"I wrote a 100-page biography of each of the main characters. This took four years, and only then did I begin thinking again about the storyline. I used only about 20 pages from each biography, but it was important to have written the other 80 pages, to have understood the characters in this manner". (A quotation from a recently published author). How detailed is your biography of characters in your novel? Is the above excessive? I often wonder how much research is necessary to create a convincing, resonant character. Any thoughts?

Bloody hell! Wouldn't it be quicker to write the novel, and find out that way? Each to his own, I suppose. I have a couple of pages of scribbly A4 notes per main character, I should think, but often don't look at them much while I'm writing, and am surprised when I look back to see how they've changed from my original ideas. I do note particularly where they contrast with each other, I think - say a couple where one is very impulsive and the other very deliberate.

Emma

<Added>

It occurs to me that I do write my first drafts very fast and furiously, which does mean I'm a bit more likely to remember in Ch11 where I mentioned he'd gone to school in Ch2.

A hundred pages per character does seem a bit excessive, but each to their own. I generally write enough to give me a feel for the character as well as salient points about their backstory. I never follow a set 'character sheet' listing screeds of information about the character, such as favourite colour etc, because most of the time it's not relevant.

Cas

It took him eleven years to write the novel. One wonders whether there is a quicker way of doing it