I’ve been editing Book 2 in my shape-shifting dragon series. Cutting scenes is never easy. Most of the time it requires wine and some form of chocolate. You can see my editing survival kit in the photo below. And yes, that is the large party size bag of m&m’s. Don’t judge me.

Here is a scene from Going Down In Flames which didn’t make it into the book. I liked the humor in it, but it didn’t “move the story forward” which is one of those editing terms that makes me shove a handful of m&m’s into my face.

A knock on the bedroom window stirred Bryn from a dream. Disoriented, she was surprised to find Ivy climbing in the window.

“It’s dinnertime. Want to go to the dining hall with us?”

Bryn nodded. “Give me a minute.”

“No hurry,” Ivy said. “It’s Sunday. I refuse to rush anywhere on a Sunday.”

“Ignore her,” Clint said. “Lunch was hours ago.”

Ten minutes later, Bryn was presentable. When she walked into the living room, a third person had joined their group. The sight of his spiked hair made her heart beat faster.
“Did you have a fun day?” Zavien asked.

“I did.” She was proud of the things she’d done on her own. “I finished my homework and—”

Clint cut her off with a moan. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those annoying types that do homework before Sunday night.”

Ivy gave him a superior grin. “Play is more fun when all your work is done.”

He rolled his eyes. “My mother used that line on me for years. It never worked. Fun is fun no matter if your homework is done or not.”

They exited through Bryn’s window, shifted on the terrace, and flew to the dining hall. When she saw the buffet stocked with Chinese food, she did a small happy dance.

Zavien looked at her like she was mental.

“What? I like Chinese food.” She filled her plate with pot stickers, moo shu chicken, and egg rolls. “Back home, we had Chinese food once a week. I miss it. Is that a crime?”

“Nope.” He grinned. “I’ve never known anyone who likes food as much as you.”

She ignored his comment and followed Clint and Ivy to their normal table. Once seated, she noticed half the tables were empty. “Where is everyone?”

“Most students eat dinner in Dragon’s Bluff on Sunday,” Clint said.

“I prefer going out to lunch.” Ivy plucked the carrots from her vegetable fried rice.

“Why are you doing that?” Bryn asked.

Clint cleared his throat. “Allow me to explain the laws of vegetables according to Ivy. Raw carrots are good. Cooked carrots are disgusting.”

“Mushy and disgusting,” Ivy corrected.

Bryn sucked down three egg rolls before she realized Zavien was smirking at her. Since she had his attention, maybe she could find out who he’d spent his day with. “Do anything fun today?”

“No. I stayed in my room all day and worked on my research paper.”

Woo Hoo. He hadn’t spent the day with Nola.