Bakasi, Morgana, and Terry, thank you for confirming for me that I'm not alone in my struggles with characters.
Bakasi, I have also gradually learned (and am still learning) to let my characters have a greater say in what they will do.
Morgana, I hope you and your characters can find a path that works for you all.
Terry, I asked my muse (Thalia) if she would help me write such a book. She just laughed in my face.
Joy,
Lynn