So, I’m revising my YA book.  That’s totally normal.  What’s weird is that my editing has somehow added around seventy-five pages to my book.  But, wait.  That isn’t the painful part. 

In addition to some growth spurts, I’ve had to snip paragraphs and scenes that don’t work - ouch!  It totally hurts to cut writing I’ve slaved over. Sweated over.  But, if it doesn’t help the story, it goes under the knife (as Meredith Grey would say).  But, I’m not a surgeon.  The cutting isn’t fun. 

In order to get rid of unnecessary paragraphs or scenes that I love, I have to paste the severed parts onto a new document and save them.  That way they’re safe.  Forever.  Or until I break my chip–hasn’t happened yet, but I worry. 

Other authors have told me they print cut pages and then keep them in a box.  I find my moving and saving to be more… economically beneficial (aka: paper ain’t cheap).  So, I’m not wacky to save my cast offs.  It’s just a writer thing. 

What’s a painful part of your work day?