Plus, it just seemed for me like that would be the logical thing for someone like Malefica to do. That’s what I would do if I was an ubervillain whose enemy had just been exposed — put on a diguise and go off him during business hours. No mess, no fuss, just down to business. And if I could blame it on someone else, all the better to protect *my* cover.

I don’t *hate* Angel. I just always liked Spike a lot better for this reason — he actually *tried* to be good when he didn’t have a soul. Angel did not. He just gave into his soulless nature. To me, Spike was always stronger for that reason alone.

Plus, I just think there comes a point in the story where people are beating themselves up just to beat themselves up. Sure, you’re a blooduscking vampire. Sure, you rained destruction down on the world for hundreds of years. Sure, you killed lots of people.

But you’re trying to make up for it now. You’re doing good things now. So, find what joy you can in life, and lighten up a little bit. And seriously, isn’t it exhausting to be so dark and brooding all the time? I loved Batman Begins, but there were points where I wanted to scream to Christian Bale — Have a drink! Crack a smile every once in a while! Kiss the girl!

Many of the best characters are trying to make up for their pasts. Angel, a character I know you dislike, is a perfect example of someone that is driven by their past. His whole purpose is trying to find forgiveness when no forgiveness is to be found.

But you’re right. Sometimes, the words come easier than other times. 😕

Edie, I didn’t say they were *good* words. If I’m stuck in a scene, I will write something like “And then stuff happens,” and push on to the next scene. I just try to get the words out (about 40,000 of them) in a rough draft and then think about revisions and editing.

I just like to see if something’s there and if it’s going to work. That’s why I crank out so many words so quickly. 😎

I’m jealous that you can write 20K words so quickly!