I&#x27;ve been reading Asimov&#x27;s short stories recently, and not only are they brilliantly imaginative, they also have unusually vivid characters.<p>They&#x27;re not as developed as they would be in a novel, but they&#x27;re certainly <i>not</i> emotionally flat. In fact they&#x27;re colourful but economical - just a few choice phrases and snatches of dialogue paint enough of a picture to bring them to life, complete with complex, sometimes hidden or unexpected motivations, and inner conflicts.<p>They may be of their time, but they&#x27;re certainly not cardboard.