The “Darlings” and how to deal with them
-- A look at the work of Bill "McSciFi" McCormick
There’s a phrase writers and many editors use: “Killing Your Darlings”. This doesn’t refer to actual violent acts though it might seem that way. If I were to take my characters point of view it might indeed be heartless and violent.
What the term refers to is objective editing paired with a lot of self-reflection. It’s an act of paring down passages and even characters that serve no real purpose in any given story. For a 90% pantser like myself it can even be heartbreaking because they are my own creations or “darlings”.
When I write a story, I have a very, very loose outline. As I write certain passages characters leap out at me from the screen like folks waving at me from a random crowd. They shout “Notice me. Write about me here. I’m actually important. I’m the basis for even more adventures through the cosmos of creativity.”
It can get out of hand. When it does an author needs to take a step back. This is where they “kill the darlings”.
I write differently. I usually have a meaningful conversation with said character that goes like this. “Ok, you are a good idea – no, you are a great idea and you have a lot of promise. I can see you are important in my story line but I’d rather you step back a minute and I’ll work something out for you later.”
This week as I extended the ending scene of the first story in the “timeless” universe, “The Caretaker” I had to have this conversation with a couple characters. They weren’t named in the first or second version of the book, but as I now intend to write more “timeless” stories putting them in with a cameo each made sense.
Without a spoiler, there’s a ritual near the end that completely blows the main character away. The scene was there before, but it was minimally described and written off as “magic”. After much thought, I realized I could do better. In the moonlit scene at the end of the story, elders and townspeople have assembled to watch. One is a woman who will later have her own story in “Film at Eleven”. Another is a man who looks like a swashbuckler but is an integral part of the magical rite. I’m just beginning to think of his story but instantly knew his connection with existing characters. There’s a ghost from another story.
You can see the problem. I wanted to have two dozen or more people attending but didn’t want them buzzing about like bees and didn’t want them standing around either.
So it came down to the woman didn’t have to be given a role. She could just be a “red-haired woman with black eyes” seen in the crowd with other unusual folks. Dropping her entirely wouldn’t work because in her timeline there’s no reason she wouldn’t be there. The swashbuckler has a function but once he completes his act, he can leave.
So the three extras there and I came to an agreement. They didn’t have to meet a writerly end. They just needed to wait for their own story…and there will be a story or two or as many as I can put together.
My guest this week is
Bill McCormick
Aka Bill McSciFi
Bill “McSciFi” McCormick is an award-winning and critically acclaimed science fiction author, publisher, and raconteur celebrated for his vivid storytelling and unique blend of sci-fi, humor, and social commentary. Known affectionately by fans as “McSciFi,” Bill has carved a niche in speculative fiction with works that challenge conventional narratives while exploring complex characters and futuristic worlds.
His bibliography includes standout titles such as The Brittle Riders trilogy, a post-apocalyptic saga hailed for its originality and depth, and Goptri of the Mists, which captures his trademark mix of wit and world-building. Beyond his novels, Bill contributes to comics and graphic novels, such as Legends Parallel, Bob: Sins of the Son, and Alokia the Kaiju Hunter, bringing his creative voice to dynamic visual storytelling. Here’s the blog and link for his trilogy “ The Brittle Riders”
The Brittle Riders: Trilogy
by Bill McCormick (Author)
https://www.amazon.com/Brittle-Riders-Trilogy-Bill-McCormick-ebook/dp/B085PR3JTR
A brilliant man hosted a party. It was such a good party that it culminated in the death of all humanity. That story is boring and oft-told. This is not that story. This is the story of what happened next. The Brittle Riders, apocalypses are funny that way. Book I Edward Q. Rohta was a brilliant scientist who created multiple species of slave labor. Furious at being persistently abused, they revolted. After the death of every man, woman, and child on the planet, things get a little weird. Book II Terror marches ever closer. Our heroes find themselves joined by new allies while facing frightening enemies. No matter the winner the result may be genocide. Book III Something still lives. Something that could render Arreti a wasteland. This final threat is making its push for world domination. Who will save our heroes? Who will buy them booze? Which question is more important? Apocalypses are funny that way.
A tireless advocate for indie publishing and creative collaboration, Bill frequently appears at conventions, panels, and events, sharing insights and connecting with fans. When he’s not crafting new tales, he’s an active force in the literary and entertainment communities, blending his passion for sci-fi with a commitment to fostering emerging talent.
Let me tell you about the advocacy! Bill volunteered to be an ARC reader for my “timeless” novella “A Man in The Dark” and wrote an awesome review. I’ve been in awe of his little videos for advertising. He says he’ll show me how which would indeed be a miracle if I could make such a video but I’d definitely revisiting that offer and will credit him for sure if I accomplish something.
With a knack for weaving humor and humanity into high-concept stories, Bill “McSciFi” McCormick continues to captivate audiences, leaving a lasting mark on the science fiction landscape.
Bill is a big fan of music, silver tequila, and this purple-haired goddess who married him despite being old enough to know better.
instagram.com · twitter.com · billmcscifi.com
https://www.facebook.com/BillMcSciFiMcCormick
https://billmcscifi.com/video.html
What’s next? Take a look!
Next week: June Burgo
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-R.-Woldering/author/B00OND7QMU
Children of Stone Series - Historical Fantasy set in Pyramid Builder Egypt (4th and 5th Dynasties) Magic, gods, kings, shape-shifting priests, immortals, demons and many things not of this world in a fight to save mankind from corruption!
Bk 1 Voices in Crystal
Bk 2 Going Forth By Day
Bk 3 Opener of the Sky
Bk 4 Heart of the Lotus
Bk 5 The Lake of Memory
And 11 short stories and novellas in contemporary or almost contemporary settings.
“Ana’s Dream of Flying” A young girl’s spiritual awakening through her art. (There’s a dragon)
“Raemkai’s Stairs” A tango between three ghosts in a haunted house
“The Changeling Princess” A retold Snow White story
“The Green Cabinet Door” about portals and Roman Guardians
“Night Route” A spooky tale of a bus driver’s new job
“Miss Hattie and the Hoppers” A gaslamp/time travel romp
“The Figment” A contemporary paranormal romance
“The Caretaker”A sapphic dark fantasy of love beyond death
“The Secret Grove” A woman recalls how she fell for a fae prince at summer camp. Turns out her heartthrob was much more than meets the eye. A romp with the god of party and healing of childhood wounds
“The Mouse of Ethan Getz”A Monkey’s Paw type lesson
“A Man in the Dark” A mysterious story of love, lust, racism, revenge, family honor the deep south, the Great Depression – vampires and Nazis with a noir edge
And active anthology 2025 Ghostly Rites Anthology.
containing “Memorati” A woman’s discovery of a terrifying BUT buried history
The latest Kaleidoscope Hearts, Volume 8 containing the “Timeless” universe prequel “From the Sea”
More on all these later. Be sure to check the box and share these posts.
Thanks in advance!
linktr.ee/crazeeferret
