A Goodreads user asked Maggie Shipstead:

Where in the world do you get your ideas for your characters? In both of your books --you've characters a reader wants to 'spank'. How do you write such wonderful books with snotty characters? What's your hidden talent?

Maggie Shipstead Thanks, Elyse! You know, one thing I've learned since publishing Seating Arrangements is that readers will perceive your characters in all kinds of unexpected ways. It's really interesting! I don't think about likeability when I'm writing; I think more about if I'm interested in the character. (Not that my being interested in a character means everyone else will be or should be.) Seating Arrangements exists only because I had a lot of chemistry with the character of Winn Van Meter. I felt like I got him and like I had lots to say about him and lots of things I wanted to happen to him. I have a lot of affection for him! He's really my favorite character in that book.

In Astonish Me, some of the characters' self-absorption seemed to me like a natural by-product of dedicating their lives to a pursuit that requires you to stare into a mirror for hours every day, to focus so intensely on your body, to fight your way through hordes of competitors all in hopes of having a moment of glory onstage, being applauded. Not to say that there aren't plenty of well-adjusted, giving, generous ballet dancers--there certainly are. But a novel about them would be so bland!

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