by Peggy Bechko
Cutting? As in shortening the length of your masterpiece? Why would you do that? What does it matter really?
Well, it matters a whole lot. If a magazine says maximum length is 2,500 words and not one more, no exceptions, the editor probably means it. Screen script? Max of 120 pages (yes there are a whole lot of ways to cheat, but it won’t win you any friends if you do), novel 100,000 words – if they say it they mean it.
If there is a stated limit it might well be the first thing the editor/reader/publisher looks at. Over limit, the hard work of hours, days weeks, could well get tossed without a backward glance. Yes, there are exceptions, but why go there?