When Your Characters Won’t Behave (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
Have you ever carefully outlined your entire story, feeling smugly confident about your perfectly organised plot, only to have your main character wander off in the opposite direction? Rude, honestly. Yet somehow, it's in those rebellious moments—when your characters utterly refuse to behave—that some of your most brilliant storytelling emerges.
When I started writing, I had this naive idea that characters would obediently follow my beautifully crafted plot like actors sticking to a script. Shock horror—they had other ideas. Suddenly, my quiet side character insisted she was actually the hero, and my hero? Well, he just sulked in the corner, uninterested in saving the world today, thank you very much.
Initially, this felt like a disaster. But here’s a little secret I've learned over the years: when characters rebel, it's usually because they’re ready to become something far more interesting. It means they’re alive, breathing, and ready to surprise both you and your readers.
Think about it like this: your characters aren't chess pieces to be moved about—they're more like cats. Independent, unpredictable, and likely to knock your carefully placed plot points right off the table. And just like with cats, the trick isn’t controlling them; it's learning to understand and work with their quirks.
So, how do you harness your characters’ rebellious streak without losing control of your story completely? Here are a few tips:
1. Listen Before You Reign Them In
If your character insists on going off-script, let them wander a little. Often, they're guiding you to richer emotional territory or hidden aspects of your story you hadn't yet discovered.
2. Ask "Why?"
If your protagonist is suddenly reluctant to confront the villain, dig deeper. Maybe they're afraid of what they'll discover about themselves. Perhaps there’s a hidden connection you haven’t yet realised.
3. Keep Your End Goal Flexible
You don't have to abandon your outline entirely, but staying flexible allows you to adapt as your characters grow. Maybe they’ll reach the ending you planned—but perhaps they'll take a fascinating detour first.
4. Let Them Surprise You
Some of the best storytelling comes from letting your characters do things you hadn’t planned. Maybe your timid sidekick is secretly brave, or your villain has a surprisingly sympathetic past. Embrace these revelations—they often add layers and depth you never imagined.
5. Remember Who’s Boss (It's Still You)
Yes, listen to your characters, but also remember you're ultimately in charge. If their rebellious streak threatens the coherence of your narrative, gently steer them back, using what you've learned about them to strengthen their motivations.
Ultimately, characters misbehaving isn’t just inevitable—it's something to celebrate. Their stubbornness can lead you to a richer, deeper, more authentic story. And who knows? Maybe that stubborn side character really was the hero all along.
What’s the wildest way your characters have surprised you? Share your unruly character stories in the comments—I’d love to hear about their antics!