It's funny how we personify our characters into living, breathing creatures that drive their own destinies. From a purely technical, literal standpoint, it turns out that my combination of plot, setting(s), character personalities, motivations and backgrounds simply don't make sense. For whatever reasons, the story elements I initially devised could not possibly be. So I brainstorm how it could have happened, and, voila, my characters are telling me how it really is. It's the process that breathes life into our characters and stories. Next thing I know, my entirely ethical and dutiful character actually has a dark and corrupt past. I'm just glad I'm figuring it all out now, and not on Nov. 18th when I realize, crap, that character couldn't possibly have known the purpose of the dragon artifacts before she stole them. Imagine fixing it at that point!!

Regards,
Michelle