-
The Editorial Dance: Finding the Right Editor
I talked with an editor earlier this week about my new novel, The Blue Marbles, a sff YA and found that editorial input comes in two forms–and these are so important to finding the right editor for your story. Positioning in the Market Place The first thing we talked about was our visions for the…
-
Major v. Minor Revisions: The Surprising Relationship between Draft #1 and Draft #2
When you revise, do you do minor surgery or major surgery on your novel? Most of us revise multiple times, but some revisions are bigger than others. I believe in making incremental changes, that is, getting it mostly right and then doing a series of tweaks. The change isn’t huge, but the results are important.…
-
Good-bye Confusing Subplot, Hello Book Contract
Guest post by Margo Dill It’s something we’ve heard if we belong to a critique group or have beta readers. “I really like your story, but. . .” Fill in the blank with suggested plot changes, readers’ confusion, flat characters, boring beginnings—you name it—I’ve heard it, and you probably have, too. So, when a member…
-
Creativity: 8 Ways to Keep the Stories Coming
If you want a career in writing, you must keep the stories coming. In the midst of life, with all its ups and downs, words need find their way onto paper. Here’s how to keep the characters talking to you. Create an office. Even if you don’t have a separate room, create some sort of…
-
To Revise or Not to Revise
I am facing a difficult revision, not because I don’t know what needs to be done or that I can’t do it. It’s just that I’m not sure I agree with the critiquer wholeheartedly. A novel revision has all sorts of questions attached: Who are you revising for? One certain reader/editor? To connect with readers…
-
First Readers v. Manuscript Critique
When you finish your draft, do you look for a manuscript critique or a first reader? They are different and serve different purposes. Manuscript Critique. The reader puts on his/her critical glasses and looks at your manuscript through that lenses. How does this story match up with the ideal novel? Of course, that assumes that…