Now that I'm working on REM again, I've been enjoying the creativity of watching my characters evolve.  As I mentioned before in my blogs, for better or for worse, I never outline my books before I write them.  While this may constitute poor writing practice, I love the freedom of creative expression it gives me, watching how from day to day my story evolves and winds its way toward the conclusion of the arc along a path that I've never seen when I start down the road.

So too with my characters.  Many times a character I've thrown in as a placeholder or a sometimes even a feature of the landscape steps forward to play a major role in the story, and I never saw it coming.  Recently in REM a simple dishwasher has become a guide along the protagonist's path.. who knew?  I certainly didn't.

As I thought more about it this morning, it made me wonder if this lack of an outline affects my life as well.  Most of the time it seems we outline our lives.. we purchase, we plan, we know exactly where our future is going.  I did too.. until it took an unexpected turn.  For a time I thought it had destroyed my path.  But instead, it actually revealed it.  Now, I've let planning take more of a backstage in my life.. allowing myself to evolve in ways I never saw coming, just like my characters.  Every time I think something bad has occurred, it's actually become a good thing, a new opportunity, a chance to evolve.  I hope that trend continues.

Many people need to plan, they seek the comfort of it, and for them, I think that's great.  We should all do what we feel comfortable with. 

But for me.. I think I'm going to keep writing.. going to keep watching.. going to keep evolving.  Makes me wonder what other characters I'll meet along the way....