Why Trimming a Novel is Harder than Writing One:
Chop Chop Chop!
By Thio Isobel Moss
You watch the cursor move across the page, leaving behind a row of crisp characters, one by one. Page after page fills until something greater than paper and ink is built — a story. Your story! And then comes the next step: go back and, line by line, mercilessly carve out wasted words, bloated descriptions, and other excesses. Your triumph is short-lived.
I wrote a book of epic proportions — if not content. A reader could be forgiven for thinking I skipped trimming the beast, when, in fact, I did not. I cut 70,000 words — an entire novel’s worth. The sweet spot for urban fantasy is 90,000–130,000 words. I knew I wouldn’t get down to that, but I had to trim.
Trimming is a series of strategic choices: which lines are structural and non-negotiable? Which are window-dressing? Which enrich the prose without being strictly essential? It’s best done with a professional editor or a trusted, meticulous reader. I worked solo, deciding that each sentence should do the work of three. I like dense books; not everyone does. My method kept the passages I loved but made the story harder for readers who prefer to skim.
Do I regret it? No. But I do pay attention to reviews. Blind Spot is evidently a love-it-or-hate-it book. So far, I’ve received five-star and one-star reviews — no threes. The low ratings are not failures; they’re signals. Readers consistently cite density and multiple POVs as confusing. I’m grateful: these reviews help me correct my marketing and signal the right audience.
If you’re trimming, heed this: signal density upfront, so your ideal reader knows what to expect. Separate emotion from craft. Your work is your baby, but the editing process requires you to read it critically — not punitively, but realistically. Take calculated risks, but understand their consequences in marketing.
Today, I revised my book description and keywords. I no longer try to appeal to everyone. No book is for all readers. Drawing mismatched readers brings negative reviews; targeting the right niche builds lasting engagement.
Writing is a bizarre, beautiful world. What feels negative in the moment often serves a larger purpose. Narrowing the audience you’re marketing to is essential. Advice like “kill your darlings” isn’t cruel — it’s functional. I’ve heard French women offer this bit of fashionable wisdom: before you leave the house, take off one accessory. This goes double for writing.
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