I’m currently in finishing up a huge edit I’ve done to the beginning of one of the mainstream novels I’m working on. I was discussing this painful process with a friend and she put it well, saying…”Some authors need those first few chapters to “feel” their way through the story, to build it…then they have to CUT THEM!” Must be a pantser writer problem, I’m thinking as I wail, “Noooooo! I don’t wanna. Those pages are so good. There’s great dialogue and interaction and character development…and…and…”
And the truth was…those couple of chapters had too much backstory.
Raise your hand if you’re a panster writer. *Patrice raises her hand high* Well, I’ve moved to more of a hybrid style in the last year. I “high level” plot and the rest of the story “develops” as I write.
So I’ve gone and cut 30 pages of this manuscript. Eeek! Yep, 30. The writing part flows for me, but this whole “cut a chapter and a half” editing thing…man, it’s a true art! After I cut those pages, I had to figure out how I was going to convey all the information I’d just taken out. The answer: A ‘lil bit at a time, darlin’. ;) Oy!
But it was a great process. While I was editing, I found other things that needed to be fixed…like better ways to “show” some scenes instead of “tell”. I’m done with the edits on the section I took a hatchet to. Woohoo! 
And on to writing the rest of the story! Hmmm, I guess I’d better update my WIP bar. Better find that “how to” email from my webmistress…LOL!
If you’re an author reading this…how to do tackle big hatchet jobs on your novels? What process do you go through? Do buck up and take the plunge right away? Or do you think about it for a day before you dive in?
Patrice
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hehehe…revisions…hehehe
It’s never fun, is it? Especially when cutting large portions out of your book. And best thing to do is get your battle plan ready and know what you’re going to do before you make that slice and dice. Know what you’re cutting and what you’re going to replace it with. I usually print out the section I’m cutting, then cut and paste it to a new file, just in case (don’t really know what this ‘just in case’ is…but just in case *g*). Then do your rewrite according to plan.
Scary as hell to do that much cutting, though. Made me quiver when I did it *g*
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My first big hatchet job as you know was Forbidden Magic. What an incredible experience that was! I have a rewrite on Seduced by Magic that I need to delve into like now, but I feel much better about it than I did FM. And yes, I’m a pantser writer! LOL
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I love revisions and edits (OK- I’m weird) But I really don’t mind chopping up a book, moving things around and polishing it up. I’m both a pantser and a plotter. When I pantser a book, I often end up chopping off a lot. When I outline it, I end up having to pad out the bare bones. LOL.
by Sam
on January 11th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
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I knew what needed to be cut and changed, but it still took me a day to get the cojones up to do it. :-/
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Jaci,
Ah yes, that famous “cut scenes” file. I have one for several of my books. Knowing what I need to do was half the battle. I “knew” but I had to figure out “how”. It’s done..Yippee!! hehe
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Chey,
I remember your rewrites of Forbidden Magic and how you felt it really made you book that much better.
Patrce
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Sam,
You are wierd! hehe..just kidding. I admire someone who can cut and paste and move around. This is the first book I’ve cut so much out. Oy! In A Taste for Control, I got rid of about 15 pages, so I’ve at least dipped my toe into the “huge edit” pool.
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I’m with you on mulling over those huge cuts for a day, Jordan! *nodding*
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You pantzer people make me sooooo jealous! I always wanna be one, but I’m such a sucky plotter that I HAVE to bleed and sweat over the plot ahead of time.
And yuck to the revisions!
by Larissa
on January 12th, 2006 at 1:53 pm
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I never had to cut up a ms until St. Martin’s!!!! It’s funny, but my first chapter became my 4th because I didn’t have enough back story. LOL. This recent EC book, Kalina’s Discovery, I did realize I needed to go back and add a chapter to the beginning, which meant Mackenzie had to write a new chapter since we alternate. I really threw her for a loop. LOL
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Larissa,
I love being a pantser (because I get to experience the story as it’s written…LOL!), but a bit of me wishes I was a die hard plotter at times. The grass is always greener…
Chey, I hadn’t thought of how being a pantser writer would affect a writing partner. Glad you guys got it worked out!
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Yeah, it turned out well, I think. Now when are you going to post a new blog entry? LOL
