Hi, Dotsie and TVC15!
Dotsie, that is a terrific suggestion. Glad you made that post! I know we all have our fingers crossed for Speakermom.
I do belong to Sisters in Crime. I would like to join some more.
Which writing conferences do you attend, Dotsie? Which would you recommend?

TVC15:
My characters are composites. Sometimes I observe a complete stranger's habits and they make it into my book. Could be something as simple as wearing their glasses on their forehead, or as complex as the baggage they carry around from past relationships.
In "Kickback", I did model Aunt Jo's home after my own aunt's home in central Tennessee. In the sequel to Kickback, I got the inspiration for Sheila's roots from my father's family...
I do add in real names to make the stories more believable, such as a politician, anchor, or celebrity, but never as a main character and never when I am fictionalizing a scene with them.