Let It Go Already!

 

There’s this book I’m revising now; one that’s very close to my heart. And, I’ve been hanging on to a minor subplot ever since I discovered how neatly it turns into a mini full-circle moment during a crucial scene. It’s a very serious bit, wrapped in history. Quite powerful. At least I think so. Maybe my very influential critique person did, too. 

HOWEVER... (and those who have heard me speak know how I feel about the word however), Influential Reader suggested that I cut it from the story. 

Really? It’s so clever, so grave, so...
“Not in the spirit of your story,” she said.

“Solution!” my inner voice called. “Double down on it! Make it integral to the book!”
I listened. And I gave it a bigger role. And then...

A week ago today, I told Influential Reader that I was almost done with a major overhaul of this book. Finally.

The first thing she said: “I was just thinking about that story, and how I truly believe you need to cut that one bit.”

Nooooooooooo!!!
And yet, Influential Reader has been much smarter than me in the past. And so...
I made the hard decision. Let it go. For now. 

But at that time when my editor gives me a yes-let’s-publish-this, I’ll show her what I intended. “What do you think?” I’ll say, hoping she'll see the merit in that subplot and ask me to reinstate it. 

Even if she doesn't, it’ll make an interesting discussion in one public forum or another.
Maybe even here.

Jody Feldman also realized that her thriller, NO WAY HOME, did not include such a bit, and it’s doing fine, thank you.