Who should I let read and edit the story? - Writers Forum

dan48 · 11-26-2005, 08:16 PM

My book is almost doen and I was just wondering who I should show the manuscript too and let read, critique and edit as well. I heard that you should do this because most readers catch errors faster and much more easier than the writer.

Who should I give the manuscript too review? Or should I not do this?

valeca · 11-26-2005, 08:43 PM

First things first. You, and only you, will be editing. That is part of your job as a writer.

Second, seek out a critique group (such as WF) and ask them to read your work--section by section works best. Having friends and family read your work is nice, but they tend to ignore mistakes not wanting to hurt your feelings, and/or don't know the rules of grammar enough to catch those sorts of things. A stranger has nothing invested in you or your work and will (usually) give you honest feedback. It's best to get a variety of opinions if possible.

Third, put your story away for some time. A month or two will do it. When you come back to it you'll have fresh eyes and be more apt to spot your own mistakes or see where you want to make changes. We all get too close to our stories...and it blinds us.

Hope that helps.
Good luck.

CabinFever · 11-26-2005, 08:56 PM

Valeca's third point really hits home for me and I highly suggest it.

I completed the second third of my novel over the summer. It took three months to write (about 30,000 words). I never did back-ups of the story and just kept writing....I was on a roll! In September my computer died and I lost everything. The usual story.

During the summer though, I was drinking with a friend who insisted I back up all my files onto CD. We were drunk. But apparently we did it. Thank God! Neither of us remembered doing it but when we were setting up my computer again in November.....we found the files on some un-named CD!

But alas....my writing was awful. Thanks to that few months of not seeing the story or writing, I could see it much better. It was a God-send.

Get away from your story....leave it alone.....walk away.

It really works.

Avarice · 11-27-2005, 03:12 AM

yeah the alcoholic has a good point about backing it up, i use a memory stick and i write most of it first, cant beat paper. Any way, post some work here and we'll pick at it like starving Irish men coming off the Mayflower.

mammamaia · 11-27-2005, 09:29 AM

i agree... the third point should come first!... after you've gone over it, following a good 'rest period' then start looking for someone knowledgeable, who'll be willing to take a look at it and give you honest feedback, no matter how awful the truth may be...

just be sure not to listen to any opinions voiced by those you're related to or sleeping with!

Mike C · 11-28-2005, 07:56 AM

Distance is good, 3 months minimum; also Maia's advice is golden - don't get the opinions of relatives or sleeping partners!

Find 3 or 4 people whose opinions you trust (not necessarily those whose opinions you like!) and include among them a non-writer - someone who reads for pleasure. Writers sometimes get bogged down in technicalities, and will read for 'craft' rather than as a story. The writers will tell you where your plot falls apart, or where dialogue is too wordy, whatever, but the reader will tell you whether or not (s)he enjoyed it.