As writers, we often hear the advice, “Kill your darlings”—which means cutting those sentences, scenes, or ideas you’re particularly fond of, even if they don’t serve the story. It’s a well-known piece of wisdom, often attributed to Stephen King, but it’s not always as simple as it sounds. In fact, in some cases, this popular advice can actually hold you back and cause you to second-guess your creative instincts.
In this article, we’ll explore why “killing your darlings” might not always be the best approach and how to balance that with preserving the parts of your story that make it uniquely yours.
1. Why Writers Are Obsessed with Killing Their Darlings
Why It’s Important:
“Killing your darlings” is intended to help writers cut unnecessary or indulgent material—whether that’s a scene that doesn’t move the plot forward or a character whose purpose isn’t clear. The idea is to eliminate anything that distracts from the story’s core. In theory, this makes for a tighter, more focused narrative. But in practice, this approach can sometimes cause writers to take out the very things that give their script personality and voice.
What to Do:
- Question Whether You’re Cutting for Clarity or Conformity: Before you cut something that feels important, ask yourself why it’s there in the first place. Is it holding back the story, or does it add depth, emotion, or personality that could get lost if removed?
- Keep What Makes Your Voice Unique: Sometimes, your “darlings” are the things that make your story stand out. If a particular scene or line feels crucial to the heart of the story, don’t throw it away just because you’ve been told it’s not essential. Focus on intent—does this scene serve the overall narrative or convey your unique voice as a writer?
Example: In The Big Lebowski, the film’s oddball, dreamlike sequences and quirky dialogue could have easily been cut for the sake of clarity or pacing, but those very moments are what give the film its cult appeal and unique charm.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about cutting something, take a break, then revisit it with fresh eyes. Does it still feel essential to the story or to your character’s arc? Sometimes, the things you love the most are the key to making your script stand out.
2. Trusting Your Instincts: Don’t Be Afraid to Keep What Works
Why It’s Important:
A significant part of being a successful writer is trusting your own instincts. If you feel a scene is crucial, then it likely is—especially if it enhances the character development, theme, or tone of the story. Writing is a balance between following traditional structure and embracing your own creative flair. If you’re constantly second-guessing your “darlings,” you might end up with a script that feels more generic than authentic.
What to Do:
- Write with Confidence: When writing, give yourself permission to keep things that feel right, even if they don’t fit the typical screenplay structure or conventions. The beauty of writing is that it’s personal; your “darlings” are part of what makes the script yours. Don’t discard them out of fear of breaking the rules.
- Know When to Fight for Your Vision: If your script has a moment that you absolutely believe in but others suggest cutting it, consider whether that part of the script is important to the overall message or emotion you want to convey. Sometimes, you need to fight for the moments that make your script unique.
Example: Pulp Fiction is filled with unconventional scenes, like the long, drawn-out conversation about hamburgers. These scenes could easily have been cut to streamline the script, but instead, they give the movie its unique rhythm and unexpected charm.
Pro Tip: Focus on what resonates with you, not just what is conventionally expected. Sometimes, the moments that feel risky are the ones that make your script stand out.
3. Emotional Attachment vs. Practicality: Finding the Balance
Why It’s Important:
It’s natural to get attached to parts of your script. Maybe it’s a line of dialogue that made you laugh when you first wrote it, or a scene that you’re proud of because it was difficult to write. However, emotional attachment doesn’t always align with practicality. The key is knowing when to hold on to your “darling” and when to let go.
What to Do:
- Separate Emotional Attachment from Practical Need: Before deciding to cut something, look at it objectively. Does it help move the plot forward, develop your characters, or heighten the conflict? Or is it there just because you like it? Be honest about whether it serves the story or if it’s just taking up space.
- Keep What Serves the Story: Sometimes, those emotional attachments are valid because the content deepens the theme, builds character depth, or contributes to the emotional arc. If the scene or line of dialogue adds real value—keep it.
Example: In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the emotional weight of scenes like Frodo’s departure from the Shire could have easily been trimmed for pacing. However, those emotional moments set the tone and foundation for the entire trilogy.
Pro Tip: Ask yourself whether the scene or line moves the audience emotionally or intellectually. If it does, it’s likely worth keeping—even if it doesn’t follow the most efficient path.
4. Cut the Fat, Not the Heart
Why It’s Important:
While it’s important to eliminate scenes that don’t contribute to the plot or character development, this doesn’t mean you have to cut every scene that’s emotionally significant. Sometimes, writers get so caught up in “killing darlings” that they cut the very heart of their script. The key is to trim the fat, not the essence of your story.
What to Do:
- Focus on Efficiency: Tighten up your writing by eliminating unnecessary exposition, redundant moments, or overly descriptive passages that don’t move the story forward. The heart of your script—the core scenes that drive character growth and plot progression—should remain intact.
- Streamline Without Losing Substance: If a scene feels too long, or a character’s backstory feels forced, consider trimming them, but keep the emotional weight. Efficiency doesn’t mean emotional distance—it means cutting unnecessary clutter without losing the core of the narrative.
Example: In The Godfather, scenes are often long, but they serve multiple purposes: they build tension, develop character relationships, and emphasize the overarching theme of power and loyalty. There’s no fat; every scene is essential to the story’s progression.
Pro Tip: If a scene is important but feels too long, find ways to streamline it without sacrificing the emotional or thematic beats. Cutting unnecessary dialogue or action can often solve pacing problems without losing depth.
5. Rewriting Is Your Friend—But Only After the First Draft
Why It’s Important:
Rewriting allows you to see your work with fresh eyes and identify areas where you can strengthen the story. However, constantly revising before finishing the first draft can paralyze you. It’s important to get the full story down first, before returning to your “darlings” and making hard decisions.
What to Do:
- Embrace the First Draft: Write freely and let the ideas flow, without worrying too much about perfection. Afterward, you can assess which parts of your script are crucial and which need refining or cutting.
- Use Rewriting to Strengthen, Not Just Trim: In the rewrite stage, focus on improving the parts that matter most to your story. Strengthen your protagonist’s arc, develop themes further, or tighten the dialogue. This is your chance to refine your work and preserve the best aspects of your script.
Example: Jurassic Park went through many rewrites before it became the blockbuster it is today. While some scenes were cut for pacing, others were expanded to emphasize the characters’ emotional stakes and the dangers they faced.
Pro Tip: Don’t fear rewriting. It’s a tool for honing your script, not a sign that you’ve failed. Use it to make your darlings even stronger.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Killing Darlings—It’s About Knowing What to Keep
The key to writing a memorable script isn’t about blindly following the advice to “kill your darlings.” It’s about understanding the difference between what serves your story and what doesn’t. Don’t be afraid to keep the parts of your script that are important to you, but also be willing to cut what doesn’t work. The best scripts are the ones where every scene, line of dialogue, and moment matters.
