Having always been a writer that edits up, adding to the word count with every pass through, it's a bit of an odd experience for me to have to take each scene and think, 'Does this actually matter? Does it move the story forwards?' But that is what I'm having to do. 'Will the loss of this scene really affect the story? 'Does this paragraph need to be there?' It makes me really think about where the story is going and which parts are most important. I suppose after I've finished with the paragraphs and scenes, it might well be, 'Is this word essential?'
If I make the count, it might not be a good story anymore, or it might be a better one. Whatever happens, but I think it has been a valuable experience. I can't wait to finish and see which way it has gone. Maybe I'll get to fall in love again. Or, if it's been mangled, perhaps not. But nothing is set in stone. It's just an exercise while my brain comes up with a new story to tell.
Wish me luck. I'm going in!