Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Snip-Snip Here, Snip-Snip There


Worn out, but satisfied with the latest manuscript, I sent it to my agent, happily a guy who critiques the work of his clients. As I handed this package to the USPS clerk, I took comfort in the fact that I couldn't think of anything more that I could do with this story. The time had come for Mr Agent’s review.


That day I made an appointment to get my hair trimmed. As with the novel, there was not much else I could do with my mane. In my obsession to get the work in progress done, I’d put off a hair appointment for too long.


Two weeks later, I return home with my hair cut to an email from my agent. Hurray and phew, he gave the novel his seal of approval, but he suggested that I do a bit of trimming.


At first I wondered What to cut? and What if I lobe off too much? Funny, these were the same thoughts I had about my hair. As with my locks, though, I realized that cutting was a necessity, not an option. So, I sharpened my tools and opened up the novel file. I started to read, I started to snip. And snip. A light trim here, surgery there. By the time I finished, my novel had lost weight. It gained flow and body. Sort of like my hair after it had been hacked. That's when I realized that although cutting can sometimes be scary, it is often necessary.


What do you think?

13 comments:

  1. Congrats on getting your agents seal of approval! I'm sure the MS is awesome.

    I do agree, trimming can be hard but it can make a huge difference. When My critique group suggests that I cut something or change it, I'm often reluctant, but once I get to work and snip, snip, snip, the MS always turns out better and stronger than it was before.

    Great post!

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  2. That's something I'm learning for sure... and also adding to make things clearer.

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  3. I think it's great you have a distance of a couple weeks...the fresh look will turn up places to trim, I'm sure. Good luck with it!

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  4. One of my best friends, also a writer and who used to head our local writer's group, often told us not to be afraid to "Kill your darlings." Editing (cutting) can be a curse, but also a blessing.

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  5. I hope your hair and your manuscript turned out just right!

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  6. I agree, trimming can be necessary and I wish more authors did trim. The tricky part is making the decision where and how much. (And I just got my hair trimmed today!)

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  7. Aww, thanks Christy!

    Yes, Bish, adding just the right something is the other side of the cutting. Such a balancing act. : )

    You're so right, Anita--the distance made a huge difference. It always does for me.

    That's right, Sabrina, "Kill your darlings" is a requirement that writers have to keep in mind, like it or not. : )

    Thanks, Kelly--I'm not sure which needed more work! Ha!

    Ooo, MG, I hope the hair looks gorgeous! It is tricky knowing where and when to cut, isn't it?

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  8. Thanks! You inspired a blog post for me. My writing seldom need a trim, but it frequently needs to be plumped up.

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  9. Ah yes, Shannon, plumping up is the other side of the cutting situation. Cutting and adding material can be a bit of a balancing act, I think.

    Thanks for stopping by. Now I'm off to check out your blog post. ; )

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  10. I usually go into panic mode when I have to cut stuff, wondering where to start. Getting started is the most important part of the process. Once I do, it's easy from that point on.

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  11. I agree that getting started is the hardest part, j.L. Which explains why procrastinating becomes so easy. : )

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  12. I used to be so afraid to cut from my manuscripts, and now I happily do so. Taking out all the extraneous things makes the writing stronger.

    I also used to be afraid to cut my hair. Most of my life my hair has reached my waist. Last summer I cut it shoulder-length and it felt liberating.

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  13. Wow, Medeia, I'm impressed with your ability to cut both your manuscripts and your hair! Being brave enough to snip is liberating in more ways than one! Thanks!

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