Can You Murder Your Darlings?

Any serious writer needs to do this!

Photo by Benjamin Balázs on Unsplash

I like to browse the latest advice for writers, and there’s plenty of it. When I read this gem, I realized although the words were different, this sentiment has come my way before. And it wasn’t pleasant.

“You need to murder your darlings.”

I felt indignant, upset, and in denial. How could a reviewer suggest there were…