I have now entered the painful phase of editing THE IGNORED PROPHECY, sequel to THE SHAMAN’S CURSE.
This is the part where I have to figure out what to cut. After the second draft, THE IGNORED PROPHECY comes in at over 120,000 words. THE SHAMAN’S CURSE is 108,000 words.
I have to cut things. Sometimes even things I really like. I’ve already cut a couple of chapters out. (Don’t worry, those chapters are very likely to reappear as a short story. It’s not nearly as painful when I figure out how to reuse what I cut.) But I need to cut more.
I’m sure I need to tighten things up in the first ten chapters or so, but I’m having trouble seeing exactly what to cut because a lot of that is actually setting up for things that will happen later. It’s going to require some thought.
I’m also considering cutting an entire subplot and two whole characters. The story will probably be better for it, though. Even if it does sacrifice a little extra conflict.
I just have to nerve myself up to get out the pruners.
I’m glad you’ve got a plan to use those characters anyway. Pruning can be so painful.
LikeLike
I can reuse part of it, anyway. Not sure about the other part, yet.
LikeLike