Some good advice comes to us today from KB Walker, author of
Beware of writing’s “X Factor”
If you’ve ever watched X Factor, in the audition stages, you’ll have seen
how many people have only shared their talent with loved ones wearing
rose-tinted spectacles and
seriously modified hearing aids
(
there are lots
of cringe-making videos
on
YouTube, if you’ve missed out).
You may also have noticed the huge numbers of people who turn up for these
auditions. Your manuscript will be up against similar numbers, if you want it
published. Even if you decide to self-publish, your work must be polished to
perfection or people won’t buy it. It’s vital to get critical feedback. Even
bestselling authors have trusted readers who read drafts before they are submitted
for publication. Writing a novel takes time and you are too close to it to see it objectively.
To see the rest of the article visit The Writers ABC Checklist http://thewritersabcchecklist.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/beware-of-writings-x-factor.html?spref=fb
Thanks for this, Kimm. Truly, it is hard to be 'objective'. I sent in what I thought was a suspencefull, fast-paced, twisty-plotted novel to my agent. Nope, apparently it wasn't, and I am back to the drawing board. Your comments on taking criticism are very apposite. I have learned over years of both success and rejection not to send off an instant 'hey what do you know?' email, but to reply with a 'thanks, I'll bear it in mind' one instead. But... Is there any other job that has such 'heartache' at the heart of it?
ReplyDeleteI can't think of one! The real question is why do we do this to ourselves? Most of the writers I know say they can't help it ;0)
ReplyDelete