EDITING is like cutting Rapunzel's hair. My manuscript really needed a trim... for a long time. But I just couldn't get myself to do it. I sent it to the editor as a big hairy mess. She combed it here and there, but I knew it had to be trimmed and styled. It was at 86,000 words. Now it is at 78,000 words. I also cut SO many words that apparently are just filler words. (Haha, I used 2 in that sentence!)
My most used: JUST
The others: that, begins, starts, feels like, looks like, turns, know, says, look/watch/see, hear
And apparently I misuse "like" when I should be using "as if" or "as though."
Holy Grammar, Batman!
In addition, I cut a bunch of mechanics. For example, "She nodded her head." Of course you nod your HEAD. You don't nod anything else. So I deleted "her head" and all the other body parts used for waving, sitting, shrugging, etc.
Let's not waste words!
Lastly, the beginning was too long so I combined two scenes. In my head they were equally important and wonderful. With much angst, I combined them into one with both events happening on the same day. Then I cut out a lot of words. It was stressful to hack at my baby! I didn't want to mess it up. It was so pretty!!
Luckily, it works. Thankfully, it reads better. And my baby is even cuter now. Oh
WINGBOUND, I love thee. Let me count the ways!
