...right when you don't need them to be!
Has anyone ever had a great new idea for a plot twist in your book, and tried to try it out, only to have your characters refuse to follow it? I know at least my characters can be downright persnickety sometimes!
So, what do you do? Other then tell them they have to follow it because you're the author and you said so, here's some advice.
1). Hold an interview. No, I'm perfectly serious. Write down a list of questions about the characters in your book. Something like (here I'm going to use a sub-character in the book I'm writing. She's not really giving me grief, but she's my example) this:
name: Lydia (this is just for keeping track of whose interview is whose)
job/profession: tavern-maid
personality: spunky, energetic, observant and quick-witted but at first glance acts like a silly twit.
problem: she wants to quit her job at the tavern. I want her to stay and gather information for my main characters.
Now that you've written it down, think on the problem. Maybe you could compromise some way between your opinion and that of your character's.
2). Your character may have a point in their suggestion. You could try to do it their way and see what results. You could come up with something very interesting! This is the one I use most often and that helps the most.
3). Kill the character! Uh, might I add that this is only useful when your problem character is only a sub character that can't add anything more to the story and you have no emotional attachment to (is it possible to have no attachment to characters you made up?). Once again, this can lead to ...ah...interesting results.
4). Conflict with your character and do it your way, just to experiment if the character really will refuse to work for you. This is something I DON'T suggest.
Out of all the cures, number 2 is most suggested.
Yours without wax,
Izori
P.S. And, a very happy New Year to everyone! God bless, and let's all toast to another year filled with writing!
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