Writing and Killing Unicorns
What does it mean to be a writer? Am I bragging if I tell people I am a writer? Am I a failure or scared if I don't? Writing and Killing Unicorns is a raw and unapologetic look into what it means to be a writer and how a crumbling world could affect the craft and the writer, hosted by me, Karen. Hollywood would have us believe books can be written in five minutes-that inspiration is this magical creature. It's time for those lies to die. Writing is hard, and scary, and fun, and healing. I will discuss the joys and fears of being a creative with the written word in a world that is literally crumbling at the seams. Through self-understanding, research and the help of people in the business, let's learn together. And remember: if you have a pen in your hand, no matter what, you're write.
Writing and Killing Unicorns
The Darling Dilemma: Jo Salazar’s Guide to Tough Cuts
Editing—every writer’s necessary evil. In this episode of Writing and Killing Unicorns, I sit down with author Jo Salazar to discuss one of the most painful and crucial parts of the writing process: killing your darlings. Whether it’s a beautifully written scene, a beloved character, or a line of dialogue that just doesn’t fit, knowing when to cut and how to do it can make or break a story.
Jo shares her own experiences with tough edits, offering insight into how to recognize what’s holding your story back and how to push forward without losing its heart. Along the way, she and I also dive into writing outside our comfort zones, crafting characters whose experiences differ from our own, and the art of balancing creativity with discipline.
In this episode, we discuss:
📝 What killing your darlings really means and why it’s so difficult
✂️ The first time Jo had to make a tough cut and how it shaped her writing
🔍 How to identify darlings that need to go—questions to ask yourself during edits
💔 The emotional side of editing and strategies for detaching from beloved scenes
📖 Writing characters with different lived experiences—how to approach it authentically
📌 The value of beta readers, editors, and outside feedback in shaping a story
🔄 Deciding whether to cut a scene entirely or rework it to fit the narrative
💡 Why keeping a scrap folder might save your favorite darlings for another story
And of course, I ask Jo: If she could interview any character from The Dead Weight, who would it be and what would she ask? (No spoilers, of course!)
If you’ve ever agonized over cutting a scene you love or struggled with making bold editorial choices, this episode is for you (and me, friend).
Episode Links & Resources:
📖 The Dead Weight by Jo Salazar – Amazon l goodreads
📌 Follow Jo Salazar – IG: @_jo_salazar_
Author Website: Jo Salazar
Remember: There are no shortcuts to writing. Only the craft.
