A scene in a story has a purpose. It is easy to forget this fact, particularly in a novel. I think we have all written scenes that don’t seem to belong when we get to the editing process. It is hard to just throw the scene away. I have a folder that has lived by various names, such as ideas, outtakes, and other terms. The name is not important. However, it makes removing the scene easier on my ego. With all that said, let’s move on.
One of the most fundamental reasons for a scene is that it advances the story. In the editing process, we must ask, “how does it advance the story?” Once that is clear in our mind, a slew of other questions come to mind. Could it be shorter? Does it need more detail? Is the scene clear in its purpose? Stop! Don’t get caught in the endless loop of editing and re-editing. Making a short list of questions and printing them out eases the editing process. One question I always include is, “Could it be shorter?” Today’s readers don’t want a 2000-page tome. They won’t even consider it.
Sometimes in the editing process, we remove the life of a scene. An example might help here. The scene shows a woman getting ready to go on a first date. She wants to feel sexy and attractive. She chooses a red dress because she’s heard that it’s an attractive color to a male. She even puts on sexy lingerie even though the man will never see it. All that information is needed because it shows how important this date is to the woman. Left out, the scene falls flat.
I cut and paste a scene into a blank document before I begin to edit. That gives me the ability to make sure I haven’t done something like remove the life of a scene. It also makes it easy for me to go back and repair any damage I’ve done. You will feel more secure in your editing if you have a script to follow. I learned that by doing what an editor had suggested. He provided me with the script – the corrections he wanted. By following his script closely, I realized that my editing improved without damaging the original.
Good luck with your editing!
