Guest Speakers: Jim Nettles, Peter Salomon, Paige L. Christie, Kristin Kasai, Melissa McArthur, Sheree Renee Thomas – WRITE Program Director: Venessa Giunta
(First off, yes I know this is coming way too late – but better late than never! This was an amazing panel, and it deserves to be seen, even at the end of 2020! I have one more post from this convention that will be following shortly after for anyone interested in working within licensed properties, so stay tuned!)
You’ve finally done it! You’ve finished your manuscript/soul-baby and it’s time to take the next step in your writing path.
Now, one of the first questions to consider is: when do you show your work to others? Some writers wait until they have a full draft before they start looking for readers and critique. Others will look for feedback as they go, chapter by chapter. It may be better to receive this information from the beginning as you’re learning. Once you’re more comfortable as a writer, you may discover that it’s better to review your script after you’ve completed the whole thing. However you choose to initiate this process, don’t go straight to an editor or publisher.
After finishing your first draft, put it aside and give it some time to breathe before going back to edit it yourself with a fresh mind. For some writers, this may be a couple weeks, for others it may be a couple months. Don’t fret over the timing (unless you have a deadline, obviously), but try working on other projects in the meantime. It should be instinctual to know when to return to your manuscript.
If you haven’t considered this already, now is a great time to look for Critique Partners and Beta Readers!
A Beta Reader is someone (hopefully within your target audience – not friends or family) who can offer feedback to your story. It’s good practice to ask them what they like, what they didn’t like, what confused them, etc. You are looking for honest reactions, not praise. Make notes and use this information to your advantage!
A Critique Partner is another writer who is able to offer an advanced analysis on your story structure, characterization, plot holes, grammar, spelling, etc. (Bear in mind, they are NOT your professional Editor! That comes later!) Also, it’s important to note that the key word here is “Partner.” If someone is investing into your journey as a writer, be willing to read over their work as well, and return the favor.
If you find another writer who is at a significantly higher skill level than you, and they are still willing to help you, this is usually a Mentor relationship. A Mentor is different from a Critique Partner, as they offer more of a guiding role and have a lot more experience in the industry.
If you find great people within any of these categories, then DO NOT LOSE THEM! I cannot emphasize how valuable these people are! They are donating their time and energy in order to give you free feedback when they could be doing literally anything else! Be thankful, and treat them with respect.
Now, how do you determine the difference between good or… not so good… readers, partners, mentors, etc.? Look for people who are positive and constructive. They must be able to accurately explain what’s wrong and why it’s a problem, as opposed to just saying “I don’t like it” and that’s it. Finding people who share the same genre interests is ideal for everyone involved. Look for brutal honesty and varying skill levels. You want those Grammar Nazis, those Goddesses of Plot-holes, the Storytelling Construction Experts, etc.!
If you’re still trying to learn, then you don’t want to be the Master Writer in the group. Otherwise you are the one taking on the Mentor role, and will not receive as many valuable critiques. Always challenge yourself to keep improving. You can do this by branching out and trying new groups either in-person or online. You’d be amazed at who you can find (like at Multiverse ♥)
Let’s look at the Revision process. (Hopefully you’ve already revised your first draft several times before passing it off to Beta Readers, Critique Partners, and/or Mentors.) You can use this method when critiquing other people’s work as well.
Print out the script and edit it on paper. I find it useful to use a different color pen (some people hate red for psychological reasons, but red, blue, or green stand out particularly well.) Try reading the story out loud – it’s surprising how some phrasing can read well in your own head, but snag once it’s actually verbalized. Look for grammar/spelling, plot holes, pacing, character motivations, etc. Some writers keep track of frequently used words by using an Excel Spreadsheet. Unfortunately, we all use words repetitively without realizing it, so this can be a huge help!
When you’re reading and/or critiquing, and you see a problem, lead with a compliment and what the writer is doing well before explaining the problem. After all, this is their soul-baby. Keep subjective issues out and focus on the concepts of writing. It’s not useful to tell people to change their entire plot to suit your personal preferences. Let the writer keep ownership of their own creativity. (This can be confusing and a fine line to walk if you’re just starting out – for more on the concepts of writing, I recommend reading Story by Robert McKee or The Fantasy Fiction Formula by Deborah Chester. I may do blog posts on these in the future if you guys are interested – comment below!)
Both you and your partners need to have a thick skin in this industry. Remember not to take critiques personally and vice-versa. If your partner becomes sensitive, gently remind them that you’re trying to help them be the best they can be. We all have ways we can improve, and humility is key.
Don’t be surprised if you get to the point where you hate your work. Every author experiences that at multiple points. Just know that this is normal, and don’t give up – keep going!
And finally, we come to publishing! To be honest, this could take a whole new blog post by itself, so I will keep it brief here.
If you go the traditional publishing route, you are NOT required to pay for your cover, editing, or anything! If it’s a Vanity Press, then it’s a scam. The only thing you should buy are promotional books for yourself, and those should be at a discount. (Don’t give all of these out to your family and friends – hold on to some of them as ‘special editions’ for later on in your career – if that’s your goal.) Additionally, you should not be paying your Agent out of pocket. An Agent takes a percentage of the profits, so they get paid when you get paid.
Make sure you get a lawyer for contracts with publishers. NEVER sell all of your rights, nor copyright. They may own the rights for a set amount of years (maybe five?) but do NOT give them all rights. Period.
Self-publishing is another option, but in that case, you are taking the financial and business responsibilities for your product entirely. You will be paying for the cover, the marketing, the editing, and so much more. This involves significant research and preparation in advance, so be aware before jumping into this option.
At any rate, congrats on finishing your draft or manuscript! You’ve hit a HUGE milestone and should be proud of yourself! As I said, don’t give up and keep going ♥ What are your thoughts on collaborating with other writers? Did you expect this to be a solo industry? What did you learn about yourself along the journey of writing your first script? Are you nervous or excited about your future potential career? I’d love to hear from you in the Comments Section below!
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Featured Image Source: Warner Bros Pictures – Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows