- Joined
- Oct 30, 2006
- Messages
- 259
- Reaction score
- 48
So, in my time here at AW, I've read a lot of comments by people describing how the characters end up writing the story themselves. And I didn't really get it. People would be talking about how the characters would do and say things they didn't expect, things that totally surprised them, and I couldn't really see how that happened--sometimes I'd come up with a super-great idea and surprise myself with it, but the characters? I came up with the plot and the characters, they go together. I am their master. The story goes the way I want it to go. Yes, the characters motivations and actions should drive the plot, but I am the one who dictates those motivations.
Then, today, the female lead of my paranormal romance set a house on fire.
What? I go. Where did that come from?
And then the male lead chimes in to inform me that it's his fault, and that everything else is too, because he's just that important.
What? I go.
He is a minor deity, after all, he informs me.
WHAT?
And all the other dieties are out to get him, and--
What?! No! No! This isn't what I planned at all!
But it's what's supposed to happen, they told me.
...And, well, there you go. I don't think I can argue with that kind of logic. But damn, I hardly even know what genre I'm writing anymore! I think it's turning into a YA fantasy. I'm finding myself almost mad at the characters, because this isn't what I wanted to write, but on the other hand, I'm pleased at how clever they are. If that makes any sense. Part of me wants to snatch back the reigns and yank them all back into their places, but the story they seem to have come up with just makes so much sense that I don't think I can ignore it.
Do other people find themselves dealing with totally out-of-control characters? And how do you know when to restrain the characters and when to just throw up your hands and let them walk all over you? Do you usually try to force the plot back on track, or surrender to them?
Then, today, the female lead of my paranormal romance set a house on fire.
What? I go. Where did that come from?
And then the male lead chimes in to inform me that it's his fault, and that everything else is too, because he's just that important.
What? I go.
He is a minor deity, after all, he informs me.
WHAT?
And all the other dieties are out to get him, and--
What?! No! No! This isn't what I planned at all!
But it's what's supposed to happen, they told me.
...And, well, there you go. I don't think I can argue with that kind of logic. But damn, I hardly even know what genre I'm writing anymore! I think it's turning into a YA fantasy. I'm finding myself almost mad at the characters, because this isn't what I wanted to write, but on the other hand, I'm pleased at how clever they are. If that makes any sense. Part of me wants to snatch back the reigns and yank them all back into their places, but the story they seem to have come up with just makes so much sense that I don't think I can ignore it.
Do other people find themselves dealing with totally out-of-control characters? And how do you know when to restrain the characters and when to just throw up your hands and let them walk all over you? Do you usually try to force the plot back on track, or surrender to them?
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