I'd Rather Edit Myself

In the past two years I’ve submitted many articles for Sunday School handouts. The usual story is 1200 words. Over time my writing improved and so did my sales. Once an editor said he needed a story for Thanksgiving—he didn’t give an actual word count, but his market said 500 to 1200 words. I submitted an 1100 word story and within an hour the editor emailed me. “Your story is what I’m looking for to fit an 800 word space. Do I have your permission to edit?”

I replied, “Give me until tomorrow and I’ll see if I can cut to fit your needs.”

Wow. It seemed to me every word was necessary to move the story forward, but I hacked away. Resubmitted and sold it. Sold the reprint, also. The experience taught me to think like an editor. That means I ask myself this question: If every word costs the company $1, do they need them all? Will they receive good return on their money?”

Sometimes I cut more—sometimes I think like an author and value every word, even my cutesy expressions and/or purple prose. This I know, I’m a better author than last year, but haven’t reached my goal of perfection—yet.
Go find the action. Cut some words tonight:)

Enjoy, Kat