When I first began writing professionally, prior to editing, I wrote (from home) business pieces and feature stories for The Houston Chronicle (disgusting rag). My editor was brutal, but I am so grateful for him now; though, I shed a few tears of frustration over him back in those days. He always insisted that I “kill my little darlings,” those sentences and phrases I loved, but which were redundant or didn’t quite fit.
Now, many years later and at a point where I’m usually the editor for others, I’ve taken to keeping my darlings in a special file -- just in case.
Imagine if The Beatles had deleted everything after releasing the Let It Be documentary. Peter Jackson would not have been able to create his magisterial Get Back documentary.
When I am supposed to "write for someone else" (consider the reader) I simply can't. When I "write for myself" the excrement flows freely from my fingertips.
I too have destroyed and deleted many starts, stream of consciousness, and uncountable insights. Set fire to them.
There have been a few past times that I have hammered out words to be read and delivered them to the audience i intended, in either bravado or moment of insanity, and felt satisfied in doing so.
In writing fiction, which is probably 80% of what I currently write, I keep the trimmings that fail to make it into the final version in a 'Worldbuilding' or 'Plan' document specifically for that story, along with the original idea notes and such. At the very least these serve as handy guide posts between writing sessions. In the best cases whole new stories sprout from them. My phone is also full of notes too, and I have far too many sketchbooks dotted around. Many of the notes go forgotten and when I stumble on to them they either spawn new ideas or I'm thankful I cut and forgot about it.
This is great advice. Organising it so I can find what I've cut, is another matter.
Editing is a bloodthirsty business but you have to do it, and, much like surgery, you ought not to do it to yourself. After you think the draft is the best you can produce - find an editor who really is on your side and wants your *work* to shine. No you - what you've written. And then - trust them.
I write mostly fiction, and I write a lot of bits and pieces to understand my worlds and characters that don't end up fitting in the final story. I do what you talk about and keep them, too, and sometimes post them straight as side stories, or change them around a bit and repurpose them for something else. "Rest Stop" is a side story from my novella "Down Pad" and I'm working on another side story about TSgt Carrington's family from the same novella.
I've also got several side stories about my Romans from "Clock and Stola" as well. There, since I'm still writing in that world, you can see how my understanding of the world and characters develops in a current Work in Progress. Some of these stories will end up in the WIP, some will remain side stories.
And BTW, I started with a typewriter too. Learned on a manual, but got an electric when I went to college. I remember the days of yore too. <grin>
When I first began writing professionally, prior to editing, I wrote (from home) business pieces and feature stories for The Houston Chronicle (disgusting rag). My editor was brutal, but I am so grateful for him now; though, I shed a few tears of frustration over him back in those days. He always insisted that I “kill my little darlings,” those sentences and phrases I loved, but which were redundant or didn’t quite fit.
Now, many years later and at a point where I’m usually the editor for others, I’ve taken to keeping my darlings in a special file -- just in case.
Imagine if The Beatles had deleted everything after releasing the Let It Be documentary. Peter Jackson would not have been able to create his magisterial Get Back documentary.
When I am supposed to "write for someone else" (consider the reader) I simply can't. When I "write for myself" the excrement flows freely from my fingertips.
I too have destroyed and deleted many starts, stream of consciousness, and uncountable insights. Set fire to them.
There have been a few past times that I have hammered out words to be read and delivered them to the audience i intended, in either bravado or moment of insanity, and felt satisfied in doing so.
What compels me now.... we may never know.
This is writerly wisdom, thank you.
In writing fiction, which is probably 80% of what I currently write, I keep the trimmings that fail to make it into the final version in a 'Worldbuilding' or 'Plan' document specifically for that story, along with the original idea notes and such. At the very least these serve as handy guide posts between writing sessions. In the best cases whole new stories sprout from them. My phone is also full of notes too, and I have far too many sketchbooks dotted around. Many of the notes go forgotten and when I stumble on to them they either spawn new ideas or I'm thankful I cut and forgot about it.
Well said as always, Bruce! I am currently going through the manuscript my editor hasd labored over. I wish I had made his job easier.
This is great advice. Organising it so I can find what I've cut, is another matter.
Editing is a bloodthirsty business but you have to do it, and, much like surgery, you ought not to do it to yourself. After you think the draft is the best you can produce - find an editor who really is on your side and wants your *work* to shine. No you - what you've written. And then - trust them.
I write mostly fiction, and I write a lot of bits and pieces to understand my worlds and characters that don't end up fitting in the final story. I do what you talk about and keep them, too, and sometimes post them straight as side stories, or change them around a bit and repurpose them for something else. "Rest Stop" is a side story from my novella "Down Pad" and I'm working on another side story about TSgt Carrington's family from the same novella.
I've also got several side stories about my Romans from "Clock and Stola" as well. There, since I'm still writing in that world, you can see how my understanding of the world and characters develops in a current Work in Progress. Some of these stories will end up in the WIP, some will remain side stories.
And BTW, I started with a typewriter too. Learned on a manual, but got an electric when I went to college. I remember the days of yore too. <grin>
I feel the sting of this very keenly. I have been learning this lesson—not all at once, but gradually, over time. It's tough.
"How can I just abandon my beautiful word-babies?" my soul asks.
"Because you must," my mind responds.
Sigh.
But yes, I too pull them out and save them…just in case.