It's all about the characters

In the last week, I have been thinking about NaNo and writing a lot, so I've been thinking about that phenomenon a lot, which is maybe why Iam noticing all of these other instances of people voicing that same thought.

I was reading Susan's writing blog last week and she said the exact same thing.

I was reading a published writer's website the other day, and she expressed the same thoughts.

I just finished a fictionalized murder mystery where a real crime novelist (Agatha Christie, whom I adore) was the protagonist, and - in this fictionalized account - she was expressing the same feeling - that it's the characters who tell the story and she is merely along for the ride. The author of the fictionalized account of the Agatha Christie murder mystery noted that Ms. Christie did say that from time to time, and that he, as a writer, felt the same way. He is a very successful and popular author whom I respect a lot.

Last night I was reading a book about Friends, and the writers said the same thing. Ross and Rachel were never supposed to get together - it was supposed to be Monica and Joey. But, as the writers said, the characters went where they wanted to, and the writers just let them talk and tell their story. Even if it was different than what the writers had plan/expected.

So, all of these writers who are wonderful writers that I enjoy and that I respect very much. So, this is good, sound advice, which I have also experienced first hand and know to be true.

So, what's the point of this rather wordy post?

Now, I am afraid that this year the characters are going to be dead silent because I am counting on them to write my story for me. Yes, Cassie popped into my head, but what if she decides that she has nothing to say to me come November 1?