Yelling at Your Characters

Is it that odd to think that we could be sitting behind a computer, yelling at it because our characters are begging to do something you don't want? Have you ever fought them, trying to get them to do what YOU want and they fought you every step of the way, the writing coming across as rigid and stale. Trust me, it's not only you.

Say your character is at a fork in the road, right? There are two paths ahead of him/her and well, one is bright and beautiful and safe, but the other is dark and creepy and a place you know is full of danger, something you don't want your character to go through (but knowing me and my writing, I always throw my characters into the danger zone, but for this example we'll do the opposite). You know that if they go down the dark path that it will set ALL of your plans array, but still, that's what they want. Even writing this now, I want to say to take your character down the path that follows your plan, but I would be lying.

I can't tell you to go down the beautiful one that's also safe and everything pretty and peppy, but the truth is, characters eventually get what they want. Characters are like babies. You raise them, but they will eventually defy you. Just ask any author. If they're not defying you at one point, then I feel like there would be something wrong (that's just my opinion though). It always feels like if they're defying you and changing their book that they're more realistic, coming to life and growing up, thinking for themselves. If they think going down that dark path, let them. Maybe they take three steps in and change their minds, in which case, YAY, but otherwise, let them live and learn, right?

I guess the main thing about this post is that at that point,  it is okay to yell at them or complain to a friend. I do it all the time, just ask my friends! They're probably all tired of my complaints about my characters doing their own thing. I get angry and frustrated and a part of me doesn't want to write what they want to do, but again, your character will eventually get what they want.