The ability to make things shorter is [one of] the most integral part[s] of writing.

One of the things I do is I'll wrtite a 20 page story. Perfect it. Make it real pretty. And then I slice it down to 10, then 5, then 2.
(SPOILER)My 5 pager usually doesn't come out too impressive, but I love my short shorts to death

But the point is that the ability to erase anything that isn't perfect is key. If you're not satisfied, or, if I'm not satisfied, it's usually that there's something weak in my piece that I want to hold on to.

Then I kill it. And everything works out.