Hey, busy writers! How’s the revision process treating you? We get it—you want that manuscript to be perfect for your future agent, publisher, and all those eager readers (not to mention your mom). But trimming the fat can be a nightmare. Don’t worry, Better Writing in 5 is here to help! You’ve probably heard the phrase “kill your darlings,” coined by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, but what does that really mean? It’s not as sinister as it sounds, promise! Essentially, it means cutting out those bits of your manuscript that you love… but are really just taking up space. (Looking at you, 200,000-word epic!) So, how do you go about it?
Here are 5 darlings worth taking out for the sake of your manuscript:
1. Twin sidekicks
We’ve all been there. You’ve got one sidekick, and they’re doing just fine, but then you think, “Why not double the fun?” Enter the twin sidekick—two characters with the same role, same personality, and no real reason to exist separately. Whether they’re two bickering best friends or two lovable goofballs, if they don’t bring anything unique to the story, it’s time to say goodbye to one of them. After all, your hero doesn’t need a partner-in-crime for every chapter. Streamline those characters and save some space for the ones who truly matter.
2. Stock characters
You know the ones: the wise mentor who always knows just what to say, the quirky comic relief who’s only there to make a bad pun, or the extra love interest who doesn’t add anything but more drama. Sure, they’re fun to write, but are they really necessary? If they don’t serve a clear role in your plot or arc—out they go! Your readers aren’t coming for cookie-cutter characters. They want fresh, dynamic people who push the story forward, not just hang out to fill the pages.
3. “Best” lines
You know what we mean—the lines that you think are so clever, so profound, you just can’t bear to part with them. But here’s the thing: sometimes, the best line is the one that sounds good in the moment but doesn’t serve the plot. Maybe it’s flowery language, extra adverbs, or a long-winded metaphor that doesn’t quite fit. Take a step back and ask: Does this add value to the story? If not, it’s time to let it go. Don’t worry, it’ll find a home in your next great work. Maybe in the “Best of” collection.
4. Fun scenes
You remember that couple of scenes you wrote just because they made you laugh out loud? Do they actually push the story forward, or were they just fun in the moment? If they don’t add anything to the narrative or character development, cut ’em. Your readers will appreciate the tighter pacing and the fact that they won’t have to slog through a completely unnecessary pie-eating contest.
5. Reflection scenes
Every character needs a moment to reflect, right? Well, yes… but do they need several pages of it? A quick breather after a major event is one thing, but long, drawn-out reflection scenes can slow the pacing to a crawl. We get it—your character’s had a major win, or a gut-wrenching loss, and they need to process it. But a chapter of wallowing in sorrow or basking in newfound love is probably more than your readers can handle in one sitting. Keep the momentum moving by trimming those lengthy internal monologues. Reflection is important, but brevity is the soul of wit (and good pacing).
Conclusion
Killing your darlings can be tough, but it’s soooo worth it when you’re holding a shiny bestseller in your hands. Be willing to make the cuts, and your manuscript will be that much stronger in the long run. And hey, don’t worry—no scene, character, or line needs to be permanently deleted. Save them for a future project or give them their own story. There’s always room for darlings in your writing universe!