Not Nathan Marchand. From imdb
by Nathan Marchand
December 13, 2013
I’m not a father; I don’t have any children. However, I have many brainchildren, including the characters of my first CotW novella, The Fall of the House of Kyzer. For writers, their creations are like kids. They don’t like being told they’re “ugly” (i.e. bad) and they’re quick to defend and protect them. Some also may be hard-pressed to choose which their favorite is.
While I’ve worked on serialized fiction before with many of the people on this saga’s creative team, I’ve re-learned in the last few months that, like a father does when his kids get married, I have to “let go” of my “children” and entrust them to other people. For the last month, John Bahler has been continuing Jaysynn’s story in The Rules Change, and while I love this story, he’s done things with Jaysynn I may have not done—or things I’d have rather done myself. Torture Jaysynn? That’s my job! (Ever wonder if writers are closet sadists, considering how much they abuse their characters?)
I can also say, cryptically, that another character I created will be killed in a future story. I was a bit shocked when I read that outline. The “murderer” shall remain anonymous (though his last name is one letter off from the name of a famous Austrian composer). I think I may have gone through the five stages of grief in five seconds.
Now in a weird way I know how Steve Martin’s character felt in Father of the Bride. I guess this is a warm-up for when my future kids get married.
I’ll probably write Jaysynn again sometime. Until then, I have to trust that other writers will do right by him. Some will torture him; some will take him to new heights. My partners-in-crime here at CotW are all talented writers, so I know he’s in good hands.
Just don’t kill him—I reserve that right!
Don't miss a single word of stories as they are published! You'll also receive first notice of special sales and behind-the-scenes information.
