The Wizard's Writing Tip: Let Your Manuscript Rest

The power of letting a manuscript rest gives you the ability to cut and scrap large chunks of what you once thought were necessary. 

I learned this in Stephen King's book, On Writing, and from personal experience with various manuscripts. When you're working on a novel, you're so close and attached to it, that the thought of parting with any sentence is out of the question. 

 

You simply cannot keep everything. 

You must tighten, revise, and polish your work. Putting your manuscript in a drawer, or taking a time out to work on something new lets you separate yourself and revisit it with fresh eyes. 

So, give it a try, take out that red pen, and get to work! 

Find more writing tips here.