Hm. I'd have to say something in between, but I probably wouldn't take the credit (or blame) for anything my characters do. I see a peak of some plot point that I like the idea of somewhere in the distance and start hiking towards it. However, I often find bumps and such that make me turn aside for a bit, and sometimes I just decide that it's not worth going to that mountain after all and head towards the plains instead.
When I write it's really not a conscious thing for me. I sit down, put my fingers on the keyboard, and suddenly I'm not at my desk anymore. I am watching the characters as they talk, act, laugh, cry. It's like watching a movie. So five hours later, around 3 o'clock in the morning or so, I'll come out of my daze, usually have to wipe tears from my eyes, and look down at what I wrote to make sure it represents what I saw and felt. Usually, that's all that happens before I let my little sister read it and I set it out to post, so each chapter is rather raw for me.
Sure, I have some of the ideas of what's going to happen, but it's like watching a preview to an upcoming movie. I have no idea how it's really going to turn out until it's already written and ready for its final edit.
So I don't really feel like I'm in control or out of control with my characters. They do what they *should* do--what they *would* do, if they really were in the circumstances that they find themselves in my fic. I think it was Ben Jonson who wrote about how writing should reflect human nature. I hope I can catch some of that in my writing.
Really, I think the only thing that's really me in the fic are some of the rare "smirky" moments. You can find them if you look carefully--they're the random humor amidst the darkness. The voice usually has a somewhat wry tone, and likes to tease you readers. So if you recognize it--Hi! That's me! <waves>
Anyway, I've got to go. Good night, all!
SmirkyRaven
