Fiction manuscripts receive feedback that addresses and scores:
? The theme of the book
? Character development and depth
? Plot and story line resolution
? Pace and setting of the story
? The effective use of dialog
? The appropriateness of the tense and point of view
? How compelling the book will be in the marketplace
? Spelling, grammar, punctuation and much more!
The theme or premise of a novel is important because it sets the stage for the characters, the setting, the plot, the conflict, and the climax. Is it a story of love, jealousy, ambition, adventure, of triumph or failure? These themes, as well as many others must be considered and decided upon by the fiction writer.
Coming from the design of the tale are the characters and their development. Protagonists and antagonists live because they produce the conflict that gives tension and stress, for without these elements no story exists. Important is a fully rounded character with vices as well as virtues. Protagonists must have qualities that we relate to, but antagonists must also have traits that are decent yet not exceeding their failings.
The conflict between the hero and villain product the storyline or plot-the events that bring to two into discord. This dissension can be physical, mental, social, desire, goal, aspiration, or any feature that they view differently. Some stories are plot driven while others are character driven although all stories have some of each.
Setting is determined by the characters, which may be past, present, or future. Historical novels are situated in the past of a specific locale; contemporary novels deal with the present in time and location; futuristic novels-science fiction and fantasy-deal with the future or locales out of this world.
Now we come to dialogue that must suit the character as well as the setting if it is to be realistic and relate to tie and place. If of the past, it must copy the style, the syntax, and the idiom of the time. Dialogue must always further the story, develop the character, or suit the locale; never can it be to fill in space.
The write must also choose carefully the tense and point of view. Some stories are better told from the present tense while others from the past tense. Using the pluperfect past tense sacrifices immediacy and slows down the rhythm of the language. Another important consideration is the point of view: Sometimes the first person singular is the most appropriate while at other times the third person omniscient is proper. Chose prudently because it can make or break the story.
Another consideration, although a lesser one, is how compelling the piece will be in the marketplace. Since publishers are always concerned about the bottom line, they look to see how the buyers who are the readers will receive it. Perhaps from a publishing point of view, this is the most important criterion for the acceptance or rejection of a manuscript.
To make a manuscript acceptable it must follow the rules of good grammar, be free of spelling and typo errors, written in the language that is acceptable to the target audience. The fiction writer had much to consider with every work undertaken, yet believe in the importance and worth of his or her endeavors.
Charles O. Goulet has a BA in history and a BEd in English literature. He has several historical novels published and that my be obtained at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes and Noble, and many other bookstores.
Charles O. Goulet
RR 1
Evansburg, AB
T0E 0T0
go1c@telusplanet.net
So you want to be a successful author? You want... Read More
No one is born a novel writer. But do you... Read More
Hands up all those who'd like to have a successful... Read More
There's a little known secret we writers like to keep... Read More
1 - Join a reading or writing group. Ask members... Read More
The journey to having my first novel for children published... Read More
If you have been online for any length of time... Read More
Communication is effective when we follow certain rules. These rules... Read More
As a previous article ("Making Better Word Choices ? 4... Read More
Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren't... Read More
Most people can easily identify with the dreaded "writer's block".... Read More
If your writing muscle isn't in shape, writing a novel... Read More
1) Convince yourself you want to do something else. If... Read More
You wrote a tips booklet. Maybe more than one. Oh... Read More
Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A... Read More
Paulo Coelho was born on August 24th 1947 in Rio... Read More
Sometimes I can be dense when it comes to realizing... Read More
The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More
So you've got your plot outlined, a title lined up... Read More
1. Remember publication is a business; writing is an art.... Read More
How long should your chapters be?I can't resist... I have... Read More
In order to be successful with a newsletter, specialize in... Read More
Recently, I was hunting for a book that would simply... Read More
So, you want to freelance as an editor, writer, copy... Read More
This is a tough question for every freelance writer. For... Read More
bmw rental chicago Ackley ..If you dread the thought of writing, if you fear... Read More
The Big IdeaOkay. So youve figured out that you would... Read More
SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?Many people have entertained... Read More
Peter Abrahams is the author of thirteen novels, including "The... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Writing is a creative process and how... Read More
I went to school to be a teacher. In fact,... Read More
Do you suffer from writer's block? Is there a pending... Read More
Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More
There are so many ways for writers to make good... Read More
Freelance writer STANLEY BURKHARDT has a passion for animals. He... Read More
The first five pages of a novel are critical.Editors make... Read More
Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals... Read More
Before you even begin writing your novel, you need to... Read More
"If you want to change your life," Harry Beckwith wrote... Read More
[When I was a nineteen-year-old high school student and budding... Read More
~TYPES~You Want Us to Write What? Understanding the Task AssignedWhich... Read More
At first, I noticed that I could have written many... Read More
Remember back in the dark days of your school years... Read More
Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded... Read More
In most aspects of business, we will be expected to... Read More
Each author has special editing needs. To save yourself time... Read More
If you have an online home based business you know... Read More
Working on my first humorous novel, I started with a... Read More
With the expansion and diversion of businesses, manufacturers, and even... Read More
Plotting a book can seem an overwhelming task when you're... Read More
Writing |