A favourite hobby

I've been doing this for years, but it just gets better and better.  I think that's probably because it helps me so much with writing the tvdetective books.

And before you start to wonder what Hall's going on about now, I'll tell you.  It's the simple pleasure of people watching.

I'm often asked where my ideas for characters come from.  The answer is a range of sources. Some are born of pure imagination, others take parts from people I know, have met, or hear or read about.  But often I find an element to make a character from the delicious delight of people watching.

It can be a mannerism, a detail of appearance, a quirk of their speech, just anything to make a character come to life. 

When I go out for a beer, or to meet some friends, I usually arrive about half an hour early, so I can sit in the corner of whatever bar, or cafe, and just watch the people doing their people things.  It's a rich source of material, I can promise you.

The reason I mention all this now is something I saw at the weekend, in a pub.  I was sipping a beer, reading the paper, and there was a couple opposite me having a meal.  He went up to the bar to get some more drinks, and the moment his back was turned, she scooped some of the food from his plate and swallowed it down!

Initially I thought she might confess when he returned to the table, and they'd share a smile about it, but not a bit of it.  She just kept quiet.  It was a lovely moment, a quirk I shall now bestow upon some poor character in a future book, probably to create the subtext - this is not a person to be trusted!  Who could put any faith in someone who steals your food, and so very ruthlessly?!

On the subject of which, as I was up early writing, it's time for breakfast.  An apple and cinammon bun I think, and all for me...

Don't forget, if you've got any questions you'd like an eccentric, rambling and strange answer to, or even just a simple one if you happen to enjoy the fair fortune to catch me on a near normal day, you can get in touch via the contact page - www.thetvdetective.com/contact.html