Crazy Realities of Writing

Earlier, I wrote a post on common misconceptions regarding writing. Today, we'll explore some of the mind-blowing things that occur when one takes on the task of writing. (Especially in fantasy or sci-fi stories.)

1. After doing some world-building and adding stuff, new characters come in saying, "Hey, what about us?" Then they proceed to bug you about being incorporated into the setting, until you finally consent.
2. During said world-building task, telling some characters, "Sure, you can live here." Then being confronted by them soon afterward. "Hey, you know how you said we could be here? And you know how the main character is already in this region?" And now you have pretty much have to start over on developing that setting.
3. When your characters take your preexisting knowledge or way of doing things, set it on fire, then give you a giant to-do list and some new rules.
   
4. Having really loud and demanding characters who continuously yell at you for being behind in world-building, naming characters, and other things you haven't got around to doing yet.
5. When some of your characters haven't complained, and that almost worries you, because you're certain that sooner or later, the complaints will come. And when they do, it could be huge.
6. When characters settle somewhere you didn't want them to, so you threaten to draw new lands on the map and evict them. They can live over there, away from the spot you explicitly told them they couldn't have.
7. Telling your characters that they can't do something, then being blatantly ignored.
8. Wondering if you're just a doormat for your characters, because it often feels like they're running the show and you're just along for the ride. And you have no power over what goes on half the time.
   
9. Planning for your characters to have a very productive meeting, but they get into a big argument instead.
10. Discovering that their deviation from the plan, and the events that followed, actually served the plot better.
11. Arguing with your characters about what they can have on their kingdoms' emblems.
12. Accusing your characters of tricking you, because you told them "yes" about something, in complete ignorance of what this decision really entails.
13. Your characters say that this real-world legend could be important in your world-building, then ask what you know about it. Your answer is so resoundingly horrible, filled with inaccuracies and vague descriptions like "And there was this one guy, but I don't know what he did, and this happened somehow..." that they start beating their heads against the table. And at the grand finale, some of them rise from their seats, seize you, and put your head through a wall.
14. While doing research for your story, you come across an obscure instrument that looks interesting. You go on YouTube to find out what it sounds like, go down a rabbit hole, and now you're addicted to Celtic music.
    
15. You call for a minor character, just for the short time your protagonist is in this area. Someone then waltzes in and gives you a giant backstory, so you'll have to write more about that character.