The Art of Editing: Removing 'Darlings' for a Better Story
As an author, the process of crafting a manuscript is a deeply rewarding endeavor. However, sometimes, the journey becomes more complex and challenging. One of the most difficult tasks in the editing phase is what I like to call 'killing your darlings.' This involves the painful process of removing sections of your work that you hold dear, even when they detract from the overall narrative. Let's delve into why this is necessary and how to approach it effectively.
A Novel in Two Streams
My recent collaboration with Eunice involved the creation of a novel with a unique structure: it ran in two parallel streams. One stream was set in modern-day Buffalo, New York, while the other was placed in 1865 London. Each chapter alternated, with odd-numbered chapters set in Buffalo and even-numbered chapters in London. Our story began with a group of college friends, one of whom inherited a run-down old house from an unknown uncle. In the basement, he discovered bizarre antique medical equipment and an old handwritten journal belonging to his ancestor, a doctor and researcher from the 1800s.
The 1865 portion of the story centered around this ancestor and his work, while the modern-day segments focused on the descendant and his friends learning about the ancestor's research and continuing his legacy. We invested a lot of time and effort into this project, even immersing ourselves in medical texts from that era to ensure historical accuracy. However, the editing process highlighted the true complexities of writing a novel.
Challenges in Editing
As I mentioned, the editing process can often be a daunting task. Whether it's removing whole chapters or scenes, or even cutting characters, the process can be challenging. I found that sometimes, entire sections that seemed crucial at first needed to be excised to keep the story moving and to sharpen the narrative. One of the most significant challenges arose when we realized that certain passages, while seemingly beautiful and poignant, did not add value to the overall story. These 'darling' sections slowed the pace and detracted from the intended narrative.
Striving for Perfection
To ensure that the story was as compelling as possible, we made a game out of the editing process. One of the strategies we employed was to challenge ourselves to remove 10 words per document. We found that this was relatively easy to do, and, in many cases, removing up to 30 words didn't significantly affect the story. This approach often led to a more concise and effective narrative. Moreover, we aimed to hit the 10-word cut every time when our pieces were longer than the allowed word count, but even when the final manuscript was within the limits, we still attempted to make those minor cuts.
As the author Steve Almond once said, 'The true test of any writing is how well you can edit it.' The editing process is not just about cutting but also about knowing when to let go of content that, no matter how beautiful, doesn't serve the story. The key is to focus on what moves the plot forward and enhances the characters.
Preserving the Best of Your Work
It's important to note that even though we remove certain passages, they are not lost forever. I keep a file of all the deleted scenes because there's a chance they might fit perfectly into another story. This serves as a repository of ideas that can be revisited and repurposed. The process of removing 'darlings' is not entirely wasteful; it's a way to refine your work and ensure that every word serves the story.
Conclusion: Embrace the Pain
Removing 'darlings' can be a painful experience, but it is a necessary one for the betterment of your story. It's a part of the editing process that can sometimes be tough to face. However, by approaching it as a game and striving for perfection, you can turn this challenging process into an opportunity for growth and improvement. In essence, editing is not just about making your writing better; it's about making your story better.