The Character on Page 164 Has Notes

Editor: 'Page 164, your protagonist says life is meaningless.'

'Yes, his darkest moment. Very deep.'

'Right. Well, your protagonist then addresses you directly. Page 165, new paragraph, he says: so is this chapter. Cut it. And while you're at it, cut the love interest. She's boring. I've been carrying this novel since page 40 and I'm tired.'

'I... didn't write that.'

'He knows.'