Don't delete your darlings. Not yet.
Hi,
Ever written something, then gone back to read through it, and noticed a section that doesn’t quite fit? Something fun, perhaps, but not right for this piece, this place, this time?
The standard advice is to cut it, to “kill your darlings” in the memorable rendition.
And yet. It’s easy to waver, finger hovering over the delete button. Perhaps this sentence could find new life elsewhere, even if not here?
Turns out that’s a common feeling. I’ve interviewed over a dozen writers recently, asking what they do with the things they cut. Most move cut sections to the bottom of the document in case they decide to use them elsewhere, or turn them into a new document of their own, or at least keep them around for reference. And a few, the brave few, go ahead and delete and move on.
Here’s the full article, with tips on what to do with the things you cut from your writing.
What do you do with the things you cut from your writing?
Matt + the Reproof team