Something I see all too commonly in the fiction manuscripts I edit is an “info dump,” a chunk of exposition that bogs down the narrative by unloading a detailed character backstory or an elaborate—and lengthy—explanation of the story’s high concept and/or the history of the fictional universe. This sort of information may well be important […]
by Marie Valentine, Book Editor and Proofreader Fiction is a narrative told in prose form about events not true to life. Many books include disclaimers that the work is made up solely by the author’s imagination, and any similarities the tale bears to real events are coincidences. Forms of fiction range in style, length, and […]
Plot Movement/Resolution Because you do so much non-signaled “jumping around” from head to head, because your dialogue mechanics don’t function well, because you don’t have a well-enough-focused main character, because you over-describe settings and places, because of the arcane technical nature of many passages, because, again, one scientist’s findings alone wouldn’t be enough to compel […]
As I’ve observed the actions of antagonists in movies, novels and the real world, I’ve noticed a progressive pattern of tactics they use against anyone who dares to thwart their plans. I call it the “Ten I’s of Antagonism.” Why ten? Because it’s a nice, round number. Why “I’s”? Because nothing beats a good heuristic. […]
Manuscript Analysis Action You handle action scenes quite well in many sections of the book; this is one of your writing’s strengths, I think. You get people smoothly from place to place, in and out of events and through tussles pretty effectively most of the time. One problem you have, though, involves over-description of places […]
In a publishable story for children, one of the fundamental things editors and agents are looking for is strong narrative structure and satisfying character development. Your readers, too—although they might not be aware of it—are looking for an engaging story, with a beginning, middle, and a satisfying end.
Manuscript Analysis Dialogue Your "talk" generally sounds good inside quotes. However, how you get readers to what's within in the quotes is a whole 'nuther matter. You have much to learn about the dynamics and mechanics of dialogue in extended narrative context, and...
Manuscript Analysis Point(s) of View (POV) Point of view in a novel involves whose eyes your story is seen through. In your novel's case, you try seeing events through many different characters' eyes, and your instincts about which character's eyes you want us to see...
Manuscript Analysis Characters You are able in some instances to give characters, major and minor, grit, distinct personality traits, voices and thought patterns. But sometimes you over-describe your characters physically, yet, as I wrote above, have them (Mr. X, for...
The [Working Title] by [Author] Introduction/Overall Assessment [Author], I'm going to handle this evaluation in a way that's kind of "bass-ackward" from my usual approach. I think it'll be best to hit you straight off with what it'd probably take to turn what you've...
When it comes to figuring out the overall shape of my story, I find it quite helpful to ask the following two questions: 1. What is the worst possible thing that could happen to my protagonist? 2. How does it turn into the best possible thing? I like the first question, because it helps me […]
Writing Crime Scenes I used to wonder what makes talented writers lose their grip the moment they try to portray physical aggression. They’ve been moving the story along beautifully, with convincing characters in gripping, realistic situations. Then suddenly, at the first hint of violence, something comes over them, and reality goes right out the window. […]