Blog for Bristol Services Intl.

Question from a client: When you critique one’s work, will you be so kind to be candid as to say go or forget it? With all the barriers everyone has placed before a would-be author, I must wonder why anyone would go through all this? Is it ego? Financial gain? I must wonder why anyone would go thru all this unless the material gains are so good. I do not need my ego stroked to say “look what I have done.” You are the expert …clue me in!

Answer: Let’s start with a reality check: no matter how good a manuscript is, there is a huge pile of competition already on every publisher’s desk. So being good enough, or even great, won’t necessarily guarantee publication. The publication business is a tough one—and it’s not there to stroke anyone’s ego. As far as financial gain is concerned, the chance for big rewards is poor at best. There are only a handful of rich authors, lots of others who get a pittance, and hordes of others who are lucky to get a free copy or two for their efforts.

When I edit for a client, I am candid and I’ll tell a client if I think what they’ve written is not commercially viable. But sometimes writers and their stories can grow into becoming publishable, and I’ll give them enough information to show what it will take to get to that level. Then they can decide for themselves if it is worth the effort.

However, I am also aware that many (most?) writers have motives other than publication. Some DO need the “look what I have done!” pat on the back. And why not? Writing a story or whole book is a huge accomplishment! Some use writing as a cathartic process to purge themselves of the demons of their past. Others want to impart their wisdom to the world. Others to boast of their experiences. All these authors can find the satisfaction they want through writing.

The majority of writers, I think, just plain love to write. Why? To create a world of their own, peopled with characters they like (or like to hate, in some cases) where the author has total control, complete power to send flash floods or cure deadly diseases or climb mountain tops. What other hobby can offer so much for so little?

I hope this offers a glimmer of ideas as to why writers write. And if you happen to be one of those authors who just must know if what he’s written is good enough for publication, here’s my pitch: I promise to tell you the truth as I see it. I’ll be thorough, detailed and specific and tell you is it is commercially viable. In the end, you’ll have no doubts about what I’ve seen as strengths and weaknesses alike. And, yes, I’ll give you a pat on the back, too, for having accomplished so much already!

A QUESTION FROM A WRITER:

I’ve got several writer friends reading through my novel, mostly catching typos and giving me feedback. Several of them have offered really great ideas on ways to improve the story, and I’ve taken their advice. One of those changes was major, and I’d heard the same advice from several other people, including you. So, after thinking about it, I agreed that everyone was right: that part had to go. I deleted it. And I like it better now. A lot.

Then I told my husband what I’d done and he said I’ve got too many cooks stirring the pot. He said the story has ceased to be mine. He got really upset me for taking the advice of all these paid professionals and unpaid friends, and he’s warned me that, if the story gets published with all these alterations, I won’t be happy in the future. Do you think he’s right?

ANSWER:

A savory stew or a confusing gruel … ah, what does one brew when using advice from others? Your husband no doubt wishes he could make your life happier–and the reward for your efforts come faster. Probably he likes the flavor of your literary stew–like anyone who prefers the home cooking efforts of their own family over any other. So, to him, the parts you deleted seemed fine because, well, they came from you! But he may also have a valid point.

At the beginning maybe you DID need several readers. Like all writers you didn’t have the confidence in what you’d produced–or in what was then said about it. So you listened to many readers, pondered, and dissected their opinions against your own. By getting lots of feedback, you’ve gotten validation of problems that several readers can see and validation of your strong points too. Hopefully, in the process, you’ve grown as a writer and found ways to solve your specific writing problems.

So … do you really need so many readers now? Answer this: Can you now recognize some of those problems for yourself? Can you see solutions where you couldn’t before? If you can answered yes to these two questions, then why do you need so many “helpers” anymore? Which ones offered–most consistently–the suggestions and answers you preferred? I think it is valuable for any author to continue to have feedback. We all need an objective “eye” on our stories. But it is best to consider only feedback from readers whose literary sensibilities mesh with your own vision.

Will the story still be yours after you’ve changed it? Yes … if you change it to suit yourself and not others. It is yours because it was your choice to make the change, no matter where the idea for the change came from. Will you feel less satisfied with it? If you feel less satisfied, then you are serving others, and that simply won’t do.

Ask yourself these questions when considering changes:

• DELETIONS: Would I be sad something was removed if I take it out? Would I feel the story is stronger without it?
• ADDITIONS: Would I have added this if I’d thought of it myself? Does it feel essential to me now that the idea has come up?

Please remember that all suggestions (from any editor or anyone else) are just opinions. The ultimate choice is always in the hands of you, the author. After all, you are the only one who knows what you want to say and you have the right to say it anyway you prefer.