I am in the process of shortening my manuscript to fit the allowed word count (of approximately 150,000 words.
Here’s a passage I just cut, as I suppose I say the same thing elsewhere:
The analysis of his writing inhibitions continues. He went to bed and began to read a book; just as he was about to turn off the light, he saw—as it often happened—how it should be done and made a note. But when he woke up in the morning, he felt “the pain. Not exactly what one would call pain, although it’s a physical sensation in the head. The best expression for it seems to me to be ‘intellectual despair.’ It’s impotence, mixed with a dreadful revulsion ... of having to get back to the task”. [i] A bit further down he begins again his attempt to understand the problem, delving into his knowledge of psychology. It is a “Similar situation to when I once laid down my hands in the middle of packing a[nd] couldn’t decide where to start. It appears to be an impairment of the will,” and the way to avoid it is by creating a situation wherein his conscious, willing mind is not trying to write. Then he is not the one who is writing; instead, the sentences stand outside of him and all he has to do is manipulate them.
If you think I should leave it in, let me know! Ha.
[i] T 682
I like it !
Anything that suggests how the sentences write themselves would be greatly appreciated!
So yes, leave it in.