I can't stress how important it is to do several re-writes of a manuscript! As I go back and reread what I've written after a several week - or several month - break from the story, I find all sorts of stuff I want to change or eliminate!
Bad writing is bad writing, and we are all guilty of it, so it's necessary to go back, to view the manuscript with a critical eye, not a fond one. Sure, you like the story. Sure, you love the characters, but what are the weak points? The things you've neglected, or the things you should have neglected?
Remember, you are only as strong as your weakest link.
Sometimes when I get carried away late at night I write some dumb shit, or overly pornographic shit. Then in the morning I reread it and think, "Yuk! I can't leave that in there!"
As important as the rewrite is being able to get someone else's opinion. Call up a couple of friends or email some acquaintances. Beg or bribe them to read your manuscript, and make sure you impress upon them the importance of their critique.
As them to circle, underline or highlight things they noticed that either work for them or don't work for them. Ask them to make a side note of all inconsistencies.
What I do is draw up a questionaire or quiz. I ask questions, they fill in the blanks. Then I ask them for comments at the end.
What I found was interesting - the men were more reliable, and they liked the romance and the sex. The women were more critical, and they liked the relationships between characters.
Who knew?
Thursday, July 27, 2006
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