Friday, April 22, 2011

S if for Splitting Up

Some characters just don’t know when to stop. They’re yelling, screaming, doing their usual tantrum and it’s all because they don’t get along. In the real world one would tell them to suck it up. There are a lot of people in this world that don’t get along and they are still forced to work with one another. But what if the character doesn’t improve their behavior?

I guess the question would be is it hurting the story?

If the answer is yes then maybe you should take one of the characters out. Are they destined to be in the spot light? Do you have two main characters on your hands, are they being diva’s and have turned uncontrollable?

This has happened to me before. Two characters that don’t want to listen to what I’ve got to say. Problem is that I’m equally at fault, had I listened that they were both strong enough to be on their own I wouldn’t have ended up with a dead plot on my hands.

Characters are messy but they are also the best part of writing (IMO) and with that being said if they become a little divaish then I’m prepared to deal with it if they’ll make me a star.

How do your characters work?

30 comments:

Laura Pauling said...

I love when characters surprise me even when I have to deal with the fall out!

Unknown said...

Gotta love the strong willed characters! Stop in & read Stylish Blogger

Catherine Denton said...

My characters have definitely surprised me.
My Blog

Heather M. Gardner said...

This is when the pen is mightier than the sword! Look out characters!

Lindsay N. Currie said...

Oooh, I like it when my characters get a little unruly:) Good luck Jen, I'm sure you'll find a good middle ground!

Michael Di Gesu said...

I have a very strong personality and expect my characters to be the same. It's a fun war of the wills and who is the BIGGER control freak.

Happy Easter, Jen.

Stina said...

My characters love to surprise me too. My mc has a thing about letting me know her opinion on things--even if she knows I won't agree (though sometimes--okay, most of the times--she's right).

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Characters are full of surprises. Sometimes that's fun and other times downright frustrating. Without them, where would we be? *sigh*

Laura S. said...

Characters are my favorite part, too. I even don't mind when they surprise me...until I have to fix a plot hole because of that surprise, hahaha!

Jillian said...

Those characters better watch out... sounds like you know how to handle them haha

Have a great Easter Jen!

Anonymous said...

I love the character who does something unexpected, as long as it advances the story.

Jaydee Morgan said...

I've had my dealings with unruly characters. Sometimes I follow, sometimes I enforce the rules.

Michelle Merrill said...

Great point! It's funny what trouble character's can get themselves into before they overstep that line.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

No divas in my stories. A few cocky jerks maybe, but no divas.

M.J. Fifield said...

When my characters start getting out of hand, I threaten them and tell them if they want to survive the next epic battle scene, they'd best start behaving. Works every time. Most every time.

Liz Schulte's Blog said...

My characters have most of the control. They can frustrate me and sometimes annoy, but at the end of the day I have the power to kill them. Muhahahaha

Sara B. Larson said...

The characters with the strongest personalities are the most fun to write, even when they're wreaking havoc with all your carefully laid plans... ;)

mooderino said...

They lead and I follow (occasionally giving them a kick up the backside).

mood
Moody Writing

Laura Josephsen said...

Characters surprise me all the time. When they don't get along--well, I find that can help the plot. Tension can make for good storytelling. ;)

Tracey Neithercott said...

My characters never listen to me, either. I thought my MC was so sweet and innocent but she's totally badass. Didn't see that coming. In retaliation, I killed her sister.

Writer > MC

Anonymous said...

My characters know I'm a vessel and they use me to their advantage. They definitely let their diva sides out but I kind of expect it, considering the professions they're in. I don't know if my plots die because of their pigheadedness; most often it adds tension where it had been lacking before.

San said...

Kick 'em to the curb and/or give 'em their own show (so to speak)...They're happy, you're happy :) And we all benefit :)

Lindsay said...

My characters always surprise me most of the time. But if they start getting too out of hand, I have to take control and show 'em who is boss. Unless they give me a brilliant twist I can use, then I let them be unruly. :)

Jai Joshi said...

I love it when two characters spontaneously go for each other's throats. I just sit back and watch the chaos unfold.

Jai

Laura said...

I find a whip and a stiff talking to usually get my characters back in line :)
Great post Jen. Happy weekend
Lx

Karen Lange said...

Some of my characters have a mind of their own. Others are putty in my hands. You just never know...
Have a great weekend!:)

Aubrie said...

I think it might spice up the story if a character has bad behavior! It depends.... :)

Chuck said...

I believe the men are outnumbered on your follower list...I am here to help tip the balance. Finally got to your blog on my trip down the A-Z rabbit hole. I love it and I'll be back...not like the Terminator but like a stalker. At least we share Texas in common!

Jessica Bell said...

My characters have recently discovered delinquency ...

Anonymous said...

Excellent,bravo