Now that you’ve written an amazing manuscript, you can’t wait to send it out into the big wide world of publishing. Don’t do it! Well, not yet anyway. If you want to see your book in print, always have that as your goal. But, you’ll also need to do a lot more work on it. So let’s talk about what you need to do to get your book agent/publisher ready.

First, once you’ve finished your manuscript, let it sit. Most editors and agents will tell you to not look at it for at least a couple of weeks, a month is better. Work on another project. Then when you go back and look at it again, you’ll be able to see things that you can improve on.

Now that you’ve let it stew for a bit, read through the entire manuscript from beginning to end. Resist the urge to edit. Make notes in the margins, or if you use Microsoft Word, use the “New Comment” tool under under “Review.” Now that you’ve read it through, go back and start your revisions. Do this at least two or three times. With Soulfire I must have edited and revised that book multiple times over a span of about seven years. However with my most current manuscript, it only took me a month to revise it, (after letting it sit for several weeks). It just depends on the individual book. My seven-year book was highly research involved.

When you are happy with your manuscript ask for a couple of readers. No, you may not ask your mom or best friend.  If you need your ego stroked, then have them read it. They are bound to tell you it’s perfect. But if you want to be published, get a real beta-reader. They will give you your most valuable helps. What’s a beta-reader? It’s someone who is a writer or someone who is an avid reader. Just make sure you give your book to someone who will give you great feedback.

I like to send out my manuscript at least three different times and to at least three different readers each time–for a total of nine readers. I always have a goal in mind when I send my manuscript out to my beta readers. The first time, I ask readers to look for inconsistencies, anything that reads poorly, anything that feels out of place or wrong. I ask them to give their honest reaction to the book. After I get the manuscript, I take a serious look at what they have to say and make more revisions. I send it out again with the same instructions to my second set. My third time out I ask specific questions. For instance, in my current WIP I needed to make sure that I had all my football terminology correct, so I gave it to a football player.

Now, I’m incredibly lucky to have a final beta-reader, whose opinion I’ve really come to rely on. She’s my last set of eyes before I send it to a publisher/agent. Her specific goal is to look for misspellings, grammar, commas–basically line edits. I just got back notes on my WIP this week, and I plan on spending a couple of days going over her notes, and then it’s off to the publisher, who, by the way, has asked for a full manuscript based on my pitch session with him. Wish me luck…and happy revising!

Are you ready to send your darling out?

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend ANWA (American Night Writers Association) Writing Conference. The classes were great–I learned something new from each, but what made this particular conference so amazing is that I attended a very special class called “The Importance of Eggs Benedict to your Career as an Author” given by James Owen, the author of Here There be Dragons series. Now I’ve heard James speak before and he’s wonderful. Little did I know that the words he would give to me would be exactly what I needed to hear just before my pitch session with Chris Schoelinger of Shadow Mountain.

You may ask, “What does Eggs Benedict  have to do with pitching?” You’d be surprised. James told of his passion for Eggs Benedict and always asks about them whenever he travels. The best answer he ever got was from someone who proclaimed his Eggs Benedict were the best ever made.

So how does this relate to writing. The secret to success in your career as a writer is to believe in your product. Sell your work, sell yourself as an author. This is something I know, something I believe. But the question is, have I lived it? No. Sadly I have not.

Which brings me to the second most profound thing James said that day–and I heard it three times. “Never, ever sacrifice what you want the most for something you want right now.” I got to thinking about the things I have sacrificed because of fear, because of what I thought were needs. This really didn’t even sink in until I came home and told my dear husband about the conference and what James said. I want to write for the national market. That’s one of the things I’ve always wanted. All last night I kept thinking how I’d love to go to a really big writing conference in May. But I justified that I shouldn’t go because it would cost so much money, that I wouldn’t get to spend Mother’s Day at home–You get the picture. I voiced those things to my husband and he said, “Are you sacrificing what you want most?” I was. I love that man! He said, “We’ll just stop buying ice cream and tighten our belts so that you can go.” Happy Mother’s Day!!!!

What do you want most? How are you going to make that your priority?

You can find out more about James Artemis Owen.

It was an interesting year to say the least. Lots of changes, some great, some not so great, and others down right stinky! But as my brilliant friend Peter Hill says, “If you are depressed, you’re living in the past, if you’re anxious, you’re living in the future. If you’re happy, you’re living in the present.” Some days I feel a little of each. I have to remind myself that it’s okay to feel those emotions–past, future, and present. What’s not healthy is dwelling in the past and worrying to much about the future. The key to a rich and full life is to find joy now. To look around and see things in your life to be grateful for. Even though last year was really difficult and challenging and I do not want to go back and dwell on them, I do look at all of the positive things to come out of 2012. I had my second book published, I landed a job, and I finished writing and revising another book. All of this carries with me into 2013. The bad stuff I’m leaving behind in the past where it belongs!

As for the future, I really can’t control much of that. I can plan for it, anticipate it and look forward to it. But I refuse to let it rob me of my happiness.
What that means is I’ve set some goals. I even posted them on facebook. BUT…already here it is the second week of the year and already I’m having to revamp my goals. Does that make me a bit anxious? I’d be lying if I said it didn’t. But the opportunities for growth are incredible. I still plan to write! My goal and it continues to be my desire to write 100 words per day. I know that’s not a lot, but once I get started I often find it difficult to stop at 100 words. So far this year, I’ve written over 11,000 words.

However this week is not faring as well. I’ve been “robbed” of my writing time. I say that totally tongue in cheek. Sometimes more loftier things happen, things that God needs you to do right now. And that’s totally okay! Tomorrow is a new day to begin again and to sit down and write. It’s only 100 words after all.

So what goals have you set? Have you already had to revamp?
Just remember it’s really okay to revise at any point in your life. Remember, the future is wide open before you. Don’t be anxious about it, just keep plowing forward a little each day!