I've long thought my subconscious is a better writer than my conscious. It's what I think is happening when characters do their own thing without consulting me. Usually the plot turns out the better for it, but it is extremely annoying.
It's also really difficult to explain to people who don't write. My experience is that people think you're a few screws loose when you say that your characters (especially original characters, not ones you've borrowed from another source) have got away from you. After all, how can you lose control of imaginary people you invented? It's only slightly less crazy-sounding than characters walking into a story and introducing themselves to you.
It's also really difficult to explain to people who don't write. My experience is that people think you're a few screws loose when you say that your characters (especially original characters, not ones you've borrowed from another source) have got away from you. After all, how can you lose control of imaginary people you invented? It's only slightly less crazy-sounding than characters walking into a story and introducing themselves to you.