What was the author's role in writing these stories, and what did Sai Baba say about ego?

Sai Baba clarified that the author's role was to be a "pretext" or a vessel for the divine work. As detailed in Chapter 2, Sai Baba explicitly stated, "He is merely a pretext; I myself shall write my own story!" The primary condition for this divine assistance was the complete dissolution of the author's ego. Baba instructed, "He should dissolve his ego and surrender it at my feet." Only when the ego is gone and no trace of it remains would Baba enter with 'I-ness' and write with His own hand, providing full support to the devotee.