Hitting the Delete Button, or Not

Don't be afraid of the Delete button.  But, you may write something which you truly love or suspect has some merit, but it you doesn't work for the story.  Cut and paste it to a new document instead.  Save it to file.  Then, if you get stuck or need new material, go back and read it.  I can't tell you how many new stories have sprung out of disgarded junk like this.  It's mind-boggling.  No wonder it took J.R.R. Tolkien nine years to write The Lord of the Rings!  If only he had had a computer!