I saw a #revpit question about when you know your MS is ripe to query.
It’s a common one because we’re all anxious for the chance at publishing.
Here’s a frank chat
1/12
It’s a common one because we’re all anxious for the chance at publishing.
Here’s a frank chat
1/12
Almost every writer I know has queried too early. The story wasn’t ready, but we didn’t know.
Mainly because we don’t know what we don’t know until we learn.
Most people don’t get lovely contest mentoring--so you just wing it
2/12
Mainly because we don’t know what we don’t know until we learn.
Most people don’t get lovely contest mentoring--so you just wing it
2/12
Usually, after contest mentees are chosen, pro editors might offer specials to other people who entered. These are not universal. They also take an extraordinary amount of effort, so editors are paid commensurately!
3/12
3/12
But if it that is cost prohibitive, here are some tips to polish on your own—this isn’t exhaustive, but each piece helps make your MS a step closer to publication
*This isn’t a list that must be followed in this order
4/12
*This isn’t a list that must be followed in this order
4/12
My BEST help has been from excellent critique partners, but sometimes you can’t find someone who fits the bill. Your friends can help…to a point...but you really want other writers who are more likely to catch these things
5/12
5/12
A list like this one will really shape up your writing: annerallen.com/2017/06/filter…
We speak this way, but it weighs down fiction & leaves it dull rather than intimate & interesting
6/12
We speak this way, but it weighs down fiction & leaves it dull rather than intimate & interesting
6/12
Read each scene for TENSION
It compels readers to keep going. It doesn’t have to be anxious—it can be chemical, external, internal
A great resource to make sure that you’re not lagging are these writing worksheets (so helpful!) jamigold.com/for-writers/wo… Pacing is vital
7/12
It compels readers to keep going. It doesn’t have to be anxious—it can be chemical, external, internal
A great resource to make sure that you’re not lagging are these writing worksheets (so helpful!) jamigold.com/for-writers/wo… Pacing is vital
7/12
You should check off for these in every scene: a GMC for each character w/a plot
Goal: what do your characters want?
Motivation: why do they want this?
Conflict: what is holding them back from getting it?
(yep, every scene)
8/12
Goal: what do your characters want?
Motivation: why do they want this?
Conflict: what is holding them back from getting it?
(yep, every scene)
8/12
Not every scene has a lot of action, so cover this base by exploring (& exploiting) your characters’ emotional wounds.
If a character isn’t important enough to have goals & wounds, etc, why are they in the story?
*this applies to named characters in multiple scenes*
9/12
If a character isn’t important enough to have goals & wounds, etc, why are they in the story?
*this applies to named characters in multiple scenes*
9/12
Want a masterclass in developing emotional wounds for your characters? Go here writershelpingwriters.net
And for a monthly fee onestopforwriters.com
10/12
And for a monthly fee onestopforwriters.com
10/12
READ YOUR DIALOGUE OUT LOUD
Yes, I’m yelling.
Dialogue MUST be useful to the plot. We rarely need the tedious stuff we do in real life (“good morning!” “good morning!” “how are you?” “I’m fine!”)
😴😴😴
*also: contractions, please
11/12
Yes, I’m yelling.
Dialogue MUST be useful to the plot. We rarely need the tedious stuff we do in real life (“good morning!” “good morning!” “how are you?” “I’m fine!”)
😴😴😴
*also: contractions, please
11/12
If you can read the entire MS aloud—you’ll find so many skipped words, awkward phrases, word echoes—all the stuff your brain glosses over when reading because you know what it’s supposed to say.
Hope these help!
12/12
Hope these help!
12/12
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
