Since most stories are character driven having great characters is essential. My secret is keeping character sheets. All writers have some way of keeping track their character bios.
I interview my characters. I have a list of questions that I ask them. To choose a name I try to find out where they are from, when they were born and a little about their parents if I can.
Then I have them look in a mirror and describe themselves. I have their worst enemy describe them. I will have their lover describe them. And maybe a parent or sibling describe them.
You learn a lot about your characters when you view them from others perspective.
Well I’m done rambling for now. I must get back to interviewing characters for my next book.
Ang's Adventures in Writing 