We have that illusion that we are 'deciding' what to make a character do, in order to 'convey our message' or something like that. But, at least in my experience, you are often more like a river-rafting guide who's been paid a bonus to purposely steer your clients into the roughest possible water.

Summary

This quote implies that as writers, we may wrongly believe that we have complete control over our characters' actions and the message we want to convey. However, the quote suggests that the creative process is not always as intentional as it seems. Instead, it compares the writer's role to that of a river-rafting guide who is purposely leading their clients into treacherous waters. This suggests that sometimes the characters and their decisions take charge, guiding the story in unexpected directions rather than conforming strictly to the writer's predetermined plan.

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