Character References

Post date: Feb 05, 2013 3:8:37 PM

I often wonder if other authors use references from real life when designing characters. I don't mean flaws or strengths from friends and family to help flesh out and balance a character so he/she feels real. I mean, using a picture to model a character description.

Often the tiniest detail can make or break a character; but what if you model your character's appearance on a real person? Does that help or hurt their believablility? Can that be considered invasion of privacy?

Certainly, we shouldn't base a character's personality completely off one individual; but perhaps appearance is less strict. After all, if we need a guideline to choose a face, when not take one from the familiar?

But, then, do we need to give credit to that person or ask for permission?