IMAO: Discovering Gems while Editing

On an unrelated note, I took my last class yesterday. I’m not officially done with school until I get my grades but, I know I’ll pass my classes so, I’m done. (Pause while I hyperventilate, weep, and do back flips.)

Now, back to business. I’ve been editing my novel. This is the first time I’ve read it in awhile. Every couple of pages, I come across scenes that are, in my arrogant opinion, amazing. The thing is…I don’t remember writing them. Seriously, I’m reading these scenes wondering where in the world they came from! If I didn’t know any better, I’d think someone else
has been editing my story. But that can’t be possible. My stories are under tight lock and key until they’re so polished they sparkle.

It’s like reading a novel for the first time. Big picture wise, I know what will happen next but, I have no idea what the next scene will be. It’s kind of exciting! This fresh pair of eyes is crucial to the editing process. I’m not too attached to any word or scene. If it doesn’t need to be there, it gets chucked. I’ve deleted pages of content without a thought. It’s gotta be done.