In Waiting

What happens to characters waiting to be written?

Anna is waiting. She's fully developed. She has personality, depth, a supporting cast—she even has a cat. But Anna has been stuck here for years, watching far lesser characters get called into their own stories.

James is new. He's still taking shape. His backstory and motivation are changing every day. But James is so detailed, so crisp—so beautifully written—he must be destined for something great...He might even be a main character.

They both...