Letting Go

As I sit here, waiting another 30 minutes or so before I have to go to work, (and, by the way, I really don't wanna) I can't help but reminisce over a certain series of characters I've been writing since 2010.

It occurred to me a few months ago that, once I finish these last two projects, (one of them being a short story collection, and the other being the final part of the core trilogy) I'll be done with these characters. And, even though I'm more excited right now than I've been for this series since the beginning, I'm also sad. Once I type the last paragraph, and whoever might be left alive have their stories closed, that's it; I'll never see these guys again. I love every one of these crazy, dark, sometimes foul-mouthed, tortured people. Saying goodbye to this group is going to be the single hardest thing I've ever had to do as a writer, I think.

But, I digress. The main question I have here goes out to all my writer friends specifically: Have you ever found it so hard to let go of a cast of characters after living with them for an extended period? Maybe even to the point where you considered purposely extending your story or series so you can keep them around, even though it's past their time? And if so, why?

For me, I know I'll be able to let go of Avice, Destiny, Terrence, Nadia, Gideon, Gabriel and Vlad. But, I also know it's going to be like sacrificing my firstborn. Yes, even the sick, twisted little Gabriel is going to be missed on some level. (And yes, guys. He'll be back in book 3. Bwahahahahahahahaha!)

It's strange, this feeling of excitement for new things, coupled with a sense of loss over these good friends I've gotten to know over the last four years. I've never had this kind of attachment to the characters I've written, and maybe that's precisely why this series has gone as far as it has. I've created characters that people both love and hate, depending on who you talk to. And it's always a strong reaction on either side, never in-between, and I love that.

So, again, to my writing friends:

Have you ever had a hard time letting go of a character or setting?

Have you ever tried to draw a story or series out (or thought about doing so) just to keep your darlings around?

For you, what makes a character/setting get to that point, in your eyes?

Looking forward to seeing what sort of responses I get from this.