I don't actually know how i write my characters. I don't feel the way most people feel towards there characters. Actually i don't understand the argument that they are real. There not real simply because you have complete control over them. You can make them say and do whatever you want. And how are they separate entities then you... when you created them up and again they are not real?
I've been writing with my LotF characters for a LONG time. I know each one of my characters inside and out, but that's only because I've been developing them for 10 years. Are they real? No, clearly not. But there as close to real as they can get to me and only me, because not a day has gone by in the last 10 years where i haven't thought up scenarios with my characters, or daydreams, or plotting, or something. Hell they are always on my mind. Are they separate from me? No. Not at all because i created them.
I don't know, i feel the fact you can change anything about them at a drop of a dime, there name, hair color, religion, anything with a simple thought proves just how much control you have over a character. I don't really understand when people say the character writes themselves. How? Your the one writing, your the one with control. I've had characters that haven't come off the way i want them too, but that was my fault because when ended up on paper wasn't what fit that ideal picture in my head. I'll joke around saying "This character is a pain in my ass" but that's only because i cant write down there personality right.