The First Draft's Farewell

Writer finishes first draft. 90,000 words. Celebrates.

Editor returns it: "Cut 30,000 words."

Writer: "Which ones?"

Editor: "The bad ones."

Writer: "They're all my children."

Editor: "Then you have 30,000 ugly children."

Writer deletes 30,000 words. Sends revision.

Editor: "Better. Now cut 20,000 more."

Writer: "I only have 60,000 left."

Editor: "Exactly."