One of the hardest things for authors to do is cut out scenes. Sometimes the scenes simply aren’t very good and deserve their banishment….but others cause wailing and gnashing of teeth when I hit the “delete” key. The most common reasons good scenes are cut from a book are:
• The manuscript was getting too long.
• The plot took a different direction and the scene no longer makes sense as written.
• An editor didn’t like it. This never happens to me…oh my, no. No, no, it would simply never happen. Just kidding! My editor always give me the chance to tweak things to make the scene fly….sometimes I prefer to simply cut it rather than smooth off the edges.
One of the joys of having a website is that I can give those deleted scenes new life. If you check out the “Book Extras” section of my website, I collect a variety of behind-the-scenes trivia about the development of each book, plus a handful of deleted scenes I think fans of the book might enjoy. I’ve just rolled out my bonus scenes for Against the Tide. Check it out!
Comments 5
I’m so glad those scenes are getting a new life! This cover is truly one of my all time favorites. Congrats on your Christy nomination, Elizabeth. I’m so happy for you!
I loved Against the Tide. It’s now one of my all-time favorite books!
Thanks Kelly….. I loved every moment of writing AGAINST THE TIDE, and was glad I could find a place to publish a few of the deleted scenes.
Thank you for sharing! I did not realize that Daniel and Clara were supposed to be in it, and I have to admit now that I’m disappointed! The book was great without them of course, but from where I sit (as a fan of Lady of Bolton Hill too), I can’t imagine what reason your publisher would have for writing them out! 🙁 I would have loved to have “seen” them again!
Hi Anne….. I really hated to cut Daniel & Clara, too! I think the reason my publisher asked for this was because it was soooo long between the release of Bolton Hill and Bane’s book. Normally books in a series come out bam, bam, bam. THe fear was that readers wouldn’t pick up the new book unless they had read Bolton Hill. Soooooo….. Daniel and CLara had to go.