Sue's News

Through the Grinder

July 20th, 2010

Many of my readers know I’m a vegetarian… but sometimes when it comes to my writing, I can be a butcher! I have no qualms about cutting whole chunks of text, and letting the guts fly where they may.

This merciless trend started in college, in a writing class my last semester. My instructor had some doubts about my writing, until I took a piece and put it through the grinder. When she’d read the new draft, she said, “Now you’re ready for graduate school!” That was two days before graduation… It’s more than ten years ago now, and yet, I still remember and cherish that moment as one of the stepping stones on my journey as a writer.

As protective as I can sometimes be with my characters, I know it’s not a good idea to be so protective of the words on the page. I’d rather “sacrifice” a few words now than find the actors and director spinning their wheels later.

Hacking a monologue (or two) to bits gives a whole new meaning to blood, sweat, and tears.

–Sue

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