WIP Question

[Coco82]

Originally it was supposed to cover one character's life and times and him being the obvious main character, but his best friend has developed into one of the main character as well. I don't mind this necessarily, but has this ever happened w/anyone else? Also these characters have kids or are going to and I'm playing w/the idea of putting their children in the story as they older. I don't know yet. I haven't done anything concrete w/that yet, but wanted some feedback.

[James D. Macdonald]

Characters taking over and doing unexpected things? Happens all the time.

[azbikergirl]

One of my favorite scenes in my novel WIP wrote itself like that. I was going to put a character to bed for the night, but she snuck out while everyone else was asleep. I was like, 'where the heck does she think she's going?!' and the result was rather fun!

[Trapped in amber]

Characters can be attention seeking, disobedient, stubborn, they make you want to pull your hair out...just like kids.

[arrowqueen]

Just follow them with your notebook in your hand.

[Mark]

That's one of the best parts of writing. You think you know what's up, but then your characters surprise you.

[WVWriterGirl]

Been there. Done that. Can't wait to go back again!

WVWG

[zornhau]

Yep. Even with detailed outlining, characters grow as you get to know them, with knock on effects further down the line.

[triceretops]

My characters are leading me around by the nose, showing me what they want. I wonder sometimes, who's writing this book?

Tri

[oswann]

Writing would be so much easier if those pesky characters would just do what I wanted.

Os.

[Greenwolf103]

That is so true, Tri. And oswann: Then it wouldn't be much fun. ;)

[Mistook]

Many of my main characters have become quite stubborn. If they feel I'm ignoring their needs, or that I don't understand them well enough, they refuse to act. Meanwhile, the supporting cast are all champing at the bit to steal the scene.

[Alphabeter]

You can try to give them their own story on the side.

I've even promised them a whole separate novel all to themselves.

But there are some characters who just come forward and take over This Novel and that is that. I must write about them right now in this set of circumstances or else.

I'm afraid of the what else. The voices are bad enough. :scared:

[MillyBecker]

One of my characters turned into a really mean vindictive *****. I never saw it coming!

One of my favorite quotes:
Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say.
~Sharon O'Brien

[jdkiggins]

Maybe it's just that his best friend has become the confidant in the story.

[Wandering Sensei]

In the mystery series I'm developing (still doing some research), my forensic specialist/martial artist was going to be the main character. Among the other ongoing characters was the assistant sensei at her dojo. But then he moved up in importance somehow and now he's the secondary character, or even the second main protagonist.

And sometimes I'm writing and the characters simply decide to take this abrupt left turn, leaving the author chasing after waving a notebook and pen at them.