Strange Business.

This novel-writing is a strange business. As I've mentioned before, I've got a general outline of the story - or or two sentence descriptions of sections of the story. So, when I get to a new section, I re-read the last page or so that I've written, then read the next part of my general outline. It's helping me stay on target and not drift off into something that isn't a story. Also, after I read over the stuff for the next section, I realize I don't know how to start it. I've come to the realization that trying to force it doesn't work. Better to take a 15 minute break, then come back. So far, I've always known how to start the next section when I returned. This is strange because, I don't think about the story or anything related to it during my break. It's like my brain has just said, "I'm sorry, I'm not quite ready for you. Could you just give me 10 minutes, and then bring your hands back? Thanks." The other thing that kind of freaked me out was when I started to write the scene where Stan calls his daughter, Miranda. They were supposed to have this discussion about souls - what they are, and why we might think so. But when I wrote Stan calling Miranda, her room mate answered. Miranda wasn't home. I'm sorry, who answered? When did Miranda get a roommate? And quite a flake, too, by the sound of her on the phone. And what did she mean, Miranda wasn't home. OF COURSE SHE WAS HOME! I'd know, wouldn't I? I mean, after all, I am the author! But it wasn't to be. And Miranda's room mate had far better ideas on the topic than Miranda would have. Then, when Miranda called back, Stan was able to discus the topic from a more useful direction. Freaked me out though. Now I know what they mean about having to wrest control back from your characters. A strange business this is.