For all you authors out there… have you ever been writing and all of a sudden your character(s) does something you weren’t expecting and just really pisses you off?

And to all the readers… have you found this to be true… You’re reading a book and suddenly it takes a turn, the character(s) surprises you in a way you don’t like?

Well, I’ve been working on my latest novel and something just happened in the story line that I was not expecting at all! NO… I DON’T OUTLINE! I’ll just put that out there. I have in the past outlined my stories, but I find that they always take on a life of their own, so I don’t even bother anymore. It is my style, it isn’t everyone’s style. That is to say, that it might not work for everyone, but authors are unique… we all have our own styles.

The thing is, I know my characters as if they were real living people. I know their stories… their backgrounds… their futures, or at least I thought I knew their futures. So, it takes a lot for them to surprise me. That is why when something happens in one of my stories that just completely blindsides me I GET PISSED. Don’t get me wrong, I think that what has happened – HAD TO HAPPEN – even if I didn’t know it before I typed it. Even if it upsets me… AND I HAS…in a really REALLY good way!

I’m just wondering if I am alone in this. 

As a reader, when something like this happens in a book you are reading, does it make you put the book down and stop reading? I hope not. In the end, I think this twist will lead to the ending the book is meant to have, but I will admit… it is a hard pill to swallow right now.

Just wondering what your thoughts are on the subject. Share your comments if you care!