so some stuff I've written will need to be scrapped.
Maybe you could post the cut scenes here eventually (= when there's no danger of spoiling book 4or 5 anymore)?

and I still have recurring "I've just written 5,000 words of crap" feelings.
If so, I'm confident you'll catch it in the edditing round. Most likely it's much better than you think, though.

And yes, they all look about 18 to me now ... except for Constance and Forbearance who may be closer to 30. David looks really good like this, though.