Murdering my darlings

I just cut 2500 words out of Lions' Pride--scenes I loved.

But they were from the point of view of a secondary character and I woke up at 5 AM with the astonishingly clear realization that, though they were well-written and interesting in themselves, they interfered with the flow.

I'd kind of known that all along, but I was so amused by that character's voice that I kept them in regardless. I've saved them. Once the book sells (positive thinking is important!), I'll post them somewhere as outtakes.

Speaking of Lions' Pride, I got my first partials out yesterday. About time, no? I'm still tweaking here and there, but my little (okay, almost 100K) baby's meeting the world!