4. Don’t be afraid to delete passionately

4. Don’t be afraid to delete passionately. Don’t think of deleting as “taking away” or “breaking down.” Think of it as an act of bravery that “makes room” and “sets a foundation for expansion.” If you’re not 100% sure a scene or a line is working, get rid of it completely. Don’t even look at it again (of course, you may want to save it somewhere for future reference).

By starting with a truly blank slate, you’re either going to discover something totally new and wonderful, or you’ll find out that you had it right the first time.