Character Quote by Colleen McCullough
“My fictitious characters will take the bit between their teeth and gallop off and do something that I hadn't counted on. However, I always insist on dragging them back to the straight and narrow”
About This Quote
The author describes how imagined characters often act unpredictably, yet the writer deliberately steers them back toward intended narrative goals.
In simple terms: Characters may wander, but the writer guides them.
Key Takeaway
Control narrative direction despite character autonomy.
Themes
creativity
authorial control
storytelling
character agency
narrative structure
Mood
playful
determined
Type
advice
observation
When to use this quote
- writing a novel
- developing a screenplay
- creating a comic series
Key Concepts
unexpected plot twists
authorial intervention
character development
Practical Applications
- plot planning
- character arc shaping
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance spontaneity with structure?
- When should you let characters lead the story?
