Earlier this week I submitted a four chapter manuscript to an editor for review. Yesterday she sent it back with a note that she didn’t have the time to edit my manuscript. She indicated that I should take some college courses on writing, and she did go through the first four pages with some suggestions. A few of the suggestions were manuscript formatting that I didn’t know. For example, new dialogue and new speakers require new paragraphs – always and Always spell out numbers lower than one hundred, unless they are street, highway or house numbers. Some of these kinds of things, I guess we learn along the way.
She then told me that the book was just not ready for an editor or publisher. I had the book critique by a couple of readers who were impress with the book, and made recommended changes, so when I sent the manuscript to this editor, I was feeling confident that it would work. I expected that there probably would be some additional editing and rewriting, that is what we do isn’t it? So, what is a person to do? Should I put it away and continue to work on a different one for a while? Should I immediately go in and make all the necessary corrections and edits that she suggested and rewrite the book? Should I take classes? Should I read books of writing fiction and manuscript writing? Should I try to get in a critique group through MMRWA? Should I find a critique partner? Probably all of the above huh? After my little boo hoo section and feeling sorry for myself, I felt encouraged by my MMRWA group to continue onward. So, that’s what I’m looking to do. I did order myself some books to read on fiction writing, and I will see if anyone is interested in starting a critique group or if I could join a critique group at MMRWA, I will probably look at the manuscript again later and, I found an author who just wrote a really good book I read recently, who is willing to look at the first four chapters of my manuscript. It looks like I’m on the way. Right now, I’m going to read a book from another author that promises to be an enjoyable read, and I’ll wait until the books I ordered come in and start to dig into them for some information to help me along the way. Now, if I can just find some chocolate to go with some wine. . . . .
2 Comments
5/31/2013 02:22:27 pm
Yep, you're right, Connie. All of the above, lol! Seriously, though, it's a learning process and reading the books you've ordered will be a good start. That the editor took the time to make notes on your ms. is a good sign for sure.
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Anne
8/13/2013 07:05:38 pm
Start with a college class on basic composition then move on to fiction writing. A composition course will give you practice in sentence structure and grammar (and a teacher that will act as "editor" so you'll learn a lot very quickly). The classes only run a few months and are relatively inexpensive at a community college. A single class will still leave you time to work on your book, too. While it may seem disappointing now, it’s just a stepping-stone to your dreams. Don’t give up!
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