Creating the Will You Love Me Again Series didn't come as an easy feat. But does writing ever come easy? No, it doesn't. The writing process comes with many hardships along the way from the initial idea to the book being published. Writing a book is hard, thrilling, and an amazing experience. I wouldn't trade the struggles for anything. Without the struggles and bad days, I wouldn't have the books I have now.
What was so hard about the writing process? Cutting scenes was one of the most difficult parts of the editing stage. I had grown so fond of my words and the backstories I wanted to share that letting them go was hard. I didn't want to, but in the end, all authors do what is best for the book's overall outcome.
Today, I want to share a scene that didn't make it past round one. I want to show a glimpse of Lucy and Aaron's friendship and why he is so protective of her in the book. Aaron doesn't get much space in the book, but this scene stays as his. Right here is where readers now get to see a little glimpse into his personality. The time before he was dating and later married Jenny. He was just a boy with a crush on his best friend needing advice from his other best friend. A simple time under a tree in Lucy's backyard.
In the article, A Family Affair: Deleted Scene, I reveal one of my favorite scenes that didn't make the final cut. But there were plenty more parts that didn't make it through the many rounds of edits my book went through for 10 months (and there were A LOT). The one I am referencing didn't even make it past the first round because I needed to cut words and it didn't fit as well as other scenes. I look back on this part, from my original draft, and I'm like wow, I wrote that.
“One. More. Minute-e-e!” Aaron squeezes us while whining like a little boy. Yet, I have to admit, he is kind of precious. He always has been since day one. Our friendship is so important to me, even more so when he finally revealed his feelings for Jenny. I remember the occasion as if he told me yesterday. Back in January 2013, a day that will go down in history forever, Aaron and I arrived at our hangout place before Jenny and David.
“Oh, hey Aaron! I guess we are the first ones here.” I look around my parent’s background as I lean on the big oak tree.
“Well, you do live here, Lucy.” He laughs and sits beside me.
I blush, “I knew that!” I swat his arm. He acts as if I have just hit him with a nerf bullet, he falls to the side and groans. “Oh, poor thing!” I say in my best baby talk and giggle.
“So rude!” He groans and holds his side as he sits back up to look at me.
“What?” I put my hands up in surrender. “It was a harmless swat.” He starts laughing uncontrollably. “What, why are you laughing? I will swat you again!”
“Okay, all right! Hold your fire! I surrender!”
“All right!” I put my hands in my lap. “I’m done.” I giggle.
“Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” But he doesn’t look cheery today. I tilt my head at him. “Are you okay? Other than my swatting that is.”
“Hm, maybe. I’m not sure.” He hesitates.
“I’m not sure I follow. What’s bothering you?”
“Not exactly bothering, per se. But, not exactly giving me an easy answer to if I should go ahead with what’s in my head or not.” He huffs.
“You have to give me more, Aaron. Is it a girl?” I see him blush a soft shade of red. “It’s a girl, isn’t it? Who is it? Do I know her? Is she nice? Do you really like her?”
“Lucy, chill! Do you want the whole street to hear you?”
“Oops!” I giggle. I knock down my volume and ask again, “Spill the beans, lover boy!”
He groans again. “Promise to keep my secret?” He holds up his pinkie, “Pinkie promise or I am keeping my lips sealed!”
We link pinkies and I say, “I promise to keep your secret.” I look him straight in the eyes, “Now spill!”
He leans back and closes his eyes, “I have a crush on Jenny.”
My jaw drops, “You have what? With who? With Jenny? Our Jenny?” I manage to ask him.
“Lucy, breathe.” He says as he opens his eyes to look at me. “Yes, our Jenny. Jenny Thompson. The same one that is walking over here, so zip it, please!” He begs me as Jenny makes her way to us.
“I promise.”
- Lucy's memory of Aaron, Originally in Chapter 4 (Bonjour, Friends)
Overall, parting with scenes is never easy. Sometimes it is absolutely heartbreaking to scrap such precious content for the sake of word count. Yes, that's why most of my scenes or short lines were cut during the editing and revision stages of my writing journey. Trust me, there were a lot of tears. But, the good news is that I can find new ways to share that extra content, such as this Article Series or even just my blog. I love sharing Lucy's story so why not share more with y'all. Stay tuned for more. For now, you'll have to wait and see what happens.
In this article series, I share excerpts and stories from my book, Where Will We Go? I hope you enjoyed this post — if you enjoyed it and want to connect you can reach me here via email: emilycraig.writer96@gmail.com or connect with me on social: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Also, you can also find my book on Amazon.