What To Look For When Editing

You've finished your first draft and are eager to query agents or editors. But don't! Resisting that urge and taking the time to properly edit your novel will increase its chances of success exponentially. That said, when editing your own work it can be really hard to look at your novel objectively. You worked hard for months, maybe even years, taking the hatchet to it can be a bit traumatic. But for the sake of the novel, it must be done. Take off the rose colored glasses and prepare to polish that baby up. The better the piece of work you submit is, the more professional you look.

Spelling & Grammar: Spellcheck is wonderful but it doesn't catch everything and it makes mistakes. Use it, but don't rely on it alone. Check thoroughly for grammar issues. To polish to a high sheen, read and be familiar with The Elements of Style. It's an industry standard for the most part. Root out too much passive voice and telling.

Arcs & Pacing: Check for plot holes, twist tie-ups, plot arc, and character arcs. Check for consistency and pacing (a read aloud round of editing makes this part easier). Don't be afraid to cut. Try to cut anything that doesn't accomplish something for your novel, meaning for the protagonist, antagonist, or the plot. If you find a scene that doesn't have a purpose, delete it. This is not to say that you can't set a scene, just don't go off on a wild tangent that isn't going to tie in later.

Format: Know the format publishers expect to see your work in. Usually that's 12 font, double spaced, 1 inch margins all around, with the title of the work & your name as a header and the page numbers as a footer. A title page with contact information can also be helpful.

How many rounds of editing you do before submitting is really up to you. A good rule of thumb is at least two rounds, more if you aren't spot on with your spelling and grammar to begin with.

How To Win #NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month is coming, and those of us crazy enough to participate during such a hectic time of year have a few secrets for getting that novel done. Want in on my big secret? Here you go:

Anyone can push out words, vomiting them onto the page in often a non-sequential mess that is far more painful to edit than it ever was to write. But there is a way around that, a way that will not make you dread editing that mass of words you pushed out in only one month. This tip will help you so much that you may find yourself able to write more than the 50,000 most NaNo writers strive for. It is simple and will make many cringe, but for those serious about winning NaNo, it will work.

OUTLINE

Yes really, and no it isn't cheating. Outlining your NaNo novel will help keep you focused and on track, which will make editing that novel a breeze. You don't have to crush your creativity to do it, either. Write a rough outline, one that addresses character arcs, the overall story arc, and pacing (action chapters vs. inaction). By rough, I mean, you don't have to feel married to it. Use it as a guide to combat writer's block, to give you direction, then allow your muse to flow. If your muse moves away from the outline, let it! Just make sure you accomplish the arcs you want to accomplish and you're golden.

Why does outlining work? Because it reveals plot holes and inconsistencies that are very hard to fix in the editing process. If you use this tip, you'll find you are able to edit that manuscript in the same~and often less~time than it took you to write it. Which means, you just might be able to submit that novel before the end of the year. But, never, ever, submit a novel that hasn't been thoroughly edited by yourself! Good luck to all NaNo participants and have fun!

Reasons for Literary Rejection

Here are five top reasons (in no particular order) literary agents and editors with publishing houses may reject manuscripts:

1. Too much passive writing (was, were, had). Results in telling instead of showing, as well as takes the reader out of the immediate action, and it can be a sign of lazy writing (though not always. Sometimes it is called for, but never in excess.). More on that at THIS LINK. 
2. Excessive spelling and grammar issues (which point toward either inexperience, or rushing, or not caring). Use spellcheck, but don't rely on it. More on that at THIS LINK.
3. Bad flow and/or pacing (not enough action, too much action, confusing). When in doubt, read it aloud, you'll be surprised what this exposes. More on that at THIS LINK. 
4. The manuscript doesn't meet requirements (too short, too long, hits on their "dislikes" list, isn't a genre they acquire). 
5. The writer didn't follow submission guidelines. It is a sign that the writer is rushing, not researching, or is blanket submitting. 

For more tips and writing advice, look through my blog archive to the right. Happy writing and best of luck submitting!

How To Pitch In Person

Next week I'll be taking pitches at one of the biggest conventions for romance writers, readers, and publishers. That's right, I'll be at the Romantic Times Book Lover's Convention!

Almost all writers are nervous about pitching in person, but hopefully I can help alleviate some of that. First, agents and editors expect you to be nervous so don't worry if you giggle too much, ramble off topic, or get starry eyed. Here are some tips to make a great first impression:

Be passionate about your book, but be able to get to the heart of the story in under three minutes. Which is to say, have a great hook sentence that lays out the problem, stakes, and solution. Or, to put it another way, hook them with an interesting sentence (not a run-on one, think Twitter pitch length) that introduces the protagonist, the problem, and hits the main point of what the story is about.

Then give a short paragraph or two that highlights the really interesting parts of your story (much like a query letter, short and to the point). You want to leave plenty of time for the editor to ask questions. An elevator pitch is between 1 and 3 minutes long and gives you time to introduce yourself, talk about your experience, awards, that kind of thing (Pitch-A-Palooza). Longer pitch sessions (appointments) give you ten minutes. To keep from rambling carry a notebook or note cards with your pitch written down. Try not to read off it unless you have to, but have it just in case.

After you've prepared the pitch based off your query letter then it's time to try it out on people. Pitch it to your significant other, your friends, family, even your cat or dog. Get it down to where you know it and can rattle it off at any given time.

Tips To Get You Ahead: If you're pitching me and are reading this before hand you are already several strides ahead of the game. Read through my wish list, read my expected manuscript lengths, know the submission requirements of City Owl. In other words, do your homework on those you plan to pitch to. And relax, especially if you're pitching me. I'm laid back and easy to talk to. I'll help walk you through it if you get stuck.

Personal Tips: I do not like passive voice (overuse of was, were, that kind of thing). If you use this too much in your manuscript, it is not for me. A little is unavoidable, but too much is not good. I do not like info dump, telling, and back story that isn't worked in well and sparingly (and preferably after the first five pages or later. Later is better). I'm an editor, not an agent. I am not there to 'represent' your book, I'm there to consider publishing it. Not the same thing. Not by far. I like good pacing with a healthy dose of action. I'm partial to third person past tense. First person past tense is alright too. Present tense makes me twitchy. It isn't an instant no, but it had better be amazingly well done so that I hardly even notice it. Have cards on hand to give to me!

What NOT to do: Don't pitch to someone randomly outside of pitch sessions unless they ask about your book. If they ask about your book, that's an invitation to pitch so rattle off that elevator pitch. No means no. Don't push or argue the point. It will not help matters. Don't bring gimmicks, drawings, or reviews from friends or family who have read your manuscript. Your work will speak for itself and if it can't, well, then it can't and that says enough.

More tips to come before the convention!

Top Five Reasons for Rejection

I get asked this a lot, so I thought it was time I did a post on it. Here are the top 5 reasons I personally reject manuscripts (not necessarily in this order):

1. Too much passive writing (was, were, had). Results in telling instead of showing, as well as takes the reader out of the immediate action, and it can be a sign of lazy writing. More on that at THIS LINK. 
2. Excessive spelling and grammar issues (which point toward either inexperience, or rushing, or not caring). Use spellcheck, but don't rely on it. More on that at THIS LINK.
3. Bad flow and/or pacing (not enough action, too much action, confusing). When in doubt, read it aloud, you'll be surprised what this exposes. More on that at THIS LINK. 
4. The manuscript doesn't meet my requirements (too short, too long, hits on my DISLIKES list, isn't a genre I acquire). 
5. The writer didn't follow submission guidelines. It is a sign that the writer is rushing, not researching, or is blanketing submitting. 

For more tips and writing advice, look through my blog archive to the right. Happy writing and best of luck submitting!

Pitching at RWA

Next month I'll be taking pitches at one of the biggest conventions for romance writers, readers, and publishers, RWA!

Almost all writers are nervous about pitching in person, but hopefully I can help alleviate some of that. Just remember, we are people too, and we want to like your work, but if we don't, it isn't the end of the world. Here are some tips to make a great first impression:

Before the conference: Try your pitch out on people. Pitch it to your significant other, your friends, family, even your cat or dog. Get it down to where you know it and can rattle it off at any given time.

Choose who to pitch ahead of time and have backups in case their line is really long. BUT, make sure the editors and agents you are going to pitch to accept the genre of your book, otherwise you are just going to get a pass. Do your research!

At the Conference:

Be passionate about your book, but be able to get to the heart of the story in under three minutes. Have a great hook sentence that lays out the problem, stakes, and solution. Or, to put it another way, hook them with an interesting sentence (not a run-on one, think Twitter pitch length).

Then give a short paragraph or two that highlights the really interesting parts of your story (much like a query letter). You want to leave plenty of time for the editor to ask questions. An elevator pitch is between 1 and 3 minutes long and gives you time to introduce yourself, talk about your experience, awards, that kind of thing. To keep from rambling carry a notebook or note cards with your pitch written down. Try not to read off it unless you have to, but have it just in case. I do not mind if people read off their notes if it helps them.

Tips To Get You Ahead: If you're pitching me and are reading this before hand you are already several strides ahead of the game. Read through my wish list, read my expected manuscript lengths, know the submission requirements of City Owl. In other words, do your homework on those you plan to pitch to. I can't say this enough. And relax, especially if you're pitching me. I'm laid back and easy to talk to. I'll help walk you through it if you get stuck.

Personal Tips: 

• I do not like passive voice (overuse of was, were, that kind of thing). If you use this too much in your manuscript, it is not for me. A little is unavoidable, but too much is not good. 
• I do not like info dump, telling, and back story that isn't worked in well and sparingly (and preferably after the first five pages or later. Later is better). 
• I'm an editor, not an agent. I am not there to 'represent' your book, I'm there to consider publishing it. Not the same thing. Not by far. 
• When at the conference, you do NOT need an agent to pitch to me, or later to sign with me. Several of the authors I have signed don't have agents, several do. At events such as this, I am open to unsolicited (unagented) work. 
• I like good pacing with a healthy dose of action. 
• I'm partial to third person past tense. First person past tense is alright too. Present tense makes me twitchy. It isn't an instant no, but it had better be amazingly well done so that I hardly even notice it. Have cards on hand to give to me!

What NOT to do: Don't pitch to someone randomly outside of pitch sessions unless they ask about your book. If they ask about your book, that's an invitation to pitch so rattle off that elevator pitch. No means no. Don't push or argue the point. It will not help matters. In fact, it could hurt them, severely. Don't bring gimmicks, drawings, or reviews from friends or family who have read your manuscript. Your work will speak for itself, and if it can't, well, then it can't, and that says enough.

If you are attending RWA and your work matches something on my wish list, come see me in the Lyceum Room along the south side of West Side ballroom on the 5th floor!