Everyone yearns for that day when they type the last word of their manuscript and then stamp it with a big THE END! But sadly, we know the last word is usually the start of an even harder process.. REVISION!
We may take a few weeks off, come back and review. It's always great to look at a manuscript with fresh eyes. But it's important to get different perspectives as well. Whether it be from a writing group or other peers, the opinions of others are important.
I am a big fan of the independent editor. Mostly because I've been lucky enough to know a few great ones. From Lorin Oberweger at Free Expressions to Emma Dryden. Yes, there is a cost to their services but the benefit of professional fresh eyes is invaluable.
It doesn't matter if you're fifteen or fifty, revision is an important part of the writing process. The blog Two Teachers Writing does a great job of providing an outline of the importance of revision and how to entice kids to go through the process in their own writing. It's an article that I think is still relevant for those of us well beyond the high school years.
It's during this phase of revision that we also go through the crazy neurotic process of comparing ourselves to others. "OMG, I can't believe I wrote that crap." seems to be something I hear myself saying often. Especially with all the Facebook groups and industry communities that we tend to be a part of, another person's success is often taken as our own personal failure. Emma Dryden's post is a nice reminder that we don't have to play that game.
Finally, a little bit of release news. I'm so proud of editor and friend Lorin Oberweger and the release of the third book in her BOOMERANG series BOUNCE! Written under the pen name Noelle August with New York Times Best Selling Author Veronica Rossi, new adult novel BOUNCE follows Skylar and Grey who's budding relationship is anything but another girl goes gaga and drools over boy kind of book. Check it out here!
For those of us on the East coast, we're just now starting to breath a sigh of relief as six foot snowbanks make way for bright sunny skies and warmer weather. So what better time to take a look at that manuscript you're working on with fresh eyes and a new perspective.
One way is to take a look at your manuscript and it's potential audience. Are you speaking to the Millennial generation? If so, then you should make sure you're addressing their needs. While this article in Marketplace speaks more to overall marketing to Millennials, there are quotes that hold true for story tellers as well.
MaryLeigh Bliss, a trends editor and strategic consultant with Ypulse, a youth marketing and research firm, says for Millennials, story is key.
"Making it more than just a product, you know it gives it a background that you can connect with emotionally rather than it just being a thing," she says.
Bliss says Millennials likes to share experiences. They don't like to show off. So her advice to marketers –stop trying to promote your brand, and instead, focus on emotion.
So how do you know that you're manuscript is speaking to your audience? I'm sure the majority of you are participating in helpful critique groups (whether locally or virtually). These groups can provide great insight, but in some cases they can also veer you off from the right path. It's important to assess from time to time the critique group you're a part of . Is it providing you with the right level of support and information?
Emma Dryden, editor/publisher consultant extraordinaire provides a great recipe for a good critique group in her latest blog post. I particularly like her final note:
Every once in a while, it's a good idea to add a one-time ingredient to this recipe, such as a professional editor or published author who will provide a new voice and perspective to the discussion.
Now not everyone has access to professional editors or published authors but even a fresh addition or another writer from a different genre may help you see things you would not have seen otherwise.
Finally, what's spring without the announcement of a highly anticipated new release? So excited that Noelle August's (pen name for New York Times Best-Selling author Veronica Rossie and the truly talented independent editor Lorin Oberweger) first novel Boomerang is set to release July 15th. It promises to be chalk full of romance, drama and titillating urban adventure. Can't wait to see what August has in store for us this summer!
Everyone yearns for that day when they type the last word of their manuscript and then stamp it with a big THE END! But sadly, we know the last word is usually the start of an even harder process.. REVISION!
It doesn't matter if you're fifteen or fifty, revision is an important part of the writing process. The blog Two Teachers Writing does a great job of providing an outline of the importance of revision and how to entice kids to go through the process in their own writing. It's an article that I think is still relevant for those of us well beyond the high school years. 