It's interesting that we all seem to have rules and criteria to use to decide what to keep in and what to throw out. But often we're not the best ones to make that decision (at least not on our own). Our view of the story we write is skewed by our whole knowledge and history of every character, every sub-plot, and every detail of the world. I think an outside opinion is invaluable.
So I generally keep it all in the first draft (I still try to be economical, keep the plot moving, etc.). But one of the main things I want from beta readers are what to cut - tell me what parts were not necessary or distracted from the story. If they love the sidebar then maybe it should stay; if not, it's gone.
So I generally keep it all in the first draft (I still try to be economical, keep the plot moving, etc.). But one of the main things I want from beta readers are what to cut - tell me what parts were not necessary or distracted from the story. If they love the sidebar then maybe it should stay; if not, it's gone.