Unlike Fixing Your Car, Tuning Your Manuscript Requires More Than Mechanics

Have you ever picked up something you drafted ages ago and read it... only to discover it was awful? I do that all the time.

When my daughters were teens I took it upon myself to write teen romance novels for them. The first one, Fifteen- Love, was the story of a fifteen-year-old girl trying out for the high school tennis team and trying to catch the eye of a cute guy on the team. Clever, huh?

I don’t think I ever finished Mark Time, the story of a young girl in marching band who thinks the senior conductor (Mark something or other) is wonderful and the annoying trumpet player vying for her attention is horrible. You can guess were that one headed.

I laughed out loud when I read those never-to-be-published manuscripts. I knew nothing about writing. I only knew the books out there for my girls weren’t any better and often contained messages I couldn’t condone.

I thought my writing improved until I picked up a manuscript I wrote in 2013 with the intent of polishing it a bit and submitting it to an agent. I’ve been working on it for two weeks now.

The process is something akin to taking your car in to the shop to have the oil changed only to discover you need to overhaul the entire engine, fix the brakes, rotate the tires, and replace the transmission. Some people would junk the car and buy something new. But you love that car. You have a history with that car. You go through the overhaul and rebuilding of that car because you know in your heart of hearts it’s a classic and worth the investment.

I offer today’s post to help you tackle your own manuscript in your own garage. Let’s look at a few of the problems I’ve noted, a few quick fixes, and the big overhauling taking place.

Problem #1: Backstory. I tend to write way too much backstory in the beginning. In fact I knew this when I drafted this manuscript so I deliberately went in and chopped off the first two chapters after I wrote the book. Oh but I didn’t stop there as I should have. Instead, I was so anxious to not lose anything, I wove the backstory right back into chapter three. I thought I was being clever…I wove it into a conversation. IT IS BORING.

The Fix? I’m cutting every bit of the backstory out. I saved it in a dump file so if I really need it, and I mean REALLY need it, I have it.

Problem #2: Telling. Telling is a big no-no in writing a novel. I know this yet, I find when I am anxious to move to the next exciting scene or if I’m, tired, I tend to get lazy. I start “telling” everything. Telling takes more space and more words but less craft. Telling bogs the story down and doesn’t credit the reader with more intelligence than a snail. The fix? I have been combing through the manuscript constantly asking myself how to show the information to move the story forward. I try to see the story unfold as a movie, using images instead of words.

Problem # 3: Pacing. Part of the pacing problem in this story is connected to the long, boring conversation between my main character and her best friend. Some of the pacing issue resolved itself when I cut the conversation to the bare bones of what needed to be said. The pacing also picked up when I started showing what was happening instead of describing every detail.

Sometimes I pick up the pace by shortening the sentences and checking to make sure I’ve used an active voice instead of a passive voice.

How long does this take? Revision is a process. Like the classic car, it may take months of fine-tuning but is well worth the investment of time.

How do you approach revision? What problems seem to surface on a regular basis for you?

Finally…An Announcement: Since March is the anniversary of the release of Breathingon Her Own, I have a few goals set and a couple of treats in store.

            *I am hoping to gain seven (7) more reviews to reach my goal of 150 reviews on Amazon. If you read the book and always meant to leave a review, here is your chance to do a good deed.

            *In honor of the Anniversary, my publisher has approved offering the Kindle version of Breathing on Her Own for FREE on March 22-24. Even if you already have a copy, you can order a copy and send to a friend as a gift. Simply follow the instructions on the Amazon order form.

            *Toward the end of the month, watch for more short stories and giveaways.

            *Next week I’ll be featuring Laura Hilton as my guest. Be sure to tune in.

The Business of Writing: The Reading and Writing of Helpful Reviews

Reviews are important for every book to meet with success. Good or bad, having a number of reviews helps to create buzz about a book. Every author hopes for glowing reviews. Good reviews not only affirm us as writers, they tell the world to read our books.

Not all reviews are positive of course. In fact, some can be downright negative. 

But here is the key: As much as you may want positive reviews, if you take your writing seriously, you need helpful reviews. Look for reviews that are honest and specific.

Writing Reviews: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Maybe. At least that’s advice my mother handed down to me.

There is some truth in those words when writing a review, but that doesn’t mean you have to be flowery and complimentary about a book you really didn’t like. Be specific. State exactly why you didn’t like the book. The reasons you offer may be the very reason someone else will want to read it. Here is an example: If someone said they didn’t like my book because they like books filled with explicit sex and my was a clean read, people who like clean reads will want my book and people looking for sexually explicit material won’t waste their time.

As a rule of thumb, if I can’t give a book at least three stars I don’t leave a review. If the book is poorly edited or had defects the author could fix, I will message the author with my concerns. That is the professional approach.

Reading Reviews: Don’t look only at the “stars.” Read and re-read those specific reviews.

One reviewer for Breathing on Her Own said the book was well written and had a good story but stated she could only give it three stars. She said the main character was infuriating! The reader lost her patience with Molly and referred to her as “smother mother.” Was that a bad review? Not in my book. If I can evoke that kind of emotion with words, I’ll take it.

Writing Reviews: If you didn’t finish the novel, don’t write a review.

My husband was probably the most honest man I have ever known.  He was so brutally honest he could embarrass me in social situations. (“Sorry, I can’t eat that. It looks like bait!” followed by a very loud, “Becky, why are you kicking me under the table?”)

He shocked me one day when told me about a time when he wasn’t honest with his teacher.

Tom’s fifth grade teacher required a certain number of book reports from each student. She randomly selected students to deliver oral book reports to the class.  One day, Tom was called on to report on a book. He hadn’t finished the book. He had barely started it, choosing to ride his horse and play outside instead of doing his homework.

Instead of owning up to his unpreparedness, Tom stood in front of the class. He recited the title and author of the book. He named a couple of the characters and told something they did. Then he lied. He spoke briefly about an adventure the characters faced (taken straight from the book jacket) then told his fifth grade audience, “I won’t ruin it for you. If you want to find out what happened, you’ll have to read it yourself!”  At least that was a somewhat positive review.

I’ve read a few books that developed slowly, but in the end everything tied together nicely and I was glad I finished the book. That said, I’ve a couple of troubling negative reviews for Breathing on Her Own where the reader didn’t finish the book.

Reading Reviews: I don’t mind a negative review if it helps me grow as a writer, but a review that states, “This wasn’t my kind of story. I kept reading hoping for me, but gave up after 20%.” Really? I understand picking up a book and later discovering it isn’t your cup of tea. I’ve done that myself. But if I didn’t finish the book because it wasn’t my kind of story…I wouldn’t leave a review at all.

Now if the reader had said,  “The back cover copy made me think it was going to be a sci-fi thriller” or something totally goofy like that, I would at least know to go back to the description of the book and see what made the reader think along those lines. That sort of review would be helpful.

Writing Reviews: Check your facts. Remember I said you should be specific? Make sure your facts are correct before you post the review. You don’t want to mislead other readers and you want it to be evident you read the book.

Reading Reviews: “With a grain of salt.” You may receive a review that is negative with no real foundation. Read it and move on. One review I had suggested the main characters tried to hide everything Laney owned to keep it away from another family suing them. Since that wasn’t true, I read it and moved on. [Actually, in light of the fact Laney was likely to lose everything, her parents gave up their retirement fund to make sure she and her family would have a home.]

A few ideas about book reviews for you to mull over. Remember as you publish, reviews are desired. They are powerful. And, if well written, they can be helpful to both readers and writers.

Related Posts:

The Five Finger Method for Book Reviews

Tips for Writing Amazon Reviews

Breathing on Her Own Reviews

Lessons Learned Through Indie Publishing...So Far

Before we address the lessons learned, we must answer this question: What is Indie Publishing? Indie Publishing is the term used by authors who “independently publish” their own manuscripts. You will sometimes hear people speak of it as “self-publishing,” though that term is falling by the wayside. It differs from “vanity publishing” in that the burden of publishing is on the author. In vanity publishing, the author has paid someone to take the manuscript and go through all of the steps to put it in print and so forth.

This post is for the serious author who wants to publish something without going through a traditional publisher or a vanity publisher.

Why I chose to “go Indie”

I recently published three titles in a series to help new writers. I put them under the Writing to Publish umbrella. I prefer to write fiction, but my blog is aimed at helping new authors go on the writing journey with me.

I could have submitted these three handbooks for writers to a traditional publisher, but I had an ulterior motive. I want to raise money for a scholarship fund created by the CDC Foundation in my husband’s name: The Thomas R. Waters Memorial Scholarship for Ergonomics Research.  I didn’t want to share any profits with a publisher. I want every penny I’m due to go to the fund. That means for every book purchased, $2.00 will go to the scholarship fund.

WARNING: I will put links to those books as well as a direct link to the scholarship fund at the end of this post.

To make sure I did this right I consulted fellow authors and read A.P.E. Authors, Publishers, and Entrepreneurs by Guy Kawasaki and Shawn Welch. I downloaded the free book Building Your Book for Kindle from the Amazon site. Here’s a bit of what I’ve learned:

1. Make sure your manuscript is professionally edited. More eyes…

2. Read the guides on publishing an e-book carefully and at least twice before you start.

3. Make no assumptions about formatting. Format as you go. Then check your formatting when you finish. Formatting for a Kindle is different than formatting for a print copy. Someone reading your book on their e-reader can change the font size and so forth. It won’t matter that you have a single sentence or phrase extending on the next page. It will matter in your print version. Another difference is that an electronic version does not have page numbers whereas a print book needs them.

4. Search similar titles/ topics for the keywords used before you publish.

5. Spend as much time on your single paragraph book description as you would a full chapter in your book.

6. Create an eye-catching, high-resolution cover. And if you are writing a series make sure the covers relate.

7. Name your publishing company. I know everyone doesn’t do this, but I also know having a name for your company looks more professional. I knew one reviewer who would not review a book that had the look or feel of an indie publication. I chose to name my company Short Iron Press. I’m a golfer. (Note: I didn’t claim to be a great golfer, but I do like the activity.) My husband and I enjoyed golfing together. In golf, you have a drive and a putt. You use a driver for your drive and a putter for your putt. That is pretty much a given for most golfers. Between the drive and the putt you have choices. You choose certain short irons or wedges to achieve distance or accuracy.

Life is like that. Drives and putts. But I figure it’s those decisions you make in the middle that define you. Hence, Short Iron Press.

Is there more? Yes. Publishing, like life is  a learn-as-you-go process. What do you think? Would you consider going the indie route?

As promised: Links to donate and links to buy!

The Thomas R. Waters Memorial Scholarship for Ergonomics Research 

Yep, that's my hubby! Good looking guy, huh? And he was one smart cookie. Donations are tax deductible. And if you do give, be sure to have them notify me and I will mail you a thank you!

Click HERE

Purchase these books to boost your writing business. Each book is $2.99. $2.00 goes to the scholarship fund.

Click HERE

Click HERE

Breathing on Her Own...before the book begins...

As the three year anniversary of the release of Breathing on Her Own approaches, I offer this short story prequel to the book. Enjoy! And try the recipe at the end for a delicious treat!

CLICK HERE

Molly pulled the pan of brownies out of the oven. “When Laney asked if we were busy for the evening, I thought she was inviting us to a New Year’s celebration.”

“Just as well. I’d rather keep our grandkids than spend all night awake waiting for a ball to drop on television. M-m-m, those smell great.” Travis reached for a knife to cut the brownie cake.

“Hold your horses, Travis Tipton. They have to cool.”

“How long?”

“About as long as it takes for Hunter and Ellie to get here.” Molly turned to face her husband. “I picked up ice cream and chocolate fudge topping at the store, too.”

A smile spread across Travis’s face. “See? Isn’t this better than any old party to welcome in the New Year?” He put his arms around her waist.

Molly slipped her arms around Travis’s neck. “Remember when we were in Tahoe for New Year’s Eve and we watched the New York broadcast?”

Travis laughed. “The girls thought it was midnight and went to bed without a whimper.”

“Well, don’t count on Hunter and Ellie being as cooperative. Hunter’s determined to stay up all night. Ellie wants to see the ball drop, but I guarantee she’ll crash around ten.”

The front door opened letting in a gust of the cold winter wind and two giggling children. “Grams! Grandpa!” Laney and Rob followed close behind, shivering. Laney grabbed the jackets off of the floor, shook them free of snow and hung them in the hall closet while her family raced ahead into the kitchen.

“Something smells good,” Rob said. “Looks like the real party’s here.”

“Grams made brownies. We’re going to have ice cream and brownies,” five-year-old Ellie told her dad. Travis picked up his granddaughter and gave her a hug.

“So where is this party you two are going to?” Molly asked.

“Remember Laney’s friend, Andrea from college?”

Molly remembered. A cold chill ran up her spine. Andrea and Tori had been Laney’s best friends in college. A bad influence. A bad crowd. What kind of party was this anyway? Molly rested her hand on the counter. “Will there be…”

“…other people there you know?” Travis interrupted. He shot Molly a look that warned her to be careful what she said.

“A few, I guess. I know her husband, Evan. He’s a good guy.”

“Where do they live?” Molly asked.

“Who?” Laney asked, coming into the room. “Where does who live?”

“Andrea. Rob said the party’s at her house.” Molly hoped she sounded calm.

“They live out past Milford.” Laney called to her two children to take their overnight bags upstairs.

“Well, be careful out there,” Travis advised. “There’ll be a lot of crazy people on the road tonight and with the snow and all, it could get messy.”

As predicted, Ellie was asleep by ten. Travis carried her upstairs to the room his daughters had once shared. He watched as Molly tucked Ellie in. “Bring back memories?”

“Sweet memories.” The two stood at the door in silence for a moment, reliving the days Laney and Lissa whispered their own good nights in this very room. Molly rested her head against her husband’s chest. “I worry about Laney being out tonight.”

“You mean with drunk drivers ringing in the New Year and the like?”

“That, and…well, this party they’re at. It’s at Andrea’s. I’m sure there’ll be drinking. You remember what happened when they were in college. Besides that, I have this feeling…”

“Your intuition flaring up again?” Travis laughed. “Look, Molls, first, you can’t assume there’s drinking because of what happened over ten years ago. Second, Rob and Laney are adults. You can’t live their lives for them. And if you’re worried, then pray about it. I’m going back downstairs. I told Hunter we’d play a video game and maybe watch a movie.”

“Have fun. I’m going to bed.” She kissed her husband goodnight. “See you next year.” How can I not worry?

Molly lay in bed and willed herself to sleep, but it didn’t come. I should have told them to call when they got home. Strains of music filtered up from the man-cave where Travis and Hunter were racing jet skis around a virtual track on the big screen TV. How could he do that? How could he play as if he didn’t have a worry in the world?

Andrea. Andrea had seemed like such a sweet girl. Maybe she was, too. At least until she met Tori. Yep, Tori was the real problem. She was self-centered and strong willed. Worse yet, Tori was wild. She was the kind of person who gave the college a reputation for being a party school. If the party Andrea was throwing tonight was anything like the ones the girls attended in college, Molly had plenty to worry about. Maybe it was intuition. Maybe it was common sense.

Sleep was not to be found. Molly looked at the clock. 11:48.  Molly headed downstairs to join Travis and Hunter welcome in the New Year.

“You didn’t get much rest last night,” Travis said the as he poured himself a second cup of coffee the next morning. “I figured you’d sleep in.”

Molly pulled a yellow mug from the cabinet. “I couldn’t. I just kept thinking about Laney and Rob and kept praying they were okay.”

“They’re okay. Laney texted to say they’ll pick the kids up around eleven. You prayed for the wrong child.”

“What do you mean?”

“Lissa. She called this morning. She was helping at the church youth group overnighter and when she left the parking lot this morning, she slid on a patch of ice and hit a tree.”

Molly pulled her hand to her heart. “Is she okay?

“She’s fine. Dented her fender. One of the guys there, a Mark somebody, followed her home to make sure everything was okay.”

“Praise God!” Molly’s shoulders relaxed. “But, hey, my intuition worked. I just had the wrong daughter.” Molly put her coffee down. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it. A car accident is every mother’s nightmare.”

Molly's Famous Brownie Cake

2 c. sugar

1 ½ c. flour

1 c. Crisco

4 eggs

½ c. milk

6 T. cocoa

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9X12 inch rectangular cake pan. Mix ingredients in a large bowl until batter is smooth. Pour into cake pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Brownies are done if a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool a bit and cut into squares. While still warm, split individual brownies horizontally and fill with a scoop of ice cream. Pour hot fudge topping over brownies and serve.