Just recently I put a 15 page section of RI2 on the chopping block. It's a big story event that I've had in mind since day one, and with the book's page count spiraling out of control, I decided it'd be best if I excised it. Enter Mark Andrews...it's great having a guy like Mark around, cause he loves talking story. I pitched him the doomed section of the book and said " I really like this section, but I think it may have to go". Mark listened intently to the pitch and quickly analyzed the situation. I told him what I was going for with it and he said it should be in there, but I could trim it down.
I brought up the rough pages and Mark went at it, suggesting cuts and places to streamline and condense things. We figured the 15 pages could be shrunk down to maybe 10 or 11 which will save me some time, perhaps a 1/2 week or so, which these days is pretty important.
It's going to be really difficult for me to finish this book on time, but it's good to the know the story will be the better for it.
3 comments:
That's interesting - how did you end up tightening it up? How do you decide what's really important and what's expendable fluff?
Working on such a big project like this, I imagine it gets to the point where you don't even realize there's something you can cut, just because it's solidified as you're working on it...?
Well, the problem is I'm so close to the story and characters that I don't want to cut anything. I want to play out each moment to its full capacity but it gets to a point where the story won't support it...I have to keep the momentum going.
The issue with the 15 page scene is that it's an emotional one and I don't want to sort shrift it or cheapen it by cutting it down too much.
The questions are how much can I cut and still keep the integrity of the scene intact and what are my main story points? Essentially aside from these story points, everything else is frosting (which is different from fluff...I think.)
Great stuff Ted. Sounds like you're really in the thick of it.I think its gratifying to get to that point where things feel tangible and are able to be organized to deliver the best wallop.
Post a Comment