What prompts you to write? Many of my stories come when I'm doing something else.
My husband and I were driving along a desert road heading south to visit my son and his wife. In the middle of nowhere was a large crop being irrigated.
And I thought - what if aliens had a secret farming community here on Earth? And what if a young mother gets lost on an unfamiliar road and literally tumbles into their community. And what if the aliens are the opposite of meek and mild? And what if her own government banishes her for life to keep the secret?
Betrayed a three volume dark and steamy SCIFI soon to be published.

Sometimes as we write, a character develops who is, well, a character. That would be Lainie from The Dimidiums, a seven book series, due out later this year. As a matter of fact, she often outshines the main characters. Here are a few of her memorable moments from the first three books:

Book 1 Bound by Love  “Hello, Visitor Janna. I’m Lainie. Can I get you something to drink?”
Janna peeked around Lainie. Trevor was watching with a worried look. She took Lainie’s hand and Lainie shook her hand warmly. “No, thank you.” Janna glanced at Trevor and he slowly shook his head no.
“Are you here to see someone in particular?” asked Lainie.
“Trevor told me not to talk to anyone.”
“Trevor? Really? You’re with Trevor? You’re the mystery? I’ve heard rumors.” She hooted excitedly and turned to Trevor with a huge grin. She pointed at him and at Janna then tapped her butt and mouthed “Ow”. Trevor gave her an impatient look and motioned for her to leave. Instead, she sat down. “I’ll keep you company,” she said, patting Janna’s leg.
Trevor gestured again for Lainie to go, but Lainie threw him a kiss and pointed to her butt. He looked away, furious, but it seemed to Janna that he was also uncomfortable and apprehensive.

Book 2 Blood Lust  “Uh huh.” Ina blew a large bubble and popped it with her finger, and Trinity and Karla jumped.
“I’ve never seen that symptom before,” said Trinity.
“Lainie,” Stefan glowered at her, “tell me you didn’t give Ina bubble gum.”
“Oops. Can’t do that, boss sir.” Lainie adjusted herself in the seat. Janna, Ina, and Lainie giggled.
“Throw it away,” ordered Trevor.
“What is it?” asked Jeffrey.
“Lainie taught Ina how to chew human gum,” explained Janna with another giggle.
“Figures the sugarholic would teach her that.” Jeffrey glared at Lainie. “That’s why you’re sick, all that sweet stuff is bad for Halblings.”
“Who asked you to comment, Sir Fraidy-cat?” asked Lainie.
“Don’t call me names,” Jeffrey boomed, “and I’m not afraid of nothing.”
“Yep. You said it,” said Lainie.
“Said what?” asked Jeffrey.
“Double negative equals positive,” said Lainie, “so you admitted it.”
Jeffrey growled.
“No growling, son, and no whatever that is at my table, Ina dear.” Karla’s voice was stern. “Give it to James.”
Ina took the gum out and stuck it on James’ arm. James sighed, and Ina dissolved into a fit of giggles.
“Irritating, isn’t it?” Jeffrey shook his head. “Something the runt would do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Bring it on. I’m not afraid of you, Sir Dufus the Unbrave.” Lainie started to get up, but Trevor pushed her down.

Book 3 For Our Love  Jeffrey turned to smile at Lainie, but she had just taken a partially eaten doughnut covered with lint out of her shirt pocket. He grabbed it before she could put it in her mouth and he growled.
“What?” she asked. “The boys are hungry. So am I.”
“No more bad foods. You promised.”
“I crossed my fingers,” she said.
“What’s that got to do with doughnuts?”
“Human thing,” called Trevor.
“Don’t you try to trick me, Lynx. I’ll be watching you constantly. What have you got in your mouth now?”
“Thocolate,” said Lainie, munching on a chocolate bar. “Other pocket.”
“You have any more of that human sugary stuff?” he asked.
“Nope,” she said.
“Did she put her hands behind her back?” asked Trevor.
“Yeah, why?” Jeffrey looked over at Trevor.
Trevor turned his back and showed his brother crossed fingers. Jeffrey snarled and looked at his wife.
“What’s in your mouth now?” he asked.
“Licorice.”
Jeffrey took it away. “Any more junk food?”
“Nope.”
He turned her over and her fingers were crossed.
“Next time, you lose those fingers.”
Lainie pulled out a taffy from another pocket.
“Give me that. Am I going to have to body search you?”
“I’m up for that,” said Lainie.
“You drive me crazy, Runt.”
“That’s my job, Mega Man, that’s my job.”

Chapter two of Book Two, Blood Lust is titled: Hairy Chest and Sponge Balls. Whatever could that chapter be about?

I've been reading a book series by a well-known author, whose books have been made into a show. I get frustrated in my reading though, by the lack of proper punctuation.
Let's not bog our readers down by ignoring punctuation.
Here are some humorous quotes to show how important punctuation is:
Grammar: the difference between knowing your shit and knowing you're shit.
Let's eat grandpa. Let's eat, grandpa.
I like cooking dogs and kids. I like cooking, dogs, and kids.

Love honor and respect

Sometimes, dreams or pictures cause you to think of a story. The Yardanians came to me while driving with my husband through the desert. We came to a patch of irrigated area surrounded by nothing. As we passed it, my creative mind began to wonder: what if it's a secret alien farming community. And then the plot hit and I had an idea for another book.
My novel Always came to me out of the blue while I was working on two other stories. It demanded my immediate attention.
The Dimidiums? I was dusting a shelving unit when I thought of a man walking down a street in the heat of summer while a young woman sat on her porch and observed him.
Inspiration comes in funny ways. Our job is to listen and then be the instrument that writes the story. That's what thrills me - seeing a story coming alive in front of me.

Love honor and respect.

When I begin to write a new story, I'm amazed how easily characters develop, but sometimes I need help actually seeing the character. That's when I'll use the zodiac to define the personaltiy and give them a quirk.
www.well-storied.com/blog had some additional ideas.

Give your character a goal
Give them a motivation
Give them purpose
Give them a fear
Give them a flaw
She has more ideas, if you're interested. Just go to the website and check them out.

Recently, my husband and I binge-watched a once popular Australian show, but I often found myself frustrated. Characters came and went and often without any reason to be in the story.

We as writers love to write, but let's make sure our characters have a purpose to be there.

Love Honor and Respect to all.

From Book 3 Abandoned: Vexed by their conversation, I decided to provoke Gardash. I wasn’t going to let him win this argument. “If only Gardash wasn’t impatient and didn’t discipline me all the time. He finds me hideous. If only he were as kind as you are, Naerian. Oh, and thank you for saving my prince and for your bravery.” I said the last statement sweetly and manipulatively with a delicate curtsy.
Gardash pressed his fingernails into my palm and I responded with a loud “Ow.”
“Aww. You’re welcome, sweet thing. Gardash, a gentler hand.”
“She pushes me beyond my limits.” Gardash tugged me along. “I will get even. Don’t I always?” he whispered to me.
We entered the house and he ordered the girls to prepare our dinner. After we ate, he sent them to bathe and to bed. Tamia glanced at him often with a desire that resembled a crush.
“Tamia likes you,” I said.
“I’m not interested,” he replied curtly.
“Of course not. You might fall in love.”
“Stay out of my head.”
“Why? You’re never in it.”
“Are you trying to get another punishment?” He opened the book and patted his lap. I dutifully complied. We went over the articles regarding consorts and I was shocked by Yardan callousness of those considered below. I was also traumatized and sickened. I shouldn’t have been surprised. The Yardanians were an insensitive race in regards to their captives.

Can you imagine how you would feel if this happened to you?

Love honor and respect to all.