"The author is a character in the story."
This statement directly breaks the fourth wall and acknowledges the fictional nature of the narrative. It highlights the self-awareness of the text and its commentary on the creative process, a key element of metafiction.
Metafiction, in essence, is fiction that draws attention to its own fictional nature. It often involves a blurring of the lines between reality and fiction, and in this case, Tim's statement directly addresses the author's role within the narrative.