I read an interesting article on editing. Well, not just editing, but how to do it effectively. Did you know that in “Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola filmed and edited thousands and thousands of feet of film. Mental Floss puts the footage at 1.5 million feet.” (1)
So, why did Coppola take so much footage?
He took that much footage so he’d have plenty of room for cutting. He could pick and choose what would make each scene the best possible.
This practice should be the same when writing fiction.
You might want to write more than you need so when you get into the editing phase, you can choose what will work and what won’t work for each scene. You’ll have plenty of content to make choices and get it just right.
Think of it like sculpting.
When sculptors start, they don’t begin with a perfectly shaped block of marble. They select one larger than necessary so they can chip away at it, removing what doesn’t serve the final vision. The same goes for writing—your first draft is raw material, and the editing process shapes it into something refined and powerful.
Embrace the abundance and mess.
Writing more than you need can feel daunting, but remember, the extra words aren’t wasted. They give you options, reveal hidden gems, and allow you to test different approaches. Sometimes, the parts you initially thought were “too much” might contain the spark your story needs.
Editing can be a discovery process.
When you write with abundance, editing becomes finding your story’s best version. You’re not just cutting for brevity—you’re uncovering depth, sharpening clarity, and enhancing emotional impact.
So, take a page from Coppola’s book: give yourself room to create, experiment, and refine. Editing isn’t just about trimming; it’s about transformation.
For more on editing, check out:
Editing a Children’s Book – 10 Tips Checklist for Authors
Revisions and Editing – Do a Verb and Word Check
3 Reasons Editing Should Come Before Self-Publishing
Reference:
(1) http://www.glimmertrain.com/bulletins/essays/b131boast.php
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, editor, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
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