I realised recently that actually it’s the other way around. I was working on my novel, trying to get to grips with all the elements of it, and I realised I have loads of characters. I’m not sure where they all came from. And while I was putting them into my spreadsheet I realised that each one is quite fleshed out in my mind.
Thinking back to all the scenes that started the fragments of all the stories that are gathering dust on my hard drive, it wasn’t about the events at all. They are all characters searching for a story to be in.
So, weird place to be in. But good.
By the way, I thought a post on characters was a good opportunity to showcase the work of my talented cousin who painted the picture in this post. If you like it, you can see more of her work at her Deviant Art gallery.
Boudica Marginalia 
I find knowing your characters is good. Knowing them well and understanding how their mind works is even better. That way you know why they make the decisions they do that drives the story.
Oh, and Iforgot to mention: Your cousin is very talented…
I always know my characters…they're me.
All of them???
Oh yes. Martin's 1st character is himself. His second see's Martin wearing his wig in pig-tails and a mini-skirt, and his third sees him in an A-line skirt, blouse and hair held perfectly in place by so much hairspray you could use him to ram a door down with. Lets hope he remembers to keep his last two well shaven…lol