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
The urge to write fiction seems God given for some,... Read More
Today it begins.I have always known I was a freelancer.... Read More
What possibly could I have to write about? I never... Read More
If you find your sentences filled with commas, and they... Read More
Peter Abrahams is the author of thirteen novels, including "The... Read More
For several years before I left teaching to write full... Read More
Whether you're interviewing for a new job, trying to woo... Read More
As many authors are fond of stating, "Ideas are all... Read More
He ran up the steps and knocked on the door.... Read More
I???ve spoken to hundreds of editors, employers, and project managers... Read More
I started writing as a way of keeping safe memories... Read More
If you want to be a writer, then you must... Read More
Having trouble finding a solution to a nagging problem? Try... Read More
My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More
Writing papers and book reports has long been the bane... Read More
For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More
BAITED, BATEDBaited usually refers to traps or snares. When the... Read More
Everyone has a book inside them, or so the saying... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Our plotting stage is our testing area.Everything... Read More
If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?What a plot is and what a... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?By now you should have an idea... Read More
When the writing bug hits you, get out your pencil,... Read More
It occurred to me one day that I needed something... Read More
If you are reading this article then you probably have... Read More
limo O'Hare Glen Ellyn ..I'm a writing fool! 2 book proposals, 1 user's guide,... Read More
Joanne Kathleen Rowling was born in Chipping Sodbury,England in 1965.... Read More
If you think proofreading equals editing, then you're wrong! Editing... Read More
ESSAYS ON AUTOBIOGRAPHY: NUMBER 1Preamble:Nearly seven years ago I wrote... Read More
Listen, consider this scenario.You have a deadline to honour. Time... Read More
Summer's here and the time is write for dancing in... Read More
Rejection. This scary word plagues virtually every writer this side... Read More
Business etiquette is fundamentally concerned with building relationships founded upon... Read More
A writer can never be self indulgent whether writing fiction,... Read More
One day in the mid-1970's a young man stumbled into... Read More
At some point along the way, most of us have... Read More
* Scanning and Skimming Practices *Whether you're writing e-mail messages... Read More
How to avoid mistakes that undermine your credibilityYou're probably already... Read More
Story Structure Templates are the fastest way to write screenplays.... Read More
As in all endeavors, toil is necessary to succeed and... Read More
What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way... Read More
If you're a writer, you're in business. It doesn't matter... Read More
What does one do as a writer who loves writing... Read More
Becoming an author is probably a lot easier than you... Read More
Interesting characters that readers care about are the most important... Read More
Op-ed articles, also known as opinion/editorial articles, are a great... Read More
Dream that your book can be a number one best... Read More
How many of you take the time to really write... Read More
When you get stuck for ideas, and the words won't... Read More
The following answer sounds simplistic?but think about it. The single... Read More
Writing |