I am including part of the journey I have gone through with the creation of some of the characters in the New Patterns and Old Friends as well as the Perceptions story series; specifically Argus and Reya. From the dialogue you can see how some of the scenes in the stories came about.
The start:
I had created two female characters and they developed an interest for Avon. I was determined to create one who didn't. Little did I know what I was getting myself into.
At the planning stage for Story 6: Playing Dangerous Games
Writer: Alright it's time to create a strong female character that does not fall for Avon.
Avon (very cynically): Good luck.
Creates Reya. So there...
Avon looks at character: There is going to be trouble.
Me: You're just sore that she's not going to fall for you.
Avon: Suit yourself. Remember I did warn you.
Argus looks at character: hmmm I really like her.
Writer: NO!!! You cannot have her.
Argus: But she's right there.
Reya: Who is this guy? (Decides not to like him because she knows that was not the intent of her character.)
Reya starts giving Argus a hard time and he takes her abuse.
Writer: But your character is not supposed to take that kind of treatment from anyone!
Argus: But I really like her.
Writer: Argh!!!
Reya: He is kind of cute. Can I see him without his shirt on?
Writer: NO NO Nooooo!! (sigh writes in shirtless scene)
Argus: Does that mean you like me?
Reya: No.
Argus: Huh?
Reya: Can I throw something at him?
Writer: Who has this kind of crazy relationship?
Arg/Reya: We do! Now shut up and keep writing.
Writer: grumble grumble grumble At least the ones who fell for Avon, I could kill them off. (writes in a bottle of water for her to throw)
Argus: Don't you dare!
Reya throws bottle to him in story.
Argus: Hey you almost hit me with that!
Reya: You caught it, didn't you? heh
Argus: Okay. You're starting to annoy me now.
Reya: Then go away.
Argus (horrified): No!
Writer: But you just met her!!!
Avon: (cynical and smug) Serves you right for trying to create a female character who does not fall for me.
Writer: SIGH
Dealing with a delicate matter...
Writer: Well, are you two ever going to sleep together?
Silence
Writer: Hello?
Writer: About the question I asked before...
Argus: Which one?
Writer: What do you mean which one? I only asked you one question. And where's Reya?
Silence
Writer: Hello? Argh!!
Writer: Alright you two. We're going to discuss this even if I have to tie both of you down.
Rey (cynically): Yeah, right! And how do think you can do that?
Argus: Come on Reya. Let's stop giving her a hard time.
Writer: Thank you!
Reya: I never agreed
Writer: (gives Reya a dirty look)
Reya: Alright alright, if he can do it, I can.
Argus: Don't do it for me.
Reya: I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it inspite of you.
Argus (very confused): What?! What's that supposed to mean?
Reya: heh
Argus: Stop that! You're only supposed to confuse me IN THE STORY!
Reya: And who set that rule?
Argus: sighs in resignation
Writer: Are the two of you quite finished with your comedy routine?
Reya: What do you mean?
Argus: She thinks we're trying to avoid the question.
Reya: We are.
Argus: We are?
Reya: Get with the program Argus.
Argus: Could you let me know these things in advance please?
Writer: sighs in resignation You're not going to sleep together yet are you?
Argus: No.
Reya: heh
Writer: You kissed each other! I thought you weren't going to do that!
Reya: Well, it was hard not to. He just made me cry.
Argus: I did not! She's the one who's separating us.
Reya: And you went along with it!
Argus: There's the battle coming and ...
Reya: You want to go play hero again!
Argus: I did ask you to come with me.
Writer: About that...You weren't supposed to ask her that.
Reya: He doesn't get it.
Argus: What don't I get?
Writer: You're not supposed to be so sappy.
Argus: But it's going to kill me not being with her!
Reya: It is?
Argus: Don't pretend that you don't know.
Writer: Oh no.
Avon (looking over my shoulder): Do you want some help?
Writer: What are you doing here? And when did you start volunteering to help? Aren't you busy with Servalan?
Avon: She's sleeping.
Writer: What do you want now?
Reya: I want to discuss the sex thing.
Writer: Now?
Reya: Well, it's not that we don't want to.
Writer: Then what's the problem?
Reya: We're just afraid that once we start, we won't be able to stop. And you won't be able to handle it.
Writer: You're kidding me. Where's Argus?
Reya: He doesn't want to talk about it with you.
Writer: What do you mean I won't be able to handle it?
Reya: Well, you want to keep these stories GEN right?
Writer: Can we talk about something else?
Reya: You're the one who started it.
Writer: sigh So the two of you have been giving me a hard time so I won't have to deal with it?
Reya: Yes.
Writer: When did the two of you start working together?
Reya: It was inevitable.
Writer: Does this mean you're going to start agreeing in the stories now?
Reya: No. It's too much fun arguing. Argus says that if you're willing to make it a bit more explicit, then we'll do it. Otherwise we won't be able to enjoy it. Avon and that snake might accept it but we won't.
(Servalan from far off: Watch it!)
Writer: OMG holds head in hands
Avon (over my shoulder): I am not helping you with these two.
(Servalan: Get back here Avon!)
Avon: Can you make her less demanding? How about making her cry?
Avon: She's crying. But now I have a problem.
Writer: Now you tell me...Ok I'm taking that part out.
Avon: But it still happened.
Writer: What do you mean it still happened? It can't if I take it out of the story.
Avon: But I remember it.
Writer: What!!!
Writer: Okay one of you is going to get captured.
Argus: Make it me.
Reya: Oh no you don't.
Argus: It's better if I do it.
Reya: You're always trying to be the hero. I'm not standing for it.
Argus: Is the person captured going to get hurt?
Writer: Yes.
Argus: Then I'm definitely not having you do it Reya.
Reya: Stop trying to protect me!
Argus: Look what if you get to rescue me.
Reya: Well...
Argus: And I'm really really grateful.
Writer: I was planning that anyways.
Reya: Ok.
Argus: You had me shot again! On the same shoulder! This is getting embarrassing!
Writer: Well...ooops?
Reya: Stop being such a baby, Argus.
Writer: Thanks Reya.
Reya: Don't mention it.
Argus (mumbles incoherently)
Writer: About the sex thing.
Argus: Have you made a decision?
Writer: No. Not yet. I'm just lucky that your response wasn't 'ewww'.
Argus: Why would we say that?
Reya: Yes, why would we say that?
Argus: We are consenting adults.
Reya: Yes, we're adults.
Writer: (looks at them suspiciously)
Start of Damaged Beginnings Story
Reya: Why are we not together in this story?
Writer: Well Argus left you at the end of the last story remember?
Reya: This is not acceptable.
Argus: I agree with Reya.
Reya: You don't have to agree with me.
Argus: I know I don't have to. I want to.
Reya: I'm not finished being mad at you yet.
Argus: What did I do?
Reya: YOU LEFT ME!!!
Writer: Oh no.
Servalan: They're amusing
Avon: If you like that kind of thing
Writer: Stay in your corner you two.
Servalan: Let's see how she manages this.
Writer: Shut up!
Writer: Alright Argus and Reya...how about if the two of you get to talk to each other?
Reya: Can I continue giving him a hard time?
Writer: Yes.
Reya: It's not ideal but can accept that, for now.
Argus: Do I have a say in this?
Reya: No
Argus: Ok
Servalan: She has him wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she. I like strong females.
Avon: This is inhuman.
Writer: This is not a spectator sport you two!
Damaged Beginnings: Chapter 10
Reya: Oh, are we finally doing the scene?
Writer: Yes.
Argus: Why am I the only one in this scene right now?
Writer: Be patient.
A little later...
Argus: Why am I almost naked now? And I'm still alone?
Reya: Shhh. Quiet Argus. She said to wait.
Argus: You're enjoying this, aren't you?
Reya: Now why would I do that?
Argus grumbles
Reya: You're making growling sounds
Argus: I am not!
(Servalan: Growling sounds? That's cute)
Reya: Go away Servalan!
Argus: I am not doing this with an audience!
Reya: Ohhhh
Argus: What? Hang on a minute! What do you mean "It was beautiful to watch him?" Change that line right now!
Reya: But you are beautiful.
Argus: I am?
Reya: You are to me.
Argus Alright you can keep that line.
(Avon: I believe this is making me ill. I'm leaving.)
Writer: Avon doesn't like it. I think I'll change it to "mesmerizing" instead.
Reya: Keep swimming dear.
Argus: Alright.
Reya: Wow.
Argus: What?
Reya: Nothing dear. Keep going.
Argus grumbles
Reya: Am I showing up soon?
Writer: Very soon.
Reya: Good. Uhhh...(whispers) can I attack him first?
Writer: What?!!
Reya: Well...all that muscle...
Writer: And you want to see it up close and in action? I thought that was the whole point of this exercise?
Reya: That's a different kind of exercise.
Writer: Do you really think it's a good idea?
Reya: Believe me. He'll like it.
Writer: Alright.
A little later...
Argus: Why is she attacking me? I thought we were supposed to be doing something else.
Writer (to Reya): I thought you said he would like this?
Reya: Well, not right away. Wait a bit.
Writer: Now you tell me.
Argus: Is anyone going to answer my question?
Servalan: This is interesting.
(Avon from a distance: Don't even think about it, Servalan.)
Writer: Why are you still here?
Servalan: Research
Writer: Research?
Servalan: Just go back to what you were doing. I won't bother anyone.
Writer shakes head
The fight...and more
Argus: This is fun.
Reya: You see? He likes it.
Argus: oh
Reya: He really likes it. Now don't move, Argus.
Argus: hmmm?
A little later...
Reya: 'He closed his eyes and enjoyed her attentions???' How come I'm doing all the work?
Argus: You call this work? Besides, you attacked me before. I think I should get to enjoy it.
Reya: Oh no you don't!
Argus: oooohhh
Afterwards...
Reya: That was incredible.
Argus: hmmm
Servalan: That was disgusting.
(Avon from a distance: You're just jealous. Now leave them alone.)