How Well Do you know your Characters?

I hit a milestone yesterday. I finished the first draft of Baby Stetson, a contemporary romance.  The book comes in at just over 96,000 words. As i reflect on my thoughts of the story, and how it differs from how it's written, I wonder, how well do you know your characters? How much do they change and grow from how you originally created them during your writing process?

For instance-

There's a character in Baby Stetson that I hadn't planned on making him a 'good guy'  He's Avery's ex, and you'll meet him in the beginning of the book, but it turns out that I happened to like Jameson, and I didn't want him to be a bad character. He changed my mind. Now, Jameson will get his own story in the next Love and Music In Texas book.  Funny thing with that is, I'd had the heroine's story planned out for that book, although at the time, I didn't plan it to be a series, but now I want that heroine, her name is Melody, to be paired up with Jameson. It's perfect!  You'll even get to catch up with Avery and Lucas, and there will be some big happenings with the band.

I'd say Jameson was my biggest surprise, but he wasn't the only one.  There's a few others that surprised me with they way they turned out, but it worked out for the best.

I've also noticed that my last two heroes, Lucas and Jacob from The Secret Santa Wishing well, are both very jaded. I loved helping them come alive just by finding love.   And yes, fans of Jacob, Cheyenne, Ben and Desi will get to catch up on their lives too, as this summer I'll start writing Robin's story, and will of course include Cheyenne and Jacob's wedding.

Can I just say I love being a writer? Well, I just did say it, lol. But I do! I love creating stories of love and life, and yes, I cry and laugh and get angry right along with my characters. It feels great.

So tell me, how have characters surprised you in your books?  How much do you let them run away from your own idea and make their own?