Take It Out!

When in doubt, take it out! That's my new mantra for editing my stories. I can feel it now. The story grows heavy like it's dragging or not moving along. Like an anchor that won't let the ship float.

Yesterday I was working on a chapter, and it was emotional. The point was to evoke emotion from the reader. Yet I was the reader, and I was getting bogged down rather than teary-eyed. That's a sign! As I read, I felt the extra weight in the story pulling me under.

Until I started editing unnecessary explanations, etc. It felt good, too. Using that new understanding that the reader is crying out to me, "Get me in the story and keep me in the story!" has really helped. It was an epiphany for me.

And getting in the room with my characters. Yes, dialogue can pull the reader along, but sometimes stage directions are needed to. Maybe something as simple as one character looks up and glares until there is a non-verbal heated exchange through eye contact. Or the protagonist walks out of the room to avoid a confrontation.

Remember, if you get in the room, you will write better and then you can get the reader in the story and keep them in the story.