by Patricia Bradley, @PTBradley1
We’ve all been there. Our first manuscript is finished. Or first chapter. Or first scene. We know it’s a good story, but instinct says it’s not quite there yet. Even so, we send it off to a contest and don’t win.
But…we received feedback from the judge. Feedback that helped us to see not just what we’ve done wrong, but those little smiley faces tells us what we’ve done right. Maybe we nailed a thought or an emotion or described a quirky character, but whatever, the feedback encourages us. And when we apply that feedback, we make our manuscript better. We grow as writers until one day a publisher wants to buy our book or we put it up as an Indie and loads of readers buy it and give four-star reviews.
Or maybe we ask a published author to read our manuscript, and they agree to read at least the first chapter—that’s enough for the author to see the quality of the writing. And when our chapter comes back, it looks like it’s about to bleed to death, but the comments and writing advice clicks. The critiquing author points out where we’ve told the story when it needs to be shown or where we’ve slipped into another character’s head when we should stay in the point-of-view character’s head. And we slap our noggin and say, “Of course!”
Having it highlighted helps us to understand the craft of writing better. The advice makes sense. And we grow as writers. But what if there were no authors willing to serve as judges for the contests? Or what if no authors take the time to mentor another writer?
All authors should be mentoring at least one writer who is at a lower level. Why? Because I’d bet at least 99% of authors have been mentored by another writer. We should pay it forward! If someone helped you, turn around and help someone else. And judging contests and providing feedback is a great way to pay it forward.
Contest season is upon us and judges are needed. If it’s at all possible, volunteer to judge at least one entry. And when you’re adding comments, add some of the craft books that helped you. Pack someone else’s parachute.
Carly Smith came by her trust issues honestly. A victim of sex trafficking, she’s been at the mercy of merciless men, ignored by law enforcement officers who should have helped her, and seemingly rejected by her family. She can’t even trust herself to do the right thing. Though she escaped her captors and is working hard on building a new life, the past continues to haunt her when she discovers that the man she couldn’t bring herself to report to police for fear of reliving her captivity is still out there, luring vulnerable girls under the guise of being a modeling agent.
When her own niece is kidnapped, Carly must overcome her fears and come forward with the information she has before it’s too late. When that proves to be not enough, she’ll have to go after the perpetrators herself.
Winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in Suspense and a 2018 Carol finalist, Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi with her rescue kitty, Suzy. Her romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series and the Memphis Cold Case Novels. She also has written sweet romances for Harlequin Heartwarming available as e-books.
Comments 1
Great post, Patricia! You are such an encourager, and I’m so blessed to know you! The first author who told me, flat out, that I needed to cut the first chapter and half of the next one was Sandra Robbins, and she was right! Another author put a question in my head that has plagued me (and inspired me!) ever since, and I share it with other authors. The question? “What’s your character’s wound?”