Yesterday I submitted my next novel, Hero Rehearsals, to my publisher. I love the premise of a writer taking a citizen’s police academy class as research and falling for the cop who can’t take her seriously, but I really struggled with this book.
I have never deleted so many scenes from a novel. I have twenty-five pages of deleted scenes. They were bad, you guys. Like Star Wars: Episode II bad. We can be glad they’re gone, no matter how much time went into writing them.
However, some enjoyable lines did get removed along with the not-so-enjoyable scenes. It’s part of the editing process.
Just for fun, I thought I’d share a few of those gems like the bloopers at the end of a movie. I present the top ten deleted lines from Hero Rehearsals:
10. There’s no way I’m writing about a writer. That’s so overdone. Like we aren’t capable of coming up with a career other than our own? Like we have delusions of grandeur where we want to live vicariously through a more successful version of ourselves? This isn’t going to be a Sandra Bullock movie.
9. Her lips part then turn up to reveal her teeth in a toothpaste commercial smile, and I’m reminded that besides Big Red gum, Closeup toothpaste also offers a refreshing burst of cinnamon.
8. “I don’t break my toe rushing to open the door for just anybody.”
7. Karson won’t use lines on me. He uses the opposite of lines.
6. I don’t want a love triangle. Those are too romanticized.
5. My heart ticks like a timebomb.
4. I think it was good for my roommates to see Karson raise his hands in worship. It was definitely good for me. I loved the image of my law enforcement officer surrendering.
3. Stories aren’t meant to replace reality. They’re meant to inspire us to pursue our dreams. To believe in things yet unseen. To create a reality that we’ve never actually experienced. And I want to create that with him.
2. Love is a gamble, and once you lose a hand, it’s tempting to play it safe. But that also keeps you from winning the pot you wanted in the first place.
1. Heroes should be honored, not because they are better people, but because they make the world a better place.
Now the countdown begins for the release of Gemma’s story. I’m glad to be done writing the book, but I know there will be a lot more editing to do before I get to share it with you.
What’s a line from a novel that has stood out i
Ausjenny says
My current read the author did some memes of lines. I haven’t reached it yet but I know its soon. “No one ever died choking on icecream, or at least, she hoped not. And she had no ambition to be the first”
I cant wait to read it and see what else happens (they are going for icecream in the next chapter.
Lori R says
I can’t think of any now but I know there have been lines that have stood out to me.
RuthieH says
This is a really interesting insight into the process of writing! Were you tempted to save these good lines and maybe use them in another book? Or does it not work like that?
My memory is rubbish at the moment as I seem to be up all night with my 1 year old, so I can’t remember my favourite lines off hand – there are definitely moments when you’re reading something though and it just stops you because something rings so true, or it so perfectly puts into words a feeling or experience you’ve had but not been able to describe. Or you think something must be a quotation because it’s so perfectly put, but no, it’s just great writing so although it reads like it must have been said before, it hasn’t!
Lori Smanski says
There are so many wonderful statements from this book. Here is one. “We’ve had a short journey, but an eventful one. Tonight, its’s become clear to me. I believe that God put us together for a reason. I love you, and you’re the perfect person I want to share my love and my life with, for the rest of my days.” This and so many others are from: Preacher Man by Laurie Larsen. I loved this book so much, I had to share with other friends.
Andrea Conner says
Too bad you couldn’t have used the deleted lines elsewhere. Stood out line: And I’d rather lie in the woods and let chiggers eat me alive than depend on him. This LOL line is from a Kaci Lane RomCom.
Melynda says
I’m not really one who remembers lines, but I just finished reading Tacos for Two and every time there was a reference or quote from You’ve Got Mail, I automatically loved that scene. I guess I recognize lines even if I don’t remember them verbatim.
SARAH TAYLOR says
I can’t think of a line right now, but I know there have been many lines that have made me chuckle or even think about the lines I have read! Have a great day!
Trudy says
I usually don’t remember lines from books, but one that stood out for me in an ARC I read this week was “Now, you’re welcome to bid on the man you think is the best looking, or the basket that looks the most delicious.”
Jcp says
When I’m reading a historical, it pulls me out of the story if the characters use anchrorisms that did not exist in that time period.
Or a proofreader did not catch a character name change.
Anne Payne says
Yes!!! First lines can be soooo intriguing. The most recent one that totally captivated me is “When death came to visit, no one ever prepared tea and cookies.” This is an early review copy so I’m not sure if I can say what book it is yet.
Mike says
I liked both 4 and 1 but especially 1. I know the process of deleting, I also know that not every thought or idea lends itself to the overall story even when I think it’s a good thought. Sometimes deleting is hard to do but it amazes me how right it was to delete them to make the story better.
Priscila Perales says
I loved your #1, 3, & 4, and I love the concept of your story, so I’ll be adding it to my TBR list. :) A line that stood up to me from one of the ARCs I’m reading was this: “He leaned in close. She had no choice but to look him in the eye. “I’m not a murderer. But I would kill to lick that chocolate off your lip.””
PS: did something happen to the last line in your post?
Alicia Haney says
So much to do. So many decisions to make. Lord give me strength. This is from My Heart Weeps , it is a very good book.
Megan says
I’m so looking forward to this book! I’m terrible about remembering favorite lines from books. I always find a few here and there while reading that I want to remember but I forget all about trying to write them done because I get so caught up in finishing the story.
Angela says
That is fantastic!
Angela says
I love highlighting them!
Kendra Muonio says
I would have to look up the book and see what my favorite lines are cause I don’t remember lines .There’s a book with a line I had in my head then I forgot it if I have a favorite line maybe I need to start writing them down.
bn100 says
first line of pride and prejudice
bn100 says
pride and prejudice first line
Mary Preston says
Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…………………”
Debra Pruss says
Heroes should be honored is a great line. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Jessica B. says
I love your number 3 above. I really like the thought of stories inspiring the reader. I recently read Jan Karon’s A New song where Father Tim quoted the following Wordsworth line about the ocean, “The Mighty Being is awake, and doth with His eternal motion make, a sound like thunder, everlastingly.”
Aleah Cronk says
So many I keep a note for them on my phone!
Here are some:
“Ella’s heart shattered, even as joy attempted to string the pieces back together.”
– The lady and the lionheart by Joanne Bischof
When you’re at the end of your rope… tie a knot, and hang on tight!”
Barefoot Summer, by Denise Hunter
“Too often we cut away essential elements of ourselves, to fit into a mould, and discover those elements were vital to who we are, and our improvements have only made us more ordin’ry.”
-Lady Jayne Disappears (by Joanna Davidson Politano)
“You must bring your broken heart to God, or your broken heart will make you leave Him.”
– The Innkeeper’s Daughter, by Michelle Greip
“Running from the failure of my own expectations.” “Forgive myself for letting myself down.”
Susan may Warren, The Wonder of You, in the Christiansen family series
“Fiction was not always a lie, but a truth told in parallel to real life; a ‘pill’ of advice disguised in an easy to swallow tale.”
-Lady Jayne Disappears (by Joanna Davidson Politano)
“When your heart is yanked out, it’s hard to cram it back inside your chest again.” (Josh, 4 years after the death of his wife.)
Hidden Among the Stars, by Melanie Dobson
“How his presence seemed to cross the room and disarm me.”
Midnight on the River Grey, by Abigail Wilson
“The child truly had at least 4 arms, each of them out of control.”
The Noble Guardian, by Michelle Griep
“His hostess smiled as if she were an unwed maid of 20, instead of a Dowager with sagging jowels and a body running quickly to corpulence.”
Freedoms Light, by Colleen Coble
“What was it about Jack? Being with him filled her with anticipation, like they were always on the verge of a fascinating discovery. Like there was treasure locked up inside, and sooner or later Jack, or maybe she, was going to find the right key and surprise everyone. And Hattie wanted to be there for that moment.”
The Lieutenant’s Bargain by Regina Jennings
“The strength of the storm does not change Whose waves these are. There is One mightier still.”
– Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes
“There IS a Higher Authority… It never hurts to ask Him for help… Humility is a magnet for His affection.”
Rachel Hauck, The Fifth Avenue Story Society
“Bitterness is a cold companion.”
“One thing he’d learned over the years, trouble rode a fast horse.”
In His Arms, (Coming to America series, book 3) Robin Lee Hatcher
“Never criticize your beau. If it wasn’t for his faults he’d probably be courting someone else.”
A Suitor for Jenny, by Margaret Brownley
“‘High five, Matchstick Girl!’
…She slapped his hand and loved the way his smile lingered, holding her victory inside himself like a treasure.”
Set The Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes
“It’s tempting, but unwise, to compare ourselves to others. We have a tendency to glamorize their best qualities, and emphasize our worst.”
Kelly Goshorn, A Love Restored
“Everyone ought to have a brilliant, glorious rascal in their life at least once, right!?”
– Elizabeth Camden, Against the Tide
“And truly he’d been more open with me than I could ever have imagined, as if darkness dissolved boundaries that daylight outlined in stark detail.”
Connilyn Cossette, A Light on a Hill
[“As for courting, that can happen on either side of a wedding ring.”]
“A wise man knows courting never ends. A little effort on his part, cultivates a garden in her heart.”
– Cathy Marie Hake, Serendipity
“A man’s heart holds a secret chamber, where only one woman may enter; a place shaped only for her, to breathe life into the darkened recesses and drum out a unique rhythm never before heard.”
– J’nell Ciesielski, The Ice Swann
“An ache swirled inside, where her heart hung heavy in her chest, like a broken pendulum.”
– J’nell Ciesielski, The Ice Swann
Aladdin movie quote:
“The 4th of Neverary.”
My daughter, Emily –
“If I were to be in a movie, I could do the bloopers. That’s ALL I could do!” 😂
Angela says
This is the first time I’ve ever saved rather than deleted!
Angela says
So lovely.
Angela says
That is awesome!
Angela says
The best! I love quoting You’ve Got Mail.
Angela says
Fun! Thank you.
Angela says
Lol So cute.
Angela says
Ack! That’s why I don’t write historical.
Angela says
That’s awesome!!!
Your Daughter says
Thanks!
Angela says
That line is PERFECT!
Thanks for mentioning the issue with the last line. I was having computer issues and had to have the site administrator schedule the post for me. (Probably because I was on hotel wifi.)
I’ll see if I can fix it.
Angela says
Ooh… I like it.
Angela says
That’s a good thing! I like to highlight in Kindle.
Angela says
I bet it will come back to you when you need it. <3
Angela says
Epic.
Angela says
So memorable.
Angela says
You’re welcome! Glad you liked it.
Angela says
Beautiful.
Angela says
Thank you so much for sharing. I read these to my bestie over mimosas, and we are pondering the depth and beauty.
Also, about the rascal quote, she said, “That’s your Jim.” Lol
Angela says
Thank you so much for sharing. I read these to my bestie over mimosas, and we are pondering the depth and beauty.
Also, about the rascal quote, she said, “That’s your Jim.” Lol
Natalya Lakhno says
“Sometimes, I thought growing up in a small town was a bit like being in a group chat you never signed up for.”
Angela says
That is hilarious. What’s it from?
Angeline says
Oh, I had to think about this one. I usually highlight quotes from ARCs that I am reading with quotes that I loved. One of them is “I would rather have you for one day than not at all.”
Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds says
I can’t think of any at the moment, but usually there is at least one in each book.
Sabrina Templin says
The convenience store muffin was the size of a small child’s head ( I can’t quote it as i can’t member exactly how it was said but it made me laaaaaugh inside)
The book is Dandelion Meadows by Jen Spencer
Martha says
I think some great memorable lines come in stories that feature children. You never know what kids will say n real life or in a book.