How Much Do You Cut? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T20:44:47Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:81539?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A90176&feed=yes&xn_auth=noJudging by your picture, you…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-06:537324:Comment:902022007-11-06T14:31:56.360ZDADavenporthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DADavenport
Judging by your picture, you might be taking the cutting to extremes, Stuart!
Judging by your picture, you might be taking the cutting to extremes, Stuart! I wouldn't consider the work…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-06:537324:Comment:901762007-11-06T13:46:32.749ZDADavenporthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DADavenport
I wouldn't consider the work wasted. I'm sure that you learn each time you do it. Editing and being ruthless is the best way to make your WIP work, so don't let it depress you.<br />
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Sit down, and put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it. ~Colette, Casual Chance, 1964<br />
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I love this advice. You got to be a hard-ass and be willing to lop of a limb to save the body.
I wouldn't consider the work wasted. I'm sure that you learn each time you do it. Editing and being ruthless is the best way to make your WIP work, so don't let it depress you.<br />
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Sit down, and put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it. ~Colette, Casual Chance, 1964<br />
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I love this advice. You got to be a hard-ass and be willing to lop of a limb to save the body. There! I went to see what Stu…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-02:537324:Comment:887072007-11-02T14:17:58.960ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
There! I went to see what Stuart had to say. Figuring, whatever it is, it works brilliantly. :)
There! I went to see what Stuart had to say. Figuring, whatever it is, it works brilliantly. :) I usually cut 20% to 25% on t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-02:537324:Comment:886182007-11-02T09:24:42.475ZStuart MacBridehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Macbride
I usually cut 20% to 25% on the second draft and then go straight into line edit.<br />
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It's painful, but I think it makes everything a lot tighter and work a lot better. There's nothing like getting a bit of distance from the first draft to make the actual story stand out.
I usually cut 20% to 25% on the second draft and then go straight into line edit.<br />
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It's painful, but I think it makes everything a lot tighter and work a lot better. There's nothing like getting a bit of distance from the first draft to make the actual story stand out. I do a lot of "seeding" in my…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-10-30:537324:Comment:877132007-10-30T22:34:47.993ZMark Troyhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/metroy
I do a lot of "seeding" in my first draft--putting in elements that might or might not develop into something such as a character or a subplot or a source of tension. Then on the second draft, I cut. Stephen King's 10% works for me. I usually set myself a goal of cutting 15 to 20% but end up cutting only 10%. The third or fourth draft is where I add those elements that should be in there to flesh out the story, but still, I have a goal of cutting 5 to 10% on each draft. If I add something, I…
I do a lot of "seeding" in my first draft--putting in elements that might or might not develop into something such as a character or a subplot or a source of tension. Then on the second draft, I cut. Stephen King's 10% works for me. I usually set myself a goal of cutting 15 to 20% but end up cutting only 10%. The third or fourth draft is where I add those elements that should be in there to flesh out the story, but still, I have a goal of cutting 5 to 10% on each draft. If I add something, I try to eliminate the same amount or more someplace else. By the time I finished my current novel, it was 35% shorter than the first draft.<br />
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I think of revising as being like sculpting. How did Michaelangelo create David? He took a rock and cut away everything that wasn't David. The first draft is like quarrying the stone--you have to give yourself enough to work with. After that, it's all cutting. I don't miss the parts I cut out. When I go back and compare the first draft with the final, I'm always pleased with the improvement. I start the morning out with…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-10-23:537324:Comment:849672007-10-23T01:19:26.204ZDennis Leppanenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/TheWarbler
I start the morning out with yesterday's writing. I edit, and generally <i>add</i>both dialogue, and description. Of course, if something comes out bulky or meaningless, I delete. But, it almost always tends to be larger.<br />
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In my early years in journalism, the editor always stood over my shoulder with the dreaded red ink---now, in my <i>fictional years,</i>I clean as I go, then back the next morning where I tend to find the seams that need straightening.
I start the morning out with yesterday's writing. I edit, and generally <i>add</i>both dialogue, and description. Of course, if something comes out bulky or meaningless, I delete. But, it almost always tends to be larger.<br />
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In my early years in journalism, the editor always stood over my shoulder with the dreaded red ink---now, in my <i>fictional years,</i>I clean as I go, then back the next morning where I tend to find the seams that need straightening. Ah, no I see what you mean by…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-10-19:537324:Comment:835372007-10-19T00:12:44.676ZDaniel Hatadihttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/danielhatadi
Ah, no I see what you mean by 'forced to'. It's not because you've created something to complicated to go without outlining, it's a business thing!
Ah, no I see what you mean by 'forced to'. It's not because you've created something to complicated to go without outlining, it's a business thing! Does that mean you outline or…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-10-19:537324:Comment:835352007-10-19T00:11:50.339ZDaniel Hatadihttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/danielhatadi
Does that mean you outline or spend months thinking about the novel before you write?
Does that mean you outline or spend months thinking about the novel before you write? I do keep the stuff I cut in…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-10-19:537324:Comment:835332007-10-19T00:10:50.849ZDaniel Hatadihttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/danielhatadi
I do keep the stuff I cut in a separate file but I find that I never go back to it. I have too many more exciting ideas to work with!
I do keep the stuff I cut in a separate file but I find that I never go back to it. I have too many more exciting ideas to work with! Interesting. For Steven King,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-10-19:537324:Comment:835292007-10-19T00:10:11.458ZDaniel Hatadihttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/danielhatadi
Interesting. For Steven King, it's 10%, Jennifer Weiner about 50%, and for me it's 20%. So you're right in that we just all have our own ways of working. Which makes sense, because this is not rocket science.
Interesting. For Steven King, it's 10%, Jennifer Weiner about 50%, and for me it's 20%. So you're right in that we just all have our own ways of working. Which makes sense, because this is not rocket science.