Q & A with author Mark P.J. Nadon
Q: “Do your characters ever surprise you as you write them?”
A: Absolutely! Even when I outline a novel and feel like I’ve got my characters figured out, they always find ways to surprise me. They pick up unexpected habits, make unplanned decisions, and sometimes take the story in directions I hadn’t considered. That’s the magic of writing—it’s like watching a familiar movie, only the characters do something entirely new. I don’t feel like I truly know a character until I’ve worked through a few drafts.
Here are a few examples (Spoiler alert!):
- In The Genesis Project, Colonel Marks wasn’t originally tied to the corruption—it was all David’s doing. But as I explored their backstories, it became clear that Marks was a better fit for the role. This change made David’s character arc even richer, which I loved exploring in my upcoming novella, Cognitive Breach (coming February 15, 2025).
- In The Collective, Mira’s mood swings weren’t in the earlier drafts. As I worked on the sequel, I realized her emotional instability was critical to her character and would play a significant role in book two.
- In Monsoon Rendezvous, Elijah began as a minor distraction—a pedophile who appeared briefly. But as I wrote, layers emerged that made him integral to the story. Instead of just one scene, he wove in and out of the narrative, creating a more complex character.
I love these surprises—they’re part of what makes writing so exciting for me!
Curious about other Q & A’s?
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Unmasking the origins of The Collective
Genre-Hopping: Confessions of a Restless Thriller Writer