You're going to think I'm crazy.

And you might not be wrong, at that.

I have a message for one of my favorite characters in my off-season project, Karach Jadorre, and for my not-quite-finished NaNo, State of Affairs.

Karach first.

You have dark hair. You have blue eyes. You are of noble descent. You have common sense. You're not short. (Okay, maybe you are. You just don't have a temper about it.) You are an only child. You do not work under a guy who can snap his fingers and create a flame. Your only supernatural gift is a highly passive one. You do not run around wearing a red coat with an alchemic crest of long tradition emblazoned on the back. You still have all your limbs. Your mother isn't dead. (Wait...scratch that. Your mother didn't die when you were ten, how about that?)

In conclusion: You are not Edward Elric. So stop trying to be. You're acting like a poser. Stop it. You're a lot smarter and cooler than he is and you're destined for greater things. No, I'm not going to kill you. I like you too much. That still doesn't give you license to act like an anime character of short stature and choleric temper. Thanks. You're a doll.

Now for my so-called novel.

For a month of my life, I put aside everything for you. I wrote more than eleven thousand words in a day, twice, for you. I am still just now trying to end you before the LuLu offer runs out. And I come to you, on my authorial knees, begging you to let me end you. And what do you say to me?

"Okay, but I want a sequel."

Well, I think I know what I'm writing for NaNo next year, let's say that. I wonder how early I can kill Averi off, because she really has no personality...and I'm sure that Kalla, Kemiira, and Giovanna will sneak themselves in there somewhere. Shoot, Giovanna already exists in this world...

Such is the burden of a writer.