Attempting to capture and critique the human condition is an inherent part of writing, just as writing is and of itself a facet of the human condition. Creating complex, fallible, credible characters who – warts and all – can propel the narrative and at the same time tell us something about ourselves and the world we inhabit is a challenge for any writer. To talk about character building and other aspects of the craft, will be Finnish author and psychologist Jussi Valtonen; Swedish journalist, author and film critic Helena von Zweigbergk; and from China, writer and art critic Sheng Hai; and author and literary journal editor Zheng Xiaolu. In conversation with author and literary academic Xie Youshun.