I did some editing on my too-long children’s book. Killed some darlings, as they say. It’s down to 934 words, which might still be too long, but hopefully won’t make agents or editors trash it just on the basis of word count without even reading it. I don’t think I cut anything too important to the plot — I have to remember that the illustrations will help tell the story.
(Not this illustration, mind you. This is my own VERY rough sketch of Ivan the knife-thrower and his assistant.)
My favorite line that didn’t make the cut:
The audience would never see, from over in the stands / The curtain cord betwixt the wicked trickster’s vicious hands.
(How often do you get to use the word “betwixt”? Not today for me, I guess…)
michelle heimburger 