A Writer's Woes

Run Away Story

Often times I have an idea of how a story will progress. Perhaps I have outlined the plot and planned the scenes. But when I sit down to write, the story and the characters take on a life of their own. They may or may not follow the course I have set for them. I once set out to write a romance between Characters A and B. Character C played into the drama. As I wrote, though, Character C took over. The story became a drama between Characters A and C with Character B running interference. It turned out to be a great story, but not at all what I had originally intended. Later, I wrote a sequel which contained the romance between Characters A and B.

I find it quite useful to let the characters move the story in the direction they see fit. I let them come alive. I think my writing is better for it. Some say this is a bad idea; as the author, you are supposed to be in control of the story and handing that control over to the characters is dangerous. Perhaps. But my writing is better for it. If my characters come to life enough to take over the story and tell their own, all within the confines of some literary work, then the end result is not forced, it is flowing, glowing, burning with its own essence. And for that, I am grateful.

posted by chrmisha @ 8:16 AM