Read more: https://tinhouse.com/murder-your-darlings/
TIL “Murder your darlings,” is a popular piece of writing advice that is often attributed to William Faulkner, but which can actually be traced back to the English writer and surname collector Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch.
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What is a surname collector?
Kill your darlings
I usually hear it as “kill your babies.”
>Then you can sit on your throne drinking port and stroking your humongous beard while up in her chamber your brain queen wails bitterly and curses the day that you ever signed up for that creative writing workshop at the community center.
All aboard the meta-train.
I don’t know if it’s a direct descendent or just an unrelated phrase of the same sentiment, but I’ve heard “Delete your art” as a 21st century equivalent.