If those markets respond well, I’ll expand translations to the rest of my catalog. I also checked in with the narrator who did the first five Damian Green audiobooks to see if he’s available for book six. This is the less glamorous side of writing—the administrative work—but I don’t mind it. Learning new platforms keeps my brain busy in a different way.

As for life in Wisconsin: it’s been a snowy winter. I have developed an almost obsessive need to keep my driveway ice and snow free, much to the amusement of friends and neighbors. Part of it is practical—slipping on ice is no joke. Fun fact (and not a comforting one): 90-year-olds who fracture a hip have about a 40% chance of dying within the following year. I’m nowhere near 90, but I’m still not testing my luck.

Dog walking in his winter gear

My dog, meanwhile, is thrilled with winter walks and catching up on the neighborhood “pee-mail.” He wears a coat and boot suspenders now. Regular booties didn’t stand a chance. Getting him fully geared up is a workout in itself.

Here’s to 2026—and to whatever trouble my characters decide to cause next.

Cheers,Alec