I’m doing so well getting my first draft done on MY SWEET THIEF. The climax loomed before me, my heroine has to make a hellish decision, and what happens? In strides this arrogant Englishman who proceeds to tell me that he is supposed to be in this scene.

Er, I don’t think so. I ignore him and keep writing. There isn’t an Englishman in this book. But I promise him I’ll write his story one day.

This dude has zero patience and keeps barging into my head. (Yes, many writers are crazy that way) He insists that he is a major character in MST, and that he’s the hero in the third story of my Born in a Brothel series.

Ok, so that gets my attention.

I finally cut a deal with Mr. Know-it-all. I’ll write him into this one scene, and if he can prove to me that his presence is crucial and the scene works in a big way, I’ll make the necessary changes from the beginning to include his fine arrogant behind. Since I’ve been lured off course by characters behaving badly before, I’m wary of doing so now and screwing up. But I figure the little time I spend writing this one scene will at least go into the Englishman’s file.

After writing it, I’m the red-faced one. The Englishman is right–he’s just been sulking for 340 pages, waiting for the time to walk on stage. Yes, he’s one of those who likes to make an appearance. Methinks he has major control issues too.

Fine. He won this round, but I get to pick his heroine, and if he thought I was difficult to bend to his will, he ain’t seen nothing yet. 🙂