I haven't seen this discussed anywhere, and I wonder what other writers do when confronted with the same problem.
I let characters build themselves into people. Once I know who they are by writing about them, they take over and dictate what they're most likely to do in a given situation.
Unfortunately, they're still a part of my own head, the little parasites - so when my brain isn't functioning normally, they don't either.
I've been stressed out recently, and my protagonist has apparently become very placid as a result. Perhaps it's because I'm afraid to leak melodrama all over the page...? I don't know.
It brings to mind a more general problem: how the hell do I make my characters consistent? Outside editing helps, sure. My mood will change, OK. Some people write via character sheet, yup. (Although when I do this it results in mannequins that talk, rather than believable characters.)
How do you do it? The best solution I've come up with is to write the way I normally do and then brainstorm with a friend if they spot a problem (which is basically my solution to everything). Is there a better way?
What do other writers think about character sheets? Do they help with maintaining believable characters, or are they just there for continuity's sake?
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