When I edit, I think of pruning. When I prune, I think of editing.

I did a lot of pruning yesterday.  This monster shrub was about the size of a full grown elephant seal, and looked about as likely to flower.  It was time to take charge.  As I was sawing, snipping, and snapping, I thought about how much the process of pruning was like the process of editing.  Not a new thought for me, as I often think of how like pruning editing is for me.  How is this?  you ask.

How pruning/editing is like editing/pruning – (Please feel free to switch the words edit and prune, as well as tree and manuscript at will)

1. The more you prune (edit), the easier it is to see the structure of the tree (manuscript).

2. Because of this, it is the first cuts that are the most difficult.

3. The more one prunes, the easier and the better a pruner one is.

4. You will save time making big cuts.  Editing all the little branches (adverbs, etc.) then seeing that it is really the large branch (chapter) that has no business being there is frustrating, but sometimes necessary.

5. You are afraid you're going to mortally wound your tree (book) at every turn.  But even if you make a few poorly chosen cuts, the tree will grow back, you can always write more.

6.  A manuscript that allows air and thought to move through its narrative (branches) is not only more beautiful, but more productive and healthier than a tome heavy with dead words, unnecessary description and weak crotches (segue).

Finally – 7. Ultimately, it feels great to not only look at the pared down finished product, but also to view the huge pile of dead chaff you've removed from your baby…and know that all that growth (writing) was not wasted.  It will break down, compost, and provide new growth (ideas).  Happy writing!