Pruning is hard work when it’s your manuscript.
The writers’ mantra is Less is More! In other words, prune everything in sight! This is what I’m doing with my children’s story: deleting parts which haven’t blossomed and pruning those which have promise, so they can be even more fruitful.
A few thoughts on how to prune a fig tree / edit a novel.
Narrative which appears good: PRUNE.
Characters that don’t add to the progression of the plot: CUT.
Redundant words: CUT.
1.’Select the strongest and well-placed shoots to achieve a balanced shape’ – Characters and plot which will entertain / shock / engage the reader and have the most emotional impact.
2. ‘Remove any branches that spoil the shape’ – Unnecessary subplots or characters.
3. ‘Remove suckers at the base of the fig tree’ – Distractions in the story which leave you dissatisfied and you wonder why you picked up the book in the first place!
4. ‘Cut out dead wood’ – Weak writing.
And after all this work, sit back with a glass of wine/ cup of tea and read a good book!