Manipulation or Creativity?

I’m struggling along with Book 3,  manipulating plots and running my characters through various emotional/physical guantlets because, hey, I’m a writer.  Being a Master of Pain (physcial, emotional, slight or devasting) is in our DNA.  So here’s my question for the week…as writers or creators (depending on your POV) are you manipulating your characters to get what you want or are the manipulating you?  And is manipulation the right word or is it another aspect of creativity?

I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m a complete pantser–I shuddered at the concept of an outline, but I do have to have major plot points like massive “You are going in the right direction” signposts.  Here’s the probelm…the journey between signposts can be a well delinated path or a big black hole of chaos.  I’ve found over the years that I’m a character driven writer–they are the ones who direct the story, drive the plots and are the basis for the horrific twists and turns they encounter.  My characters do not always like me and I’m pretty sure both Raine and Xander have a photo of me somwhere where in they practice various throwing skills with lethally sharp implements.  I’m okay with that (most of the time) but sometimes I think they get their own back by jerking me around on a creative leash. 

I shouldn’t complain, because I love writing my stories.  But some days it makes me want to pull out my hair and chase them down with my own sharp pointy weapon (a huge fountain pen dipped in red!). 

My point to ponder this week: who’s manipulating who in the creative process and is it really such a bad thing?