Look at Jane Austen. Her characters derive in a reasonably straight line from fairy tales.
Andrew DaviesI try to trace the connection between the characters and that way a story or plot emerges.
Anita DesaiWhen a character bears the same name as the author it's just an invitation to have some fun.
Arthur PhillipsAny author of fiction will tell you that characters don't need to be told what to do.
Alexander McCall Smith