In my years as a freelance writer, one of the biggest problems I've had to face over and over again is recognizing when I need to let go of a section, a character, a favorite passage in a manuscript, in order to make the whole thing work better.

Years ago I read some advice an author gave his would-be-writer readers. He said words to the effect of, "Nine times out of ten, the one thing you love in your manuscript so much you could never see yourself changing it is the very thing you should change."

This made me mad. Why should writing be about denying myself the pleasure of keep a favorite passage in my story? Isn't pleasing myself the first job of any writer?

Well, yes and no. It is true that I need basic respect for my writing skills, and a basic trust in my artistic judgment. If I don't, who will? On the other hand, as far as the finished product is concerned, I have come to believe, reluctantly, that pleasing my chosen readership has to be my number 1 goal.

Can I please every reader? Nope, nor should I attempt to. On the other hand, archly declaring, "I am an ARTIST! I care NOTHING for what the Great Unwashed may think of my work, I must be true to my unique vision!" means that eventually, you are headed for a really big letdown.

My focus as a writer ought to be finding a way to build a bridge in my writing between my internal vision for my work and my audience's desire for an emotional experience. Feel free to disagree!