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Q&A Characters jumping out of their stories

Question: What's the best way to channel, handle, or survive this part of the writing process? Answer: Keep a notebook handy. Always. And, set aside time to spend with that character. But addit...

posted 6y ago by DPT‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

Answer
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T10:42:48Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/41648
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar DPT‭ · 2019-12-08T10:42:48Z (almost 5 years ago)
 **Question** :

What's the best way to channel, handle, or survive this part of the writing process?

**Answer** : Keep a notebook handy. Always. And, set aside time to spend with that character.

But additionally, set time aside for the other characters too. Give them one-on-one time.

The characters that arrive fully-formed may well be a part of yourself that is within your core personality. Your truest thoughts. However, the other characters are within you too, and given some coaxing they might share some very valuable insight. Quiet insight.

But secondarily, don't be afraid to _direct_ the strong characters. Put them in situations they don't want to be in. Insist they have conversations with the people they'd rather avoid. You're in charge. It is nice when a character is opinionated, but that doesn't mean they get to write the story.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-01-27T00:37:19Z (almost 6 years ago)
Original score: 3