Editing is part of the writing process.

Someone once said that writing is really re-writing. That’s the truth. The first things you write will rarely see the light of day. That’s because you will revise, edit, cut, trim and add to your prose.

It is hard to delete words and sections. However, if deleting 1,000 words would make your book better, then that’s what you must do. Don’t mourn the loss of those 1,000 words. They gave their lives so that your book will help other people. It’s a worthy sacrifice. Honor those words – and move on.

Sometimes, I’m prouder that I cut 1,000 words from the manuscript than I am when I have written 1,000 words.

In fact, I trimmed 100 words from the original version of this article! The message is stronger.