“A voice journal will keep your characters from becoming little versions of you.”
That advice comes from James Scott Bell, author of The Art of War for Writers, a new book of strategies and exercises for fiction authors.
“You’ll find yourself excited about your characters. You’ll think about them even when you’re not writing. They [...]

Q:  There’s some background information I need to include so my narrative makes more sense.  How can I do that without breaking the flow of the story?
A:  Many writers struggle with blending in historical context and a who’s who of key characters from the past whose influence has led up to their protagonist’s current dilemma [...]