So, I’ve decided to start writing about the creative process as I finish a script and start working on two other projects.

There’s nothing quite like the nervousness that wracks you when you take on an ambitious project, working with established characters and starting to craft a story—not one that is going to be cosmic in scale. Not one that is going to alter the landscape of any books dramatically… but a character piece that delves into the motivation and self-discovery of a character. One that has been established and needs a little attention now and again.

You find quickly that, as you cycle through ideas and plots, that a lot of antagonists are simply replaceable. In many cases, antagonists, while propel the story and can be very interesting in their own rights, are secondary to how they can service the main characters.

For example, in my current project script, I’ve changed the villain at least three times. I finally settled on one that wasn’t used very often, but still fits the purpose. The villain, itself, did not serve any purpose than to facilitate the necessary obstacles for the main character.

It has been said that if you take dialogue you have written for a character, and can have it said by any character without any difference in impact or wording, then the dialogue was bad. I believe this wholeheartedly. I also believe it is true for stories—and something to that effect has been said many times over.

It all depends on twist and how the characters relate to it. In this case, the main character doesn’t even tell the story for a good portion of the book. It is being told about him. To view him and his actions through the eyes of another before delving into his perspective.

It’s been interesting so far.

The writing process is always so organic if you let it be. There were certain circumstances that I wanted to see in the issue before writing in-depth. I had them plotted. I had them there. Then, as I wrote the script, the characters basically said: no. This is not happening. Re-write this.

That connection, when you feel the characters speak as you write or type, is such a thrill… because when you listen to how they want it to flow, everything just comes out so easily.

It’s not perfect, no draft ever is, but you have a more natural transition through the story and scenes. It is due to times like those that I enjoy writing.