The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.
Characters make their own plot. The dimensions of the characters determine the action of the novel.
Mutual defiance made them alike.
My objectives are very limited. I want to do the best I can with the talent God gave me. I hope to goodness that every novel I do gets better and better, not worse and worse.
...but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.
Where are your pants, son?