When Characters Take Over
by
Janine McCaw
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| Genre-Paranormal/Supernatural/Fantasy |
If you write fiction, then this has probably happened to you. You've carefully plotted your chapters so you've got a clear idea of where you're headed in this journey you've mapped out for yourself. You know that your antagonist is scheduled to meet his maker around two-thirds of the way into your story; his own conflict being resolved with three words—Monroe was dead.
Then you pause. You wonder if you've done the right thing, unaware that what Monroe really was, was clever. About a third of the way into your story he began to seduce you. Sure he had shown you his bad side, but every once in a while he began to throw in some charm. He's so charming in fact, that by the halfway point in your book, you're starting to think that maybe Monroe doesn't die. Maybe your protagonist gives him an epiphany so empowering that evil no longer lurks in good old Monroe.
It's the curse of writing good characters. They come alive. They dance around in your brain like multiple personalities and prey on you like your kids. They start to talk back. You try not to listen to those voices in your head, but they just won't shut-up. They take you to the left when you really want to go right.
Remind yourself about the book you initially set out to write. Go back to those initial notes and swear on Monroe's grave that you're going to take him down on page 175. Maybe he doesn't go down in a hail of bullets, maybe he goes down in just one, but down he goes—Monroe is dead.
P.S. Here's a tip I've learned from experience. Save the day of Monroe's demise for when you've had a really bad day at work. That's right. That scene will be so much easier to write when Monroe begins to sound like the person or situation that has driven you to the point where chocolate offers no comfort. It also saves you a trip to the therapist.
