Revision
How to Decide What to Cut from Your Novel
Deciding what to cut from a novel is one of the toughest parts of revision. Your attachment to your words and ideas is natural, and it’s a sign you care deeply about your story. It’s common to feel uncertain about what stays and what goes when you want your novel to be its best.
Direct answer
Start by identifying the core of your story—its main plot, themes, and emotional throughlines. Anything that doesn't move this core forward or deepen your characters should be flagged as a candidate for cutting. Ask yourself if each scene, chapter, or character serves a clear purpose. If not, it’s likely weighing your story down.
Look for redundancies and slow spots where the pacing stalls or information is repeated. Sometimes, subplots or descriptions that once excited you can distract from your main narrative. Be honest about which parts readers might skim or skip. Cutting what feels ‘nice to have’ but isn’t essential can make your story stronger and more engaging.
Get feedback from trusted readers or a book coach who can offer an outside perspective. They can help you spot areas where the story lags or where your intentions aren’t clear. This input can give you the confidence to make cuts that feel difficult but necessary. Remember, trimming is about making room for what truly matters in your novel.
What this looks like in practice
Early draft stage
You’ve just finished your first draft and feel attached to every scene.
You hesitate to cut anything because each part feels important and you’re unsure what’s essential.
You begin to see your story’s core and recognize which scenes support your main goals, making it easier to let go of extras.
Revision stage
You’re revising and notice parts of your novel drag or confuse readers.
You struggle to decide if sections should stay or be removed, fearing loss of depth or clarity.
With a clearer sense of your story’s purpose, you confidently cut or condense material that doesn’t advance your plot or character development.
Before querying or publishing
You want your manuscript to be as tight and polished as possible before submission.
You second-guess whether your novel is lean enough, worried about cutting too much or too little.
Having evaluated your story with feedback and coaching, you trust your cuts and feel prepared to present a focused, compelling manuscript.
How Story Salon helps
At Story Salon, we help writers untangle these decisions by looking closely at what your story needs to thrive. Through personalized coaching, we guide you in identifying what to keep, what to cut, and how to reshape your novel into its most compelling form.