July 8, 2008

By Vonda Skelton

Posted in: Writing Instruction | Kudos | Writer's Conferences

Giving Birth to Your Book, Part I: Clean It Up!

July 8, 2008

You've worked for months or years and finally, it's done. You've accomplished your dream and finally created "new life." But new life is just the beginning. Yes, your baby-your book-is created, but how do you start the delivery process and get your baby out into the world?

  1. Save a copy. And I'm not just talking about saving it on your personal hard drive-that's a given every time you write. But in addition to your hard drive, every time you make a change to the manuscript file, you should either save a copy on CD, send an electronic copy to a friend's email address, or send it to another account such as Gmail. At Gmail, you can store 6900 MB. Now, that's a lot of files! I can't tell you how many friends have been working on manuscripts and lost them because their computer crashed or they hit a wrong button. (I've come really close a few times myself!) And even though those files can often be salvaged, you may experience a lot of stress-and sometimes a lot of expense-to retrieve them.
  2. Put it away. Yep. Close the file and put it away for a while. Work on another writing project, take a vacation, or set aside a week to visit friends who've given up on ever seeing you again. Or, like me, you can begin to attack the stacks of unopened mail, half-eaten meals, and very important papers that have accumulated on your desk while you've been in the throes of writing. Just do whatever you need to do to get your mind off the manuscript.
  3. Begin the rewriting process. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know you've probably been rewriting as you wrote, but believe me, that is not the same as final rewriting. After you've been away from the book for a while, start it again with fresh eyes. Everyone will eventually find a way that works best for them, but at this point, I read through the book from beginning to end, looking for plot problems, timeline issues, and slow sections.
  4. Dig in for a deeper rewrite. At this point, I read the entire book aloud, looking for areas that just don't work. I check for cadence, realistic dialog, and the right balance between description and action. This would also include searching for telling where I should be showing, eliminating weak verbs and sloppy use of adverbs, and making sure there are no extraneous uses of the word, "that." Make every word count. Make it earn its keep. It either does the job and does it well, or it needs to be outta there! Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Done right, this rewrite could take months (sometimes lots of months).
  5. Get feedback from other writers. Sure, you can let your mom and your kids and your best friends read the book, but you really need a group of serious critiquers who are familiar with writing for publication. You need people who will be honest and tell you when they're bored with your words, when the plot feels contrived, or when the dialog doesn't ring true. Ask them to analyze your opening paragraphs for hooks, setting, and time placement. Ideally, you're also doing this as you go through the initial writing process, but this time it needs to be read with the proverbial fine-toothed comb. If possible, get critiques from writers who write in the same genre as your book.
  6. Do another rewrite. Based on the responses from your serious critiquers, you probably will need to do another formal rewrite.
  7. Get feedback from readers. Once you're sure you have it as good as you can make it, then get readers from your target audience to read your book. If you write for children, get readers in the age range you write for. If your target audience is young mothers, locate some young women who will commit to read and honestly give you feedback. Stress to them that they are not helping you if they simply tell you how great your book is. In addition to looking for typos and general mistakes, ask them if the story kept their interest, if they felt a connection to your characters, and if they felt the dialog was on target. If you write non-fiction, you need to know if your explanations were clear, if you drew in the reader, if your words motivated them to change or taught them something new. You wouldn't believe some of the feedback I've gotten from my readers. I especially look forward to hearing from a few of these hardnosed readers-even though I know they'll send pages of comments. But that's what I want and need! I'd much rather these readers catch the problems now than for an acquisition editor catch the problems later-and promptly reject my book!
  8. Rewrite, yet again. And yes, it's probably time for another rewrite. Depending on the readers' responses, this could simply be an editing process or it could be another complete rewrite. But either way, you need to address the issues that arise through this feedback. I can't tell you how many times I've been saved from serious problems by having readers in addition to my critiquers. If your writing group reads your stuff frequently, it's sometimes hard for them to catch things that have been revisited several times. Your readers will see it with fresh eyes, often discovering new areas that need to be addressed.
  9. Put it away again. If possible, allow time for the book to settle again for a few days.
  10. Read it aloud again. After a few days, read it aloud again, critically looking and listening for any areas that may still need work.

So there you have it-the first steps to getting your book delivered and out into the world. It won't be easy, but it'll sure be worth it. Remember, you have one shot to make your baby pretty. You don't want to miss your opportunity because you were tired of cleaning her up. ;-)

Be sure to come back next week for Giving Birth to Your Book, Part II-All Cleaned Up, Now Where Do We Go?

I'll be leaving for ICRS on Thursday, July 10 and won't be back until July 17, but will still be posting a new entry next Tuesday, as usual. I'll be able to approve and post your comments, but probably won't be able to respond to comments myself. But please feel free to post any questions or comments and we'll address them when I get back.

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Kudos!

Thanks to these readers who are willing to share their successes and allow us the joy of celebrating with them!

  1. Barbara Parentini 's (NC) devotion, The Love of a Husband, God's Gift , was featured for Father's Day at Truth Media's Devotional for Men. It was also recorded as a podcast! I hope you'll take the time to visit these sites and leave a comment. Barbara's also been notified that one of her devotions will be included in the upcoming HUGS Bible Reflections for Women, to be released by Howard Books (division of Simon and Schuster) in July 2009-an opportunity announced right here on The Christian Writer's Den. Way to go, Barbara!
  2. Donna Sherer's (SC) essay has been announced as a finalist in the First Foundations writing contest, The Bible: Faith's First Foundation. This is another opportunity I posted on the blog. Congratulations, Donna!
  3. Renae Brumbaugh (TX) has been busy! She's been contracted to write and compile a perpetual calendar for Barbour called 365 Simple Tips for Busy Moms. She's also contributing to a Barbour devotional book called 365 Whispers of Wisdom for Step-Moms. On top of that, she's now a newspaper columnist with a new faith newspaper called Real Talk. AND she's had several articles accepted by Vista -another opportunity announced here on the blog! In her email, Renae says she gives God all the glory for what He has done. We do, too, but we still say, Kudos, Renae!
  4. Tom Slovenski (SC) has had another reprint of an article-this time in Pursuit Magazine for Investigators. This is an article he wrote once, but has had reprinted several times. Lots of mileage from one piece-and this time the editor contacted him, asking for it! Way to go, Tom!
  5. Jeanne Styles' (AL) third book in her embroidery software series is now on the market! In addition, she was invited to teach at the annual Pfaff sewing convention in August. Keep up the good work, Jeanne!
  6. Linda Greer's (SC) effort to promote a new support group for fibromyalgia was featured at GoUpstate.com. Congratulations, Linda!

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Speaker-Phone Visits are So Much Fun!

sttlcover100px I'm hearing from women around the country that my new women's book, Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe, makes a great small group study book. Here are some comments from women using the book in their groups:

"Truly a blessing!"

"We truly appreciated your insight from Scripture and witness from personal experience. It helped put a lot of things in perspective."

"I wanted to let you know that it was a great study. The ladies really connected with your writing and it opened many great discussions."

I hope you'll consider recommending Seeing Through the Lies for your ladies' group study. If you do, I'd love to make a speaker-phone visit during one of your sessions. It's so much fun! As one precious lady said, "It seemed just like you were sitting among us!"

So email me and let's set it up. I'd love to "sit together" and chat about our Lord with you and your ladies!

And if you haven't read my book, I hope you'll get it and then suggest it to your group. Word of mouth is the best advertising there is. And as a little bitty fish in a great big pond, I need all the help I can get! Thank you for your encouragement and support!

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Cheryl T, Please Contact Me!

Cheryl T, I've been trying to reach you ever since you wrote me after returning from Blue Ridge, but all my emails are returned. ;-( Would you please email me again? I want to talk to you!

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And I hope you'll meditate on these words this week as you write and speak the words He gives you:

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. I Peter 4:11

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts.

Vonda

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8 Comments

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#1 Renae — http://www.renaebrumbaugh.com

You are so right. Writing a book really is like giving birth! And just as we do all we can to give birth to a healthy baby, we should do all we can to produce the best book possible. It's a lot of work, but worth every minute, in order to hold something we are proud of.

Thanks, Vonda!

#2 Vonda Skelton

Hi Renae! Hey, I wonder what the guys out there think of our birthing analogy! Oh, if they only knew!!

Love ya!

Vonda 

#3 Elysabeth — http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com

This is not the first time I've seen this analogy used, but obviously it is worth repeating since truly women experience this process in a much deeper way than men do. They wouldn't know how to truly birth a baby but if they've been through their spouse's pregnancy, they can get a glimpse of what it's like to have a baby.

Good job and good reminders to us all about how to make our books the best they can be. Looking forward to seeing you again at SinC.

(just an aside - I was told by publisher books would be shipped today so I should have books by the end of the week or first part of next week - If you will be at SinC meeting, I'll see you there; if not it can wait until Aiken) - see you in the postings - E :)

#4 Vonda Skelton

Hi Elysabeth! It's so good to see you here. ;-)

Congratulations on your first "baby!" More than likely, I won't see you until the Aiken Children's Book Festival. But I'll look foward to getting my book then!

Blessings,

Vonda 

#5 Jenny Cote — http://www.jennycote.com

Hey Vonda!

I just love your words of wisdom! Great, great insights for birthin' babies. I think one of the hardest things is finally letting go of that baby so it can grow up and become what you meant for it to be as you were writing and rewriting it. Just like it was bittersweet having a real baby, knowing you would never be as close in one regard, after you give birth you have the privilege of watching that baby grow up and thrive! You're right - our guy readers may not appreciate this as much! But I do, so thanks. Can't wait to see you in Orlando, and I think I'll be coming to Aiken as well so I look forward to meeting your other friends there too. Happy Deliveries! Jenny

#6 Vonda Skelton

Welcome, Jenny! Thanks for joining us! Yes, you've been through some of those birthing pains yourself, haven't you? ;-)

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday in Orlando at ICRS!

Vonda 

#7 Cindy

Vonda,
If the editor is asking for my(nonfiction)with my proposal to be sent next week, and I have edited it only twice after I have finished it, with one friend having read it and given her comments, should I postpone or deliver? The request came by suprise and I am not sure if it is ready.

#8 Vonda Skelton

Hi Cindy. Great question!

If I've not learned anything in these eight years or so of serious writing, I've learned that we have one chance to make a good impression. Well, actually, I guess I've learned two things. The second is that it's extremely rare for an editor to be actually sitting there at his desk, fretting over the fact that someone hasn't sent their proposal yet--even if he asked for it (unless it's a committed deadline for a committee or something). Most of the time, editors are so busy, they don't even remember that they asked for it until we remind them by sending it in or communicating about it. 

Before I realized that, I imagined the editor sitting there, counting down the clock until my proposal or manuscript arrived on his desk. ;-)

If he specifically gave you a deadline, then I'd email him, tell him that you had hoped to have it ready by now, but that you still are not quite satisfied with the rewrites and could you have an extension. Unless he had something very specific in mind for this proposal, he'll say yes. After all, he doesn't have time to deal with a manuscript that isn't as good as it can be.

And remember my story of what the editor from Writer's Digest Books said at a conference where we were both teaching. "I'm not looking for a reason to accept your submission. I'm looking for a reason to reject it." A manuscript that is close but not quite there yet gives the editor all the reason she needs to throw it in the "Thanks, but no thanks" pile.  

Oh, and I think I've learned a few other things along the way, too. I hope all of you will hang around for them! ;-)

Blessings, my friend.

Vonda 

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