When Fictional Characters Take Over Your Life
Hi everyone! Brandi Creek here.
There's something nobody warns you about when you become an author.
Your fictional characters apparently don't understand that they're fictional.
When I start writing a book, I usually have a pretty good idea of who my characters are, where their story is going, and how everything will eventually work out. After all, I'm the author. I'm supposed to be in charge, right?
Yeah, about that.
Somewhere along the way, these imaginary people develop personalities, opinions, and a remarkable ability to make my life more complicated.
A character who was supposed to be quiet and reserved suddenly has a sarcastic streak a mile wide. Someone I intended to be a minor character becomes so entertaining that I keep finding excuses to bring them into another scene. And occasionally, two characters have so much chemistry that I start wondering whether they need a book of their own.
Before I know it, the story I thought I was writing has taken a few unexpected turns.
And don't even get me started on the side characters.
I love creating ranch families, close friendships, and communities where everyone knows everyone else's business. The problem is that once I've created all these people, they refuse to stay politely in the background.
The ranch cook has opinions. The brothers can't stop giving each other a hard time. Somebody's grandmother knows entirely too much about what's happening in everyone's love life. And there's always at least one character who thinks it's their personal responsibility to meddle in everybody else's relationships.
Honestly, it's a wonder anyone on my fictional ranches gets any work done.
But that's also one of my favorite things about writing a series.
As the books progress, the characters become familiar. The couple who fell in love in the first book doesn't simply disappear when their story ends. They're still around, raising families, helping their friends, arguing with their siblings, and occasionally offering advice nobody asked for.
And somewhere along the way, they start to feel like old friends.
Of course, spending hours every day with imaginary people does come with a few occupational hazards.
I'll be making dinner, folding laundry, or doing something completely unrelated to writing when an idea pops into my head. Suddenly, I'm mentally working through a conversation between two characters who don't actually exist.
Or I'll be trying to fall asleep when I realize exactly how a scene should play out.
Apparently, my imagination doesn't believe in business hours.
And then there's the strange experience of finishing a series. After spending so much time with these characters, saying goodbye can be surprisingly difficult. I've laughed with them, cried with them, wanted to shake some sense into them, and celebrated when they finally figured out what the reader and I knew all along.
They're meant for each other!
Maybe that's why I love writing connected series so much. I don't have to say goodbye quite so quickly. There's always another brother, another friend, or another stubborn cowboy waiting for his turn.
So, if you've ever wondered what goes on inside an author's head, picture a whole bunch of fictional people talking at once while the author desperately tries to get everyone organized.
And just when I think I've finally got them under control, another cowboy shows up with a story to tell.
I'd love to hear from you! Have you ever read a book and fallen so in love with a side character that you wished they'd get their own story?
Happy reading,
Brandi
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