How do you find your characters?

I had planned different subject matter for this post.

Resolutions, goal setting, keeping your sanity while you try something new.

All those ideas flew out of the window when I stopped at a convenience store on my way home from the day job.

The store is just before the bridge that connects Illinois and Missouri.  I cross two rivers every day to get to work.  The area is surrounded by small lakes. Eagle watching is an annual event. I love the rural feel so close to the major city where I work.

As I walked to the store from the parking lot, I followed a couple.  He stopped at the door, leaned over to the young woman and said, "They don't know I'm with you. So act like you don't know me."

Her face turned gray.

I wanted to punch him.

As I gathered my items, I overheard more of their conversation. The man had been drinking, apparently worked at the store, and they stopped on their way home for him to use the restroom.

She stood in the aisle, waiting for him to reappear.

I wanted to tell her to run.  Run and never look back.

I heard today that when women have sex, the brain puts out this chemical that causes her to bond with the man, good or bad.  I wondered about this young woman.  Overweight, she looked beaten down and older than her years.  Had she bonded with the wrong man?

I need to bring this back to writing. Character development by ease dropping? Or did I just see the start of a mystery plot?  I guess there's no doubt who the victim would be in my story.  When I write about Jen (see, I've already named her), she might start out as the woman I saw tonight, but her world is about to change.

So fellow writers?  Have you ever wanted to rewrite someone's life?  Give them the happy ever after you know they deserve?

Lynn