No, no. No, it’s not what you think…
Of course, we’re not talking about your lovers or sweethearts.
No, it’s not your little precious baby, either.
Kill your darlings can be painful…but it’s good for you – in the end.
Read on to know which darlings you must seek to kill...
1. Killing The Writer’s Darlings
When the fine writing or superb phrase that does nothing to the story.
Authors poured their hearts out – whether it’s a paragraph of beautiful description or a scene depicted graphically – it bleeds to delete their best bits of writing darlings. It’s like killing their babies.
Every writer has to pass the test of their executioner (editor) who mercifully ‘cut and chopped’ every inappropriate part – to stand a better chance accepted by publisher’s agent.
This, writers find it hard to part their cherished writings, yet they have to kill their darlings – to see their dreams on the publisher’s desk.
But there’s another – the darlings, we must determine and resolve to kill…
2. Killing Our Fantasied Darlings
As readers, we fall in love with our characters. We seek to engage in stories of their lives.
Many have fallen in love with Heretic. You engage him in stories of his life – the good, the bad, and the ugly. You look up to him for leadership and guidance – cultivating an intimate relationship that you find difficult to disengage.
As foodies, you’ve gone the extra mile enthusiastically taking up food foraging for the best cuisine in town; embark on a quest to satiate his desire – to please him.
So, it’s quite natural for you to get hurt and feel the pain when your hero gets debarred from his official duties, for unacceptable behavior.
It’s understandable.
It’s understandable.
As much as you knew the dark sides of Heretic, his dark woman, and his sidekicks, the Crow couple –they brought curses to your lives. The hearts bitter anguish still linger, even after all the tears have dried.
Like the writers’ predicament, you find it hard to part with your cherished characters.
The sticky situation that you faced in secret is visible now to all.
You’ve to come to terms with the dilemma – the moment of truth.
But you’ve a choice.
Killing Our Darlings Who Betrayed Us
We adored them with shared dream and vision, but they have to go.
They don’t belong to us anymore.
They once played an important part in our lives, but along the way they strayed; abused and misled many to fight the God we loved. They had changed the narrative, bogging down and detracting from the true story for our lives.
As much as we want them in our life story, we have to take them out. From our lives, anyway. We will have to rewrite our own story, without them.
They messed up and brought nightmares to our lives – we need to cut and chop them.
Like a skillful editor – astute and discerning, able to detect with critical eyes to help improve readability, putting the context in perspective for an interesting read.
You too would be well-advised and circumspect to choose who you mix that will impact your life destiny.
Think for a moment. Do you still sympathize with them who came to steal, kill, and destroy your soul?
What would you do to them you cared who betrayed your trust?
What’s Good for the Goose Is Not Always Good For The Gander…
We are reminded of the scripture: Isaiah 5:20 – Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that count darkness as light, and light as darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Although given opportunities to witness and experience the works and miracles of God, yet Heretic, his Dark Woman, Crow Couple, and the Gang of four (G4) mocked at God’s sanctification.
They refused to amend their ways. Instead, they rebelled, challenged, and resisted God and His authority.
Heretic introduced heresies and dark practices to mislead and destroy your souls – with Crow couple in tow. Are they still your darlings?
What is good for one (Heretic and gang) may not be good for you.
They served their own private agenda.
Everyone has to account for their own choice and action.
Kill Your Darlings!
By chance, God forbids; if you still sympathize or miss them, then, you have yourself to blame. Many still struggled – refused to cut ties.
If you never learned from the bitter experience, the ordeal will return to haunt you. No one will sympathize with you in your affliction.
Shun these evil doers at any cost. Avoid them like the plague.
Stop your pains… and be bold.
Kill your darlings!
