Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Chopping Block

When I queried my manuscript the word count was a little over 96,000 words. After my line edit, it now stands at just under 87,000. That’s with an additional scene. I was shocked. 9,000 extra words!? Am I really that, well...wordy?

My agent assured me that all manuscripts need to be trimmed, that writers sometimes explain things that don’t need explaining or continue in a dialogue that can end a few lines earlier. In rereading my manuscript, it is definitely tighter and flows better. I cut out two whole scenes, but the truth is, they were only in there to explain each other.

When it comes to cutting, I can never decide for myself what needs to go. Once someone else points it out, it becomes blatantly obvious. What about you guys? Are you having a hard time cutting out scenes or sections? Are you good at removing the unnecessary?

In thinking about it, it seems more established novelist can get away with lengthier novels…why is that? I’ve read a few that could have used a good cut. J

20 comments:

  1. It can be hard removing parts people say are unnecessary especially when you really want them in there!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am awful at cutting it down. In fact, I add too much. I need to somehow find a happy middle. I definitely need help focusing on what is really needed!

    Are you officially on submission yet? SO EXCITED FOR YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ArmChairGeneral - It's true, some parts I really liked but had to cut.

    Lisa - Almost. Have to do the last "typo" check through. Hopefully will be on submission early March.

    ReplyDelete
  4. When I'm revising, I cut so many words! I definitely get too wordy and start telling instead of showing, so I'm a big fan of the delete button!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm continually amazed at how much can be cut, if that is the aim...not just trimming scenes here and there, but even word by word trimming...and I consider myself a fairly minimalist writer to begin with.

    Good luck on submission!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Isn't it amazing how much you can cut and still get your story across? I suffer from wordi-itis myself:) Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm one of those really weird people that actually underwrites. I'm always being told to fill out a scene. But I'm learning.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm in the process of trimming things on my WiP. Mostly excess taglines, too much exposition, narrative that slows the action and the like. It's hard to see your word count drop, but that helps the editor, especially when starting out.

    Oh, and I gave you a shout-out on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really hate cutting scenes that I feel are either well-composed or really entertaining, but if it's not necessary, yes, definitely has to be cut. But I've found it's easier to do so if you don't exactly "cut" it, but just copy and paste it into a separate document to slowly mourn over the next few weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yeah...my ms at 63,000 words and I'm happy with it there. Query Shark once said she'd be happier with a short novel she could tell an author to flesh out then a long one she had to edit a lot from. I took her at her word.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I hate cutting but it must be done. If I trim the text I prefer doing it over a longer period of time - definitely less painful. I sometimes spot redundant scenes sometimes not. A good editor is priceless.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think the easiest way to come at the 'cutting' is to step away from the project for at least a week or two. Then when you go back, the pieces that need to be cut will jump out at you.

    Oddly enough, after the first major slice into my ms, the rest was easy - and I could see what wasn't necessary. 15k words chopped later, my ms is tighter, flows better and is gorgeous.

    Having amazing crit partners helps too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes, *crying* I do.
    Just today I was working on a story and I just don't know if I need to say all of it. I will have to do some serious editing this weekend.
    Nahno ∗ McLein

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's easy to get too wordy. Sounds like you have an excellent agent looking out for you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm probably going to have to cut a crap load of words.... Ugh. I know it'll make my book flow better but man...is the thought daunting or what!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I wonder if the most established writers don't "get away" with longer books because editors/publishers are in a bigger hurry to get their projects on the market? Maybe it's a deadline thing, and so edits are sacrificed?

    I know what you mean, though. When I "finished" my WiP, it was over 100,000 words. Since then, I haven't cut any scenes, in fact I've added a couple, and somehow, magically, nearly 25,000 words have vanished... amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am awful at removing unnecessary things. Although, I tend to edit as I go, so each sentence has already been thought through. Who am I kidding, each sentence sucks! :P

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, and thanks for the follow! It's a pleasure to reciprocate.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I gave you an award :)
    http://thefarseas.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've read a lot of books that could use a good trimming down. I wonder if the editors become lazy or they try to please the authors by leaving in the unnecessary scenes.

    ReplyDelete