So I think I mentioned, that I am working on a new. manuscript. A stand alone women’s fiction book. I am sooo close to finishing this next draft. Once this draft is complete it’s time to get some reads.
These reads are important to my process, because by this stage in the manuscript I am completely enmeshed with the characters. I know their stories, their lifestyles, what clothes they wear, what foods they eat, what television shows they watch…I know almost everything about them. I know so much, that I lose perspective about what I am telling the reader, and what I fail to convey. So I need Fresh Eyes. Fresh eyes to tell me whether I have given the reader enough information so that they too know my characters and love them as much as I do.
I get these reads from people that I trust. I don’t want praise (although who doesn’t love praise) I want honest criticism. I trust that they will give me honest and sincere feedback about the manuscript. I trust that they will tell me what works for them and what doesn’t. I trust that these readers are knowleadgeable enough about writing and story structure to articulate what is not-working with the manuscript.
Then, once I get my reads, I will again rework the manuscript hopefully making it shine even more.
xoMaggie