Cut, Cut, Cut

I have been informed that Heart Change was too long so it has been cut. I DO trust my editor, but in page count that book wasn't as long as Heart Fate. So I think that I have been writing long for most of my books, but now the economy has caught up with me and I will no longer be able to skate the far edge of page count.

Sigh. I DID cut beforehand, and now I'm not sure exactly how long is "too long." So I'm waiting.

It IS easier for others to see what can be cut rather than the author, and that's one of the things good editors do.

Looking back on the manuscript, I can think of a scene or two that can be cut because they are setting up for books down the line that may never be bought. Bits that are not really necessary for this particular story. So I may not be foreshadowing as much in the future.

Also, I did have several Passages in this book (Avellana's) and I had Passages in Heart Fate, so those may have been cut.

I am not an author who thinks her words/scenes/chapters are set in stone (but I do like my cuts, thus the READS and WORLDS pages on my website). I WILL have to see the cuts to make sure that no payoffs are dropped and choreography works.

Bottom line, this means there may be a lot more work than I'd anticipated...

And, of course, I tend to worry instead of just accept things as they come. It will be fine. The cuts will go on the website for others, no story line will be screwed up...

May you live in the moment today.
Robin

More Story Than Pages

My Heart books usually come in right around 500 pages. In fact I like them to be that so I don't use more than one ream of paper (and if the ream is short, I know it).

However, I'm at the 400 page mark and know I have a LOT more story with Heart Change...two small subplots to tie up with a scene each and one major outer plot to get done. Not to mention the black moment and the romance. **Sigh**

So this means I will probably run long, and since I think my set up is slower than I like, I'll be cutting scenes from the front of the book. This can always hurt but 1) I no longer view my words and scenes as "precious" and set in stone, and 2) I've learned to assuage my hurt at cutting by putting some of the extra scenes up on my website.

In the end, all to the good.

I could, of course, start cutting and rearranging now, but it's better to get the full story down so I know how much needs to be cut.

That's all for now as I've been pushing my limits and am brain dead and only want a nap.

May you know what to keep and what to throw away today (or at least save in another file).

Robin