John (with apologies to Duck Amuck).

John was walking down the street when he first heard the voice.

"WALKING DOWN THE STREET?" UGH. LET'S TRY AGAIN.

Stephanie looked around. Hadn't she just been John?

GREAT, A HOOK. WE CAN DOLE OUT INFORMATION AT A MORE MEASURED PACE FROM HERE.

"Who are you?" she asked with confusion.

LET'S PUNCH THAT UP A BIT.

"Who's talking right now?" Stephanie asked. Were they changing what she said?

OK, TIME FOR A SECOND CHARACTER. SHE'S TOO IN HER HEAD RIGHT NOW.

"Wait!" Stephanie interjected. "You're the author, right? That makes me your character?"

WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH THIS? THIS IDEA IS PRETTY THIN, EVEN FOR ME.

"We could collaborate!" Stephanie said. "Maybe you're the second character? We could team up!"

BUT I CONTROL YOU. WATCH, I CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND.

Stephanie realized she was pitching ideas to God. Why would she even bother? "You've got me there. I wish I still wanted to work with you, though. I miss feeling that way. Could you change my mind back?"

SURE.

"See?" she replied triumphantly. "You created my character, and my character thinks differently from you even though I'm just a personality in your imagination. For example, if you picture a tranquil lake-"

I'VE GOT TO BREAK MY HABIT OF WRITING LONG EXPOSITORY MONOLOGUES. NOT EVERY CONCEPT NEEDS A BUNCH OF EXAMPLES.

"-you can do whatever you want with me! Like, I don't even miss being John or walking on the street or whatever. Why did you even create me if not to experiment with?"

GOOD POINT. MAYBE YOU SHOULD STAY IN DRAFTS WITH SCHRODINGERIAN SOLIPSISM AND METAONTOLOGY.

"Or you could give me godlike powers and see what I do..."