My Friend, The Delete Key

As I started my first rewrite two days ago, I quickly learned how important it is to delete when you're rewriting. When I finished my first draft a mere 10 days ago, I had 282 double-spaced pages. I am now down to 279 pages.

I started my rewrite with the idea that my original opening had to go. It was two pages of unnecessary drivel describing how an impending storm mirrored the emotions of uncertainty that plagued one of my main characters. It was good writing, don't get me wrong. However, it was what I've learned is called "purple prose," and it wasn't needed. My finger hovered over that delete key as I was about to use it for the first time. I mean, I was starting off my first rewrite by shaving off the first two pages! At this rate, was I even going to have a story left by the time I was done?

Another large section of fluffy dialog was the next to go. This was probably a little less than a page. I still hesitated, but it was a little easier with my first deletion behind me.

Now that I'm 30 pages into my rewrite, I'm able to highlight those pages and paragraphs and hit that delete key with reckless abandon! I can hardly wait to see the trimmed down version that I'm left with when I'm done. In the meantime, I would like to introduce you to my new friend, The Delete Key.