Before anyone gets nervous, I would like to say that the title of this post in no way indicates that I support Grindelwald. It also isn’t meant to be a reference to The Incredibles, although Frozone and Honey’s argument about “the greater good” is one of my favorite parts of that movie. This post is about the importance of focusing on the greater good both with my cats and my writing.
A couple of weeks ago, we got our two kittens spayed. My husband dropped off Amy and Ivy at the vet at 8:00 in the morning, and I was a nervous wreck until the vet called around noon to say they were doing okay. Even after that, I worried that they might get an infection or have other complications from the surgery. The kittens had to wear Elizabethan collars for over a week once we brought them home, and I’m happy to report that they are both completely healed now.
Though it was difficult at the time, having the kittens spayed was what was best for them in the long run. Because Amy and Ivy are spayed, they are much less likely to get uterine infections or breast tumors. If they ever escape the house and run away, they will have no risk of pregnancy and the health risks that go along with it. They can also avoid the uncomfortable diapers they would have had to wear in our house while they were in heat.
Sometimes, we have to do things we find hard, or even painful, because we know it’s ultimately for the best. That’s true in all areas of life, including writing. I recently received feedback about one of my unpublished novels that caused me to consider making some changes. After giving it a lot of thought, I decided the first few chapters need to be heavily revised.
As a result of that, I’m going to be cutting one of my favorite scenes in the book. I haven’t done it yet, but the prospect makes me sad. However, I know that doing so will improve the beginning of my novel. While I think the scene itself is good, it is rather long, and it interrupts the flow of the story. As hard as it is to admit, the novel is better off without it.
As a writer, one of the hardest things for me to do is cut a chapter, a scene, or even a line, that I love. But if doing so makes my entire novel better, then no matter much it hurts, I have to grit my teeth and do it for the greater good of my novel. In the end, I know it will be worth it.
Have you ever had to cut a scene you loved from your novel or short story? Let me know in the comments. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to see more like it.
