Are you an aspiring fiction writer? Do you want to see your book published? Then, the first thing you need to learn is how to create a manuscript that is deemed publication worthy and will merit at least a serious consideration from an acquisition editor. There are a few things you need to be aware of while trying to create a publication worthy manuscript. There are some things you need to do and can do.
1. Pick a genre that suits you the best. Envision the audience you will write the book for
Before penning down your first draft, decide what kind of fiction you are most suited to write at that given point of time. Should you write a book of poems, a collection of stories or a novel? This decision should be based first on your natural inclination and interest. Factors like previous writing experience, special writing skills acquired at a writing class etc play a secondary role.
Let us assume you decide to write a novel. Understand that the main genre (novel) is further divided into sub-categories. This is true of all major genres. Your next job is to figure out whether you should write a novel for children or for adults. Assume you decide to write for adults. Now figure out whether you should write:
a) A crime thriller for readers who demand fast paced fiction.
b) A passionate love story targeted at teenagers.
c) A light-hearted romantic comedy or perhaps something else.
Should you write pulp fiction for readers who turn to literature as a source of entertainment and relaxation?
Or
Should you create literature on serious issues like untouchability or racial discrimination aimed at a more discerning, intellectually sophisticated reader who expects the story to engage him/her in an ideological debate, enrich him philosophically, or make him aware of a social issue?
Most writers choose the genre that suit them best instinctively. They just ‘know’ what kind of book they should write. Others need to engage in some deliberate ‘thinking’ before they decide the genre. Either way, choose a genre you have a real passion for. This is important for two reasons:
a) If you choose to write adult fiction when you are really best suited to write children’s stories, you might feel like a fish out of water. It might lead you to fumble along the way. Your words may not hit the right spot.
The result: the acquisition editor rejects the manuscript because your writing appears “loose and all over the place.”
b) If you don’t have a real love for the genre, after the first few weeks, writing becomes a chore. The final manuscript will reflect this. The result: the acquisition editor rejects the manuscript because now the “story seems dull and words seem forced.”
2. After picking the appropriate genre, learn the norms and conventions associated with it
Every genre has rules, characteristics and linguistic practices that are unique to it. No matter how talented you are, if you are serious about seeing yourself in print, learn about such norms and conventions. You don’t have to follow them rigidly; be as innovative as you like. You can even choose to creatively discard these rules and formulate new ones. But knowledge of them is essential nonetheless. A publishing house receives manuscripts from hundreds of aspiring writers every year. Half a dozen of these are offered a contract. Knowledge of literary rules might one day help your work stand out from those written by other “amateurs.” Your work might receive serious consideration because it seems like a polished piece professionally written by someone who has taken the time to master the conventions of his/her craft. So, join creative writing classes, attend writers’ workshops, enrol in writers’ groups and forums, read masterpieces written by established authors etc. Do everything you can to internalize the conventions of your chosen genre.
3. Research your target audience base
For whom are you writing this book? For children? For teenagers? For readers from the middle class? For elitist literary connoisseurs? Learn about your target audience demographic. Study their socio-economic concerns, lifestyle, spending habits, artistic tastes or lack of it. This is important for three reasons
a) Focused study of the customer helps a producer design a product that is effective. Effective products sell better. Understand that while writing a book, you as a writer (producer) are creating a product (book) which you/the publisher will later try to ‘sell’ to the reader (the final customer.)
b) While sending out a query letter/ book proposal once your manuscript is complete, you have to tell the publisher who your target audience base is and what makes your book appealing to them. This is an important criterion while accepting or rejecting manuscripts. Conducting audience research early in the writing process will help you formulate this section of your query letter/ book proposal with ease later on.
c) If/ when the book gets published, your knowledge about its audience base might help the publisher design effective marketing strategies.
4. Write, write and then write some more!
There is a story waiting to burst out from within you. Pick up a pen or hit the computer keyboard! Start creating the first draft of your manuscript! Your inborn talent, the various classes and workshops you attended, the literary masterpieces you read, and the time you spent mastering literary norms and conventions will now guide your hand as it weaves a plot.
Phew! After months of hard work the first draft is ready. You are eager to see your book published and cannot wait to mail it to a publisher? Do not do it. Hundreds of manuscripts are rejected every year because many writers make this mistake. Understand that a first draft is just a ‘first draft.’ It is not the final finished manuscript. To the experienced eye of the acquisition editor the first draft will seem shoddy and hastily written; it will have a raw, unpolished feel.
Therefore, after finishing the first draft, take a break. Step away from your draft for weeks or a month. Then come back and read it from a fresh perspective. Many sections will seem mediocre and tedious, some parts will appear ridiculous. You know you can do a better job. Rewrite such parts. Some descriptions and dialogues will seem unnecessary; mercilessly delete them. Redraft and edit until you are sure you have done the best job possible.
5. If you can afford it, hire a proof reader and a copyeditor
Proofreaders and copyeditors help spot subtle inconsistencies and loopholes in the draft that you overlook because you are too emotionally connected with the story. They add a touch of professional sophistication to your writing and aid to transform the draft into a finished, tight, cohesive manuscript.
Your manuscript is ready. Congratulations! A professional looking manuscript increases your chance of receiving an acceptance letter and brings you one step closer to finding a publisher.
It’s time now to begin approaching publishers.
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Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in August, 2010. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.
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—About our writer:
Sandhya has a Master’s degree in English from the Goa University. She loves reading and writing fiction. Many of her stories were published in a local newspaper The Navhind Times with its head-office at Panaji. She has a passion for writing thought-provoking articles on general interest topics like modern social trends, relationships, parenting, self-help and do-it-yourself pieces, women’s issues, spirituality etc. Sandhya has also worked as a Writing Advisor at a local college for two years, where her job included proofreading, copyediting and sometimes ghostwriting speeches and keynote addresses to be delivered by the college staff at state-level, national and international conferences; academic writing like subject articles, dissertations, PhD Thesis, books etc; newsletters and brochures produced by the various departments, and the annual college magazine.
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