So I’m trying to finish up the sequel to To Sleep. It’s a good book, in my humble, totally unbiased opinion. When I decided it was getting too big, it was roughly about 120K.
I went through it, really looking at the scenes. Which one belongs, which one doesn’t. I eliminated some characters. I eliminated some scenes. And when I was finished, it was 126K. Yes, it grew.
I then listed all the major events that happen. Then I filled in the events (scenes, really) that lead up to each major event. I am very, very, very visual so seeing the list helped. I trimmed a huge section. My cut file has grown by over 6K words. The book has a better feel so far. I’m on page 264, a little under half way.
But, dammit to heckaroni, the damn thing is getting BIGGER! What the hell? It is now at just under 128K.
I am really hoping that it will start shrinking soon. I didn’t want to do a third book. I may have to, just to make this one light enough to carry.
I wanted some events to happen by now but they aren’t fitting in just yet.
Anyway, just wanted to say I am still writing.
Have you got OpenOffice saving changes so you can un-do deletes? That could be one reason its getting bigger. But on the other hand . . .