So, when I dream up a character, I'm building a person in my head. I give them a unique personality, and poof, they come to life.

That's pretty cool to me. What nobody warned me about is that these people with free reign in my head are just as imperfect as everyday-walking around humans.

They have their own ideas about the language they would use, how much steam they want in their scenes, and even have their own ideas about story details.

I've had one character wake me up in the middle of the night like one of my children, just to drag me to my computer to type out a cool idea they had for a plot twist.

I've argued with at least two of my guys over wanting to use words that I won't allow in my stories. "But ___ ____ would sound so much better in this spot!" Gunner whined.

In my current project, Crashproof, I'm having trouble with both my leads. Bandaid kept interrupting Devil's story, impatient to start his own. Charli, my female character, is going through a really traumatic time and is so moody that sometimes, she won't even talk to me!

Not sure if this is normal or even healthy.
My hope is that if they're real to me, they'll be real to you.

If so, let me know. Then maybe they can come in live in your head for a while and give me a break.