When Characters Refuse to Behave

There’s a time in almost every psychological thriller I write when a character simply refuses to cooperate.

I’ll sit down at my desk with a clear plan. I know what the scene is meant to achieve, what secrets need to be hinted at, where the tension should build. And then… the character tells me they want to do something unexpected. Something that’s not in my chapter plan.

This isn’t surprising. In real life, people are often illogical. We hide uncomfortable truths, both from others and from ourselves. That messy emotional reality is exactly what makes psychological thrillers such fun. But it also means that fictional characters can, and often do, develop a will of their own. They’re telling me that the scene I’d planned could be better, stronger, if I change the script.

Some of my favourite twists in my novels have come from moments like this — when I stopped forcing the story along its pre-planned track and instead followed where the character was leading me. After all, the most unsettling thrillers aren’t just about shocking events. They’re about people making choices we can hardly fathom… even when we wish we could.

Right now, as I work on my current manuscript, I’m once again negotiating with a particularly stubborn character, my antagonist. Where this will lead, I don’t know. I suspect they’re hiding something significant. Whether they’ll reveal it on their own terms or mine remains to be seen.

‘Unlocked Lies’ is undergoing revision and editing, with a publication date yet to be determined, but probably summer 2026. Watch this space!

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