--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My characters surprise me constantly. My…" description: "\"My characters surprise me constantly. My characters are like my friends - I can give them advice, but they don't have to take it. If your characters ar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/laurell-k-hamilton-199_advice_my-characters-surprise-me-constantly-my_1329502.png" --- # My characters surprise me constantly. My characters are… ![“My characters surprise me constantly. My characters are like my friends - I can give them advice, but they don't have to take it. If your characters are real, then they surprise you, just like real people” quote by Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/laurell-k-hamilton-199_advice_my-characters-surprise-me-constantly-my_1329502.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/laurell-k-hamilton-199_advice_my-characters-surprise-me-constantly-my_1329502.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/laurell-k-hamilton-199_advice_my-characters-surprise-me-constantly-my_1329502.png) > “My characters surprise me constantly. My characters are like my friends - I can give them advice, but they don't have to take it. If your characters are real, then they surprise you, just like real people” [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers find their characters develop independently, offering unexpected insights. **In simple terms:** Characters can surprise their creators. Key Takeaway Embrace character autonomy. Themes creativity self-discovery fiction Mood inquisitive playful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - role‑playing games - creative workshops Key Concepts emergent narrative author-character relationship Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when a character defies your plan? - What can you learn from their surprises? A Different Perspective Characters may diverge from intended themes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Characters Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-like/) [Characters Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-real/) [Characters Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-surprise-2396294/) [Friends advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends-advice/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-people/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) ## Related quotes > [To me, my characters are more real than most people I meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilbur-smith/to-me-my-characters-are-more-real-than-most-people-i-meet/) [Wilbur Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilbur-smith/) > [I always talk about my characters like they're real people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dakota-fanning/i-always-talk-about-my-characters-like-they-re-real-people/) [Dakota Fanning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dakota-fanning/) > [I am drawn to characters that go on journeys, characters that are real people, that have life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-wilton/i-am-drawn-to-characters-that-go-on-journeys-characters-that-are-real/) [Penelope Wilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-wilton/) > [I'm not in the business of meddling with people's destinies - and yes, my characters are real people to me. They have histories and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-evison/i-m-not-in-the-business-of-meddling-with-people-s-destinies-and-yes/) [Jonathan Evison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-evison/) > [I never base characters on real people - you can get into so much trouble that way!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scott/i-never-base-characters-on-real-people-you-can-get-into-so-much/) [Michael Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scott/) > [“Sarah often thought it funny how she would think of the characters as if they were real people who had really lived, occupying this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-connelly/sarah-often-thought-it-funny-how-she-would-think-of-the-characters-as/) [Victoria Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-connelly/) > [Ian Fleming used to base his characters on real people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-dux/ian-fleming-used-to-base-his-characters-on-real-people/) [Frank Dux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-dux/) > [“...the characters themselves. The struggles they have to go through, and when you really love them, how much they affect you. When the characters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-zappia/the-characters-themselves-the-struggles-they-have-to-go-through-and/) [Francesca Zappia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-zappia/) > [I follow filmmakers, and story, and characters that surprise and delight me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-hechinger/i-follow-filmmakers-and-story-and-characters-that-surprise-and/) [Fred Hechinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-hechinger/) > [I usually start with an ending, then outline high points of things that happen, and kind of make up the rest as I go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/i-usually-start-with-an-ending-then-outline-high-points-of-things/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [I love it when characters surprise you, just like real people. When I write a scene I just try to make the characters behave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-falchuk/i-love-it-when-characters-surprise-you-just-like-real-people-when-i/) [Brad Falchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-falchuk/) > [I love doing characters that surprise people and showing what I am, which is an actor, first and foremost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ball/i-love-doing-characters-that-surprise-people-and-showing-what-i-am/) [Michael Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ball/) > [The identity of Studio Ghibli movies are how the characters move. They move like live, real people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/makoto-shinkai/the-identity-of-studio-ghibli-movies-are-how-the-characters-move-they/) [Makoto Shinkai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/makoto-shinkai/) > [Kids often ask me if characters are real or made up - and I always tell them, 'I hope they're real but I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/kids-often-ask-me-if-characters-are-real-or-made-up-and-i-always-tell/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [I like characters. I like spirited characters whether they exist in fiction or real life. Whether they're the invention of artistic people or directors,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-jacobs/i-like-characters-i-like-spirited-characters-whether-they-exist-in/) [Marc Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-jacobs/) ## More by Laurell K. Hamilton > [“Edward: I don't know whether to put my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la or find more of your guards so we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/edward-i-don-t-know-whether-to-put-my-fingers-in-my-ears-and-go-la-la/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [So many wonderful books to write, and not enough hours in the day. An embarrassment of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/so-many-wonderful-books-to-write-and-not-enough-hours-in-the-day-an/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Money doesn't spend in hell… The devil deals in a different coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/money-doesn-t-spend-in-hell-the-devil-deals-in-a-different-coin/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [There comes a point when you either embrace who and what you are, or condemn yourself to be miserable all your days. Other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/there-comes-a-point-when-you-either-embrace-who-and-what-you-are-or/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“I slowed, just a little, one to save energy, and one to let Russell catch up sooner. I took a big breath and prepared.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-slowed-just-a-little-one-to-save-energy-and-one-to-let-russell/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“It wasn't just my beast's hunger, but Jean-Claude's blood thirst and Richard's craving for flesh. It was all that and the ardeur running through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/it-wasn-t-just-my-beast-s-hunger-but-jean-claude-s-blood-thirst-and/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I know that look, Blake. You are a drowning woman, and the only way out is down the aisle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-know-that-look-blake-you-are-a-drowning-woman-and-the-only-way-out/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“Just another day in my life. This was one of those days when I thought that maybe a new life, a different life, wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/just-another-day-in-my-life-this-was-one-of-those-days-when-i-thought/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“What is that old children’s rhyme, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’? Anyone who says that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/what-is-that-old-children-s-rhyme-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [...you don't need ghosts to be haunted. Memory does that just fine without any supernatural help at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/you-don-t-need-ghosts-to-be-haunted-memory-does-that-just-fine/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I hated missing the end of anything. I was always convinced that the bit I'd miss would be the best part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-hated-missing-the-end-of-anything-i-was-always-convinced-that-the/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He made a small sigh, as he swallowed the first blood, then his mouth closed over my earlobe, mouth working at the wound, tongue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-made-a-small-sigh-as-he-swallowed-the-first-blood-then-his-mouth/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He gave a small nod, and I smiled back, and that was it. He understood that I'd understood that he'd understood. It took us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-gave-a-small-nod-and-i-smiled-back-and-that-was-it-he-understood/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [ \[T\]hese last few days where I've moped around damn near depressed for real, because of people who do not exist. Not really. I can… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/t-hese-last-few-days-where-i-ve-moped-around-damn-near-depressed-for/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) [Explore all 921 Laurell K. Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## More Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. 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