Goodbye Ethan

I am in the process of revising my novel, but have found myself stuck. The first eight chapters were easy to rewrite. I knew what I needed to add, delete and change. But now I've hit the part where Ethan, a secondary character, was involved in my main character's life. He needs to go. He does nothing to support the plot. But how do I leave him out?

In real life, I have trouble with goodbyes. I cling to people until all hope is gone. I am doing that with my novel. I guess it's good that I can see that, because now I can remedy it. Ethan was a character that I thought I needed, but he does nothing except detract from the REAL story. He could be a subplot, but I can use other, better defined characters to accomplish the same thing.

So, even though my soul is cringing, it is time for us to part, dear Ethan. I will always remember you, even if your name is no longer in print. You were good to me, but now it is time I let go.

Goodbye Ethan, good bye!