Lousy-writer me: I just wrote this scene that was, like, so much fun. These two characters are playing in a creek.
The other me: So what?
Lousy-writer me: Well, I mean, they're playing in this creek. And they're catching crawdads and minnows and all.
The other me: So what?
Lousy-writer me: There's this great dialogue. It's really funny and sort of character-developing.
The other me: So what?
Lousy-writer me: There's some really good descriptions of the setting - ferns and rocks and running water.... The water's cold and gurgling - and the ferns are all green and ferny - and...
The other me: So what?
Lousy-writer me: I'm starting to hate you.
The other me: Oh, pipe down. Just answer this, would you? Does the scene have a purpose?
Lousy-writer me: Um, no.... but I like it. And I worked on it a long time.
The other me:Does the scene contribute to the story?
Lousy-writer me: No....but I like it.
The other me:Does the scene move the story forward?
Lousy-writer me: No...but...
The other me:If you ripped that scene to shreds and stuffed it down the garbage disposal, would anybody miss it?
Lousy-writer me: Alright, alright...I get the point.
And so, lousy-writer-me slinks away to jam three hours of her day down the garbage disposal.
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