There were two things going on: 1) I had already established in my own mind where I wanted to go with the next series and having James around as a Grey Eminence would have complicated matters. He had had an amazing life and it was time to bid him good-bye.
I can look back at stuff I wrote in my early days and squirm at some of the mistakes I made. But we're all learning every day we never stop. I just hope people keep on liking what I do. That gives me such a kick.