Every time I start to write a new story, there’s an initial period when I struggle to write naturally--especially when it comes to my characters. It happens without fail, even if I’ve sketched out character profiles to go along with the proposed plot line.

Like getting to know any new person in my life: it takes time.

To help with this process, I’ll first go on an internet search. I look for photos of people who are as close to the pictures I have in my head as possible. My search history...