Services : Manuscript Critiques and Workshops
The Critique
Manuscript critiques provide personalized feedback, suggestions for revision, chapter-by-chapter analysis of your novel, and an overall look at how well the basic elements of fiction are being employed.
Many times, manuscripts come to me that are promising, but not ready for publication or even copyediting; they need structural work. I can help lay the foundation for a good novel. Most importantly, a manuscript critique provides you with valuable instruction that you can take with you as a writer.
Manuscript critiques are not just reserved for novel-length works. I’ve critiqued short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and essays. Many clients find that a manuscript critique opens their eyes to what may not be working in the piece, demonstrates how they can improve both the work at hand and in their careers as writers, and directs them toward strengthening their writing and moving toward marketability.
When I look at your manuscript, I take into account the market for which you have written it. This means I don’t simply impose my own aesthetic agenda on your goals for writing by aiming to transform, say, a commercial work into something more literary and vice versa. What I do, instead, is help you find your voice, assist you in strengthening your writing, make suggestions for how your work can be improved based on your own goals for it—whether it be writing instruction or publishing—and constructively assist you in that process.
What you can expect from a manuscript critique:
- A close look at the elements of fiction such as character development, scene specifics, chapter transitions, overall structure, dialogue, formatting, plot, narration and point-of-view, pacing, setting, description, flow, style, and grammar.
- A five-to-ten page report that includes chapter-by-chapter analysis (if applicable) as well as an overall report on the elements mentioned above. This involves providing examples of why a particular aspect of the writing may not be working, along with suggestions for improvement. The report also includes a sample edit to demonstrate the level and type of editing the manuscript will need.
- A better idea of how to approach your work, a sense of its marketing potential, what still needs to be done, and suggestions for moving forward. If professional editing is in order (i.e., if the manuscript is deemed publishable), I will provide an estimate.
- A phone discussion about the critique report.
Workshops
Workshops are individually tailored sessions that aim to focus on one aspect of writing whether it is self-editing, characterization, dialogue, guided writing exercises, or coaching.
Typically, the goals set out for an individual workshop can be accomplished within several sessions. Although phone conversations may be appropriate, workshops are usually conducted through e-mail.
Samples of past workshops are listed here; I’m open to creating and tailoring a workshop to suit your individual needs.
Any instructional materials, the course of our work together, scheduling, and contact are arranged prior to the start of a workshop.
Characterization: Learn the art of creating believable characters. Develop characters who are memorable and true to life. What’s notable about your character both internally and externally, how will he or she drive your story, where will he or she go? Understanding the attributes of a great character through example, visualization, description, narration, dialogue, details, and choreography can free you to concentrate on other aspects of writing when your characters come alive.
Self-editing: Instructional techniques to edit your own work, which empower you to write better, edit better, hone your skills, and allow yourself the space to compose free from your “internal critic.” Learn when to edit, how to approach it, and what to look for. Self-editing workshops may focus on a range of topics from grammar to aspects of fiction technique.
Dialogue: Writing great dialogue is an art in itself. Learn the difference between writing dialogue and “speaking” dialogue. Understand formatting and dialogue tags. Develop varying dialogue with each character, combine dialogue with choreography, have it sound natural, and decide when something needs to be said by the character or told by the narrator. Use dialogue to advance the plot or reveal something further about a character. Have an ear for hearing your characters speak and determining how and when to edit what they say.
Showing versus telling: Control the pace of your writing and discover ways to show the experience of your characters. Learn how to draw your readers in through description and detail, keep them there by letting your story unfold through demonstrating palpable aspects of the world in which you wish to create. Arouse the senses.
Narration: Employing the appropriate narration for your work is everything. Decisions about first-person versus omniscient narrators are as essential as they are organic to your story. Find the narrative voice, keep it consistent, decide if it’s an effective point-of-view.