From LKH's blog:

But I promised Anita that if she truly cared about someone they'd survive. I know why I made the promise to her; my mother's death when I was six. To say it scarred me is an understatement. So I promised Anita something I cannot promise myself. How was I to know that she would fall in love with so bloody many men? I was planning on monogamy for her when I made the promise. Who knows, maybe her interest in so many of the other characters is my subconscious's way of keeping everyone safe? Maybe. But Merry is pressing for the same promise. I don't think I can give it. I fear for some of the men in this, the last few scenes. She's fighting me, and I can't argue with her. I feel that it is wrong, if I can stop it, if I can save them all, why not? Why not?

A woman at the St. Louis signing for MICAH asked when I was going to kill someone off in one of the series. She didn't care who, just someone. She felt that the characters weren't in true jeopardy anymore. I'd been wondering the same thing myself for a little while. But who would I sacrifice to make my fictional world more believable? No one. I hold them all precious. Admittedly, eventually, Cel is going to have to die in the Merry series. I just don't see her as every being safe while he lives. But that's books away, and I don't care about Cel, not in that way. If Merry's series is not 'real' enough for some of the readers is that a good enough reason to pick someone to kill off? No. But what I fear is that the plot itself, of its own weight, is leading us to the loss. It's that fear that keeps Merry reluctant, and my feelings of guilt that help her win the argument. Can we get through this last scene with everyone intact, and should we? I don't know anymore; I just don't know.

You know, if LKH had any online friends, they'd be telling her "Just walk away from the badfic, honey. Try writing something else for awhile."

That is just too, too funny.

It's so true. She sounds exactly like an overly indulgent fic writer.

She felt that the characters weren't in true jeopardy anymore. I'd been wondering the same thing myself for a little while. But who would I sacrifice to make my fictional world more believable? No one. I hold them all precious.

Sweet Zombie Jesus! What is it with the insane over-identification with the vampire writer ladies? I can't even grasp that kind of egotism. It's like selling your soul for mediocrity. Or less.

the ardeur... six of one. I think everybody starts out thinking about writing and their characters that way but I was taught that it was a rookie mistake. I used to do it BDS.(Before David Simon) Now, well, it sucks but people die. I can deal with that more easily than the thought that someone I admire would think I write like a punk.

You know, if LKH had any online friends, they'd be telling her "Just walk away from the badfic, honey.

If she had any friends, they'd be telling her to take her meds. The early Anita Blake books must have been written before the voices started talking to her.

I've begun wondering if Obsidian Butterfly was ghost written.

you know, connie you have a point. or she has some weird issue with sex. -- As long as she can't write about it , she does a decent story. As soon as she adds the sex- goodbye story.

she has some weird issue with sex

Well, I think we all know that's true.

The comparison to an overwrought ficcer is ever more appropriate.