Because Andy Said So

Me: Chapter 9! That ending! OMG! I feel sick! Chapter 9: Um... Sorry? Me: NO! In a good way! That was a punch in the gut, but I loved it! Chapter 9: Oh. Are you sure that's healthy? I could try to be nicer. I probably should do that... Me: Don't you DARE!

Me: Hey, Act II! How are you feeling? Act II: Dunno. Kinda like my outline is less like an outline and more like of a bunch of notes? Like, you know? Me: I mean, that's sort of what an outline is, really. Act II: Yeah, but like... I dunno. I think I'd like more notes? Cause like now they're like really vague? And like you're already adding stuff? And, like, I'd like to know what's coming. Me: Yeah, okay, that's fair. Tell you what, tomorrow we'll sit down and have a talk about your goals. Does that sound good? Act II: Dunno. I guess, like, sure, we can try that.

Me: Act I, 19831 words. That's almost exactly 20k! Act I: Is it bad that I'm under? Me: No. You're great. Act I: But there are those things in the outline that I didn't get around to doing. And things my chapters inserted without permission. Me: You worry too much. I like the additions. And the other things will either get cut or be part of Act II. There's a reason I didn't outline it before you were complete. Act I: So you don't want me to yell at Chapter 6 for you? She totally went off on a tangent. Me: It was going to happen anyway. It just happens sooner now. I think that'll actually work better in terms of reader engagement. And her ending was amazing, even if I'm a bit biased. Act I: Okay. So I'll just bugger off then? Me: Yeah. But don't go too far. I'll be calling you up again come revision time. Binge some shows or something. You deserve some you time.

Me: Hi, Chapter 5! How are you feeling? Chapter 5: Shrug. Me: Did you just say, "Shrug?" rather than actually shrugging? Chapter 5: Shrug. Me: Okay... So Chapter 4 thought you might be upset at taking some of her content. Chapter 5: She's so drama. I don't care. As I see it, all you want from me is one scene because she did the rest of the work. Why would it upset me to do less work? Me: So we're good? Chapter 5: Sure. Can I go now? Want me to tell Chapter 6 she's up? Me: Yeah, great. Thanks.

Me: So, Chapter 4... You seem a bit dramatic. Chapter 4: Me personally or my content? Me: Both? I've noticed your bickering with Chapter 3. Chapter 4: We'll, it's just really unfair that SHE got to have all that extra content but you're going to be mad at me being nearly 6k. I would have been less if SHE had stuck to the plan rather than leaving me to catch us up to speed. Me: I'm not mad at you. Chapter 4: You aren't? Me: No. I am going give half your content to Chapter 5, because you do contain too much. But I'm not mad at you. You explored more than expected, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Chapter 4: Oh. Alright then. Although... Have you told Chapter 5? Me: Not yet. Ch4: Then you haven't seen drama yet.