More Than Just Magic

So I am deep into revisions for my fantasy WIP. It’s the one I wrote in August for Camp NaNoWriMo. I’d already done one round of some basic revisions and then set is aside to write a different book for NaNoWriMo in November. But my New Years resolution was to finish a new draft of the August novel by the end of the month. But when I picked it up again to continue on with revision I knew the last third of the book just wasn’t working. I kept running different scenarios in my head and trying to pinpoint exactly where it all goes off course. And my progress began to crawl.

But then one day (while in line for The Hobbit actually) I finally figured it out and decided to add in a few new scenes. Problem is those scenes change how the novel ends and how the characters get to that ending so from the new scenes on, things need to be re-written. So I decision had to be made. And it took me a few days to finally work up the courage but…

I cut the words out.

15,000 words.

Considering this first draft of the novel was only 57,000 that feels like a huge chunk has been carved out of my novel. I thought about how many late nights I had spent writing them and how much caffeine I had consumed in August to make this story happen. And I straight out mourned the loss of those words. My weekend looked a lot like this:

But after getting it all out of my system I reminded myself that they’re not all lost. Many basic elements stayed the same so I will be able to reuse some material. The 14,000 words are now sitting in their own separate Word document, so they’re not completely gone. But still it was a difficult decision.

This past week I’ve been writing those missing scenes. It’s slow going because I have work, and blogging and various other commitments. But I’m back up to 45,000 words and things are looking good. I like where things are going, I like how these scenes will enhance my characters journey and relationships. So in the end I’m glad I cut all the words because my novel will be better for it.

Have you ever had to cut a ton of words all at once from your WIP? Did you handle it better than I did? I want to know all your stories!

I’m still aiming to have this draft done by the end of the month (or at least early February) but it going to take some major motivation to stay on track! If you have any advice let me know!