Movie deleted scenes

I was watching “The Devil Wears Prada” tonight and at the end, we viewed the deleted scenes. Normally when I watch deleted scenes on a DVD, it’s pretty obvious why they were cut from the movie. Often they’re redundant or they don’t add anything to the overall story. But for the first time, I found myself wishing they had left the scenes in. There were gaping holes in the story that were suddenly filled in by the deleted scenes. Crucial plot points were taken out (e.g. why the heroine got promoted–the motivation behind it.). I couldn’t believe it.

Deleting scenes, for me, is a painful process. On the first draft, no page comes easily. In fact, I’m beginning to see why writing more books makes you a stronger author. You can’t use the same pet phrases in book after book. Each time you have to reinvent your descriptions, find new ways to make a scene come alive, and tap into the emotions. After a time, it forces you to reach deep inside and pull even more out of yourself. Chocolate helps.

It’s much easier for me to delete pages after the first draft is done. At that point, I know I’m ready to start fleshing things out, and it always comes out right. Hack out 20 pages? No problem. Drop in the bucket. But when you only have 116 pages, 20 pages is like cutting off your arm. So often I’ll make notes to myself–cut xyz scene later.

I’m still learning how to cut out redundant information. And on that first draft, I have caught myself doing an information dump or even what many affectionately term: “As you know, Bob…” (Example: A character reveals their backstory to another character….”As you know, Bob, I lost my first wife in the battle, chased after her, and ultimately she was burned to a crisp in a fire…”) :blahblah: One of my favorite ways to reveal information is through an argument. At least then, the information is active and can be used as ammunition. That’s fun.

I hit page 122 on the new book today. It’s getting there, 3 pages a day. Sometimes more if the story’s cooking. I like to cut off in the middle of a sentence, so it gives me a good place to get started the next day.

At the moment I’m enjoying a new author, Lyn Randall. If you get a chance to check out Warrior or Wife, it’s a great read. I haven’t finished it yet, but she writes a fast-paced Roman-set historical. Great characters, twisting plot, and a female gladiator. Lots of fun!