And the characters shall lead

Hit a point where a thing needs to be figured out before I can write the next bit.

Been here so, so many times before. I can spend days/weeks trying to nail down exactly what a thing is, or how to do a certain task, or achieve a key goal. So much time can be lost.

This morning a strange notion occurred. Instead of mapping out the method - what if I just put the characters in the scene and watch what they do? See if something happens.

And it did.

Suddenly I’m merely recording what they do - an observer taking notes. Does it need editing - oh yes. Can a few things be improved - definitely. But this elusive thing that must be nailed down was nailed down - by the characters themselves.

So how much time have I wasted trying to do it alone?