Another Characterocracy.

The characters of The Devil You Know have conspired against me and taken over the book, turning it into yet another characterocracy. They've determined that they are above my outline and refuse to respect mah authoritah.

This is, of course, a good thing: It means they're taking on lives of their own and aren't allowing themselves to be shoehorned into an outline. And actually, they haven't dramatically changed the outcome of the story itself, but they have shifted some of the relationship dynamics. The events of the last several chapters still happen as I'd planned, but they happen for different reasons, and I think they're happening for the right reasons now.

One character was supposed to be a bit uncomfortable with a particular situation, but he decided, to hell with that, he was pissed. Really pissed. Not to mention hurt. He ended up storming out and leaving the main character with his jaw on the floor and feeling like a total jackass (and rightfully so).

A chapter or two later, another character launched into an unexpected tirade during an argument, completely changing the direction of the conversation and bringing up things I wasn't even aware of that had caused the downfall of his relationship with the character he's arguing with (a relationship that ended prior to the beginning of the book). In doing so, he shows a more emotional, vulnerable side, changing the way their argument is resolved and catching both the other character and me completely off guard. In fact, the things he said made me choke up a little. Yes, I admit it. I got a little misty-eyed because of something my character said.

I know this sounds like madness to some people, but just trust me on this one: When the characters take over and run off with scenes, it means I've done something right and they're becoming more "real". And sometimes they do say things that come completely out of left field - or rather, from the character, not me. Those are the moments that truly, more than anything, make me love this job.

Anyway, the characterocracy that is The Devil You Know has passed the Milestone of Destinah, currently clocking in at around 20,700 words. It also garnered me my first Sort it, Shithead in months, with a plot detail that I didn't think through as well as I should have. Scarlett, of course, noticed it immediately and her disapproval rained down from the heavens. Duly chastened, I sorted the scene in question...which, ironically, may be a moot point now that I know what I do about one of the characters.

Insanity? Probably. But I wouldn't trade it for the world.