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Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 363
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 10:54 pm: | 
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Hey folks,
When you get a chance, please stop by Blogging In Black (www.blogginginblack.com) and check out my article on giving authors constructive criticism called "Tough Love." Be sure to leave a comment. I'll be posting there once a month for while. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9974
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 12:27 am: |
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Great article which I can certainly relate to. |
A_womon
Veteran Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 1902
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 04:14 am: |
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Another good article, Emanuel. Constructive is definitely the operative word in your piece! There is a way to tell new writers they could use a little help without crushing their dreams and aspirations. I have done this, too so I feel you.
I think a good first step is that all new authors should keep in mind that when they type "the end" to thier story, that it's really just the beginning. That version should ALWAYS be considered the first draft and they should go back and correct grammatical and spelling errors.
It would be helpful if they print off the first draft and give it another read once that's done. You'd be amazed at how many errors your eyes will glide over on the computer screen. Don't believe me? I challenge any writer to try it.  |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 527
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 11:01 am: |
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Solid article, Emanuel.
Y'know what I would love for first time writers to all learn? STANDARD MANUSCRIPT FORMAT.
Many, (most?) first time writers aren't even aware that such a thing as SMF even exists. Some of the submissions I receive from first time writers look like ransom notes. Some go as far as attempting to do the typeset on their word processing program, (Word, Word Perfect, Open Office), rather than desktop publishing software, (Quark, InDesign), and believe that this marks them as someone who's "in the know".
Little do they realize when a ms appears on any editor's, associate editor's, a first reader's, or even an agent's desk and it is not in SMF, that's an automatic rejection. Not only does it mark the writer as an amateur, but it marks the writer as someone who doesn't really care about their craft or the industry. If they don't care, we don't care to read their stories.
Any illustrator worth his salt can tell you about 2-point perspective. Any graphic artist worth his salt can tell you the difference between RGB and CMYB. Any actor worth his salt can tell you about the Stanislovski Method. Any singer worth his salt can tell you about whistle register. Any musician worth his salt can tell you about Every Good Boy Does Fine. Yet, we have would-be writers who don't know that a Standard Manuscript Format not only exists, but it is expected.
It both amazes and saddens me that so many want to enter the industry, yet haven't bothered to learn the fundamentals of the industry.
Perhaps you, Emanuel, can write an article outlining SMF and its importance.
Any writer reading this who's interested:
Standard Manuscript Format
- White, 8.5x11, 20lb paper
- Black ink, one side
- 1" margins on all sides
- Double-spaced text in Courier 12/Times Roman 12, ragged right edge
- Every page, except the cover page, should have a right aligned header in the following layout: Author's Legal Last Name (author's pen name - last name only, if applicable)/Title of Work/Page Number
Example: Jones (Devereaux)/Happily Ever After/12
- Every new chapter begins on a fresh page, halfway down the paper on the first page of the chapter ONLY. Subsequent pages WITHIN the chapter should begin at the top of the page (editors need that space at the top of the chapter page to make notes specific to that chapter)
- Every chapter ends with # # # (centered)
- Indicate scene breaks within a chapter with a single # (centered)
- After you've typed the last one of your story, skip two (2) double lines and type THE END (all caps) or <<<9999>>>
- Include a cover page (this page should NOT contain a header)
The following info should appear on the cover page:
(left aligned)
Author's Legal Full Name (writing as: author's pen name, if applicable)
Author's Address
Author's City, State Zip
Author's Home Phone
Author's Cell Phone
Author's Email (tab across the page and put total word count of ms) 80,000 words [for example]
Halfway down the page, centered, in ALL CAPS type the Title of the Work (hit enter) by Author's Pen Name
NO OTHER INFORMATION SHOULD APPEAR ON THE COVER PAGE. Don't tell me it's copyrighted, don't tell me to whom it's dedicated, don't quote a blurb from your beta reader, or a poetry stanza, or famous quote, don't tell me you have an MFA, don't tell me the year you originally wrote the story... This is a COVER PAGE.
Once they've mastered SMF, I implore writers to learn to understand Proofreader's Marks. Then I implore writers to learn industry terminology: galleys, uncorrected page proofs (UPP), advance review copies (ARC), blues (blueprints), F&G (folded and gathered), verso, recto, signature, beta readers, trade paperback, mass market, cloth covers, finalized text, BISAC Category, BISAC Audience, ISBN, EAN, LCCN, SAN, CIP...
Then, maybe, they can call themselves WRITERS - who give a damn about their industry. Now whether or not they can write is a different story; as writing itself comes with its own set of rules: plot, subplot, passive voice, active voice, character development, character profile, pace, nuance, foreshadowing, dangling participles, past progressive tense, show vs. tell, theme, main characters, supporting characters, cliff hangers, red herrings, character-driven vs. plot-driven, poetic license, imagery, symbolism, cliche, innuendo, irony, etc...
As my editor says, (yes, even editors have editors), "The pen is mightier than the sword, but not if you leave out the 'w' in 'sword'."
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Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 528
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 11:10 am: |
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Sorry,
After you've typed the last 'one' of your story
should read:
After you've typed the last 'word' of your story
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Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 365
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 11:30 am: |
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Thanks Cynique. A womon, you're so right. There are many strategies writers use to complete a manuscript. Some belt out a rough draft as soon as possible, and then go back to revise, revise, and revise some more. Others outline first, write a chapter-by-chapter synopsis, or develop characters and plots before writing the actual story. I'm using the latter techniques minus the synopsis for the manuscript I'm working on now, and it really helps.
Unfortunately, typing "the end" in non-traditional publishing sometimes means running spellcheck and then running off to the printer. The good thing about getting published tradtionally (or so I'm told) is the checks and balances that require lots of revision and solid editing. Those who don't publish traditionally can still take advantage of writers groups, independent (but often overpriced) editing services, and/or the eye of a friend.
For basic grammar and spelling errors, I read the printed out manuscript backwards, sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph. (I use the laser jet printers at my local library so that I don't waste money on paper.) That forces me to forget about the natural flow of the story and catch more errors. When self-publishing, I would loved to have used the resources of an editor but it just wasn't in my budget. Friends (writers and non-writers) served as backup pairs of eyes. A lot of people use their writers groups in the place of an editor. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 366
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 11:48 am: |
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Definitely Urban_Scribe. I have a few copies of books dedicated to teaching writers how to submit. I recommend them when asked but since I'm not traditionally published (except for an essay in a Little, Brown anthology) I don't flat out advise because I'm right there in Rejection Letter City with the best of them. I try to only write what I know when writing articles. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 530
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 12:36 pm: |
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Well, Emanuel, you ARE commercially published as well as conventionally self-published. That makes you a voice of authority in both fields. You know from firsthand experience what it takes to get a publisher to invest in your work, and all that entails. Little, Brown is no joke. They're major. That's a great accomplishment to add to your CV, so don't be modest about it.
In addition, you also know from firsthand experience what it takes to conventionally self-publish: write the book, edit the book, copyedit the book, proofread the book, page layout, cover design, ISBN assignment, pre-press, preparing camera-ready files, working with printers, wholesalers, distributors or self-distributing, having your books listed on online bookstores, advertising, pricing your book to market, and so forth. And, I'm sure there were many bumps in the road along the way, which you learned to maneuver around.
From where I'm sitting, you have much knowledge to share about the industry. So don't sell yourself short, Mr. Carpenter.
And, I firmly believe that even for those who choose to self-publish, for whatever reason, if they follow all steps necessary to be commercially published and learn the production and business ends of the industry, that will make them better self-publishers. But as you pointed out, far too many self-publishers cut corners to either save a buck or because they really don't know all steps involved in self-publising. They end up releasing a shoddy product on the market and, in the process, give self-publishing a bad rep.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 9979
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 01:02 pm: |
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The requirements you cite certainly have to figure into the decision that many authors make when they choose to self-publish, Urban Scribe. Of course all the rules about punctuation and grammar and sentence structure are essential, and the manuscript protocol is reasonable, but the plot rules are what can inhibit creativity. To me, it's about crafting believable characters involved in unusual situations and letting the what happens unfold. Readers, who are the third factor in the equation, simply want something that captivates their interest, and a writer may be able to pull this off without adhereing to the technicalities of a plot that an editor looks for. So, it's about having control of one's project.
I always plead guilty to the criticism of those who complained that I "told" instead of "showed" in my book, but that is not to say that there weren't others who had no idea what I was talking about when I asked them if I told instead of showed. Their feed back was that I "told" a good story and that they related to my characters and that that my dialogue was authentic. Yes, everyone agreed that the book wasn't long enough. So maybe they wanted to be "told" a longer story. LOL.
And of course, when self-publishing, the printing company will supply the specifications for a camera-ready manuscript which are readily executed on a word processor. If the writer doesn't choose this option, the printer will convert a manuscript into book format for a fee.
We do all agree that there is no substitute for the thrill experienced upon seeing the final result of an author's effort, which is a book in hand! Or can it be denied that there is no substitute for the validation of having an established publishing house deem your work worthy enough of being accepted. Finally, I do have to admit that I raise a skeptical eyebrow when a book published by a reputable house gets panned or receives luke warm reviews...
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Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 531
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 01:14 pm: |
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Cynique wrote:
To me, it's about crafting believable characters involved in unusual situations and letting the what happens unfold. Readers, who are the third factor in the equation, simply want something that captivates their interest, and a writer may be able to pull this off without adhereing to the technicalities of a plot that an editor looks for.
And there you have it ladies and gentlemen, the golden rule of publishing: Do what works.
Finally, I do have to admit that I raise a skeptical eyebrow when a book published by a reputable house gets panned or receives luke warm reviews...
In my mind, a book reviewer's taste is as subjective as an editor's or a reader's. One size does not fit all.
Y'know, I think we've all read books or watched movies that received rave reviews, but we didn't particularly care for those books/films, and vice versa.
So when I read a bad review, even several bad reviews of the same book, that doesn't stop me from wanting to read the book to see what I think of it. But I must admit, a good review does bump that book up on my list.
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