Save the cat? Save the hot guy!

Let's say your editor wants you to slice a scene from your young adult novel. How should you respond? Your response should be based on one factor. Does the scene contain the Hot Guy in the story? If it does not, you should consider her suggestion and probably make the change. Because, yes, editorial input by and large makes a story better.

But what if she wants you to cut a scene with a hot guy in it?

In this case, remember you always know better than your editor. You, after all, are only...