"Once he became a series character, I made the conscious choice that he would never act like a series character, never wink at the reader, never pull his punches. Better for him, better for me"

Donald E. Westlake's quote shows a dedication to authenticity and consistency in character advancement, particularly within the context of crafting a series character. When Westlake says, "Once he ended up being a series character, I made the mindful option that he would never ever act like a series character", he is expressing an intentional decision to prevent the clichés and predictability that can in some cases afflict characters who appear in multiple books or stories. Instead of allowing the character to end up being self-aware, predictable, or formulaic, he intends to maintain the integrity and validity of his actions and decisions.

The concept of not permitting the character to "wink at the reader" recommends that Westlake is avoiding breaking the 4th wall or participating in meta-fictional commentary that may undermine the story's immersive quality. The character stays grounded within the imaginary world, not betraying its truth by acknowledging their role as a fictional entity within a series.

"Never pull his punches" indicates that Westlake desires the character to stay real to himself in terms of taking dangers and facing difficulties head-on. This technique preserves the unpredictability and stress important to engaging storytelling, making sure that the character's advancement and the narrative arc stay compelling and vibrant. It also boosts the readers' experience, as they are not merely observers of a foreseeable design template but are rather engaged with a character whose actions follow his special personality and situations.

In essence, Westlake's quote highlights the significance of sustaining character realism and depth, no matter the restraints or expectations connected with series fiction. By doing so, he thinks it is "better for him, much better for me", suggesting that staying faithful to these principles benefits both the character's credibility and Westlake's innovative fulfillment. This method underscores a commitment to quality storytelling over formulaic repetition.