Heh, not only have I seen TNG, I'm actually going as Data next Halloween after having realized just how similar he is to myself in so many slightly disturbing ways (maybe a bit of Lore, too...). Where do you think Elizabeth got her love of Earl Grey tea from? :>

I've used the compost metaphor in an old entry of mine about writing, actually - tell Rowling I say hello. ;-) Every character I read or write has a very specific voice of their own, and it does affect my perception of them to a surprising extent.