While working on Senders, I created a collage of pictures to help me focus on the characters and main elements.  The collage included magazine and newspaper pictures of people to represent all the characters (including Tommy’s parents, who never appear in the story), a large satellite dish, a radiation symbol, a cluster of balloons and a clip art clown all taped together on one large sheet of paper.  Pictures of Susan Sarandon and Jack Black were there to represent Jane and Poppa.  A local student with a soulful gaze represented Leza (Lisa, Lysa,  – the spelling has morphed).  For a long time I kept this collage posted on the wall next to my desk.