this morning feeling like stories aren't something you create. Stories are there, you just have to uncover them.  Similarly, you don't write characters. Characters already exist, but they hide. You have to track them down. And once you do, if you just hang out with them and allow them do what they'd normally do if you weren't there, they'll tell you what the story is.  But you have to pay attention. You have to watch and listen. . . And be ready to write it all down. Because if you don't, your characters will abandon you and your story will disappear.