As with most human endeavours we warm up to optimal performance and cool down when our energy flags.
Writing is not an exception.
Think about when you sit to write, when do the words flow?
If you are anything like me it takes a few minutes, or a few sentences to settle into writing mode, then it flows faster sometime than my fingers. When I find myself faltering, questioning my words, backtracking it's time to take a break.
Your best performance is after the warm up and before the cool down.
An exercise Adrienne advised us to try -
Copy and paste your story into a new document and save it with a new name..
Find your metaphorical scissors - or real ones if you work on paper.
Take a deep breath, and ...
Cut the first two chapters and last two chapters entirely.
Cut the first and last paragraph of each chapter.
Read your story- does it need the words you have cut?
I know this sounds drastic, but it is worth trying. When I write a first draft I do not have chapters, but applying this exercise now to my forth draft is enlightening. I have not cut it all, but it has helped me to focus my mind on relevancy.
Be brave and have a go.
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