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What does "kill your darlings" actually mean for fiction writers-- and how do you know which parts of your story should be cut?

In this episode, I explore a problem with one of writing's most popular pieces of advice: and give you a solution that works well for me. I'll give you a way to decide.

I also break down two ways you might notice a possible "darling" in the first place.

Then I give you three questions you can use to test if something is a darling.

Most importantly, I reverse the usual advice.

This episode is perfect for you if you have questions like:

* What does "kill your darlings" mean in fiction writing?
* How do I know what to cut from my story?
* How do I know if a scene belongs in my novel?
* What should I do when beta readers dislike a scene I love?
* How do I decide whether feedback means something should be removed?
* Can a good scene still be wrong for the story?
* How do I know what reader experience my story is creating?
* Should every scene match the same tone or mood?
* What if my favorite part of the story doesn't fit the rest?
* When should I change the story instead of cutting the thing I love?
* How can discovery writers decide what belongs after drafting?
* How can I revise fiction without cutting the things that make it unique?

Episode 028 | Ep 28