Wow! The first day of summer is just around the corner. I've been looking over sub-options, since most of the university presses take the summer off.
I sent a sub to a contest with an entry fee of $50. Steep, huh? Well, I'm suppposed to get back two (2) professional critiques / editorials in exchange for my hard earned bucks. Oh, I'm going to let you know whether it was worth it.
In the meantime, I spoke to a writer friend who directed me to http://www.writeyes.com/. This website offers handwritten notes on my story copy and a type written critique on structure, character, and dialog. The price of $3 / page seems reasonable ($30 minimum). Of course, I'll let you know how that works out, too.
Now, back to the submission options. You know about the contests, lit journals, magazines, etc. But, the one option that isn't a real option is when to send. The answer: only when you can't improve your story further.
Submitting top quality work is Rule #1. You need this critique / editing feedback. It's way difficult to know where your writing is missing the mark unless a professional looks at your story.
So, try it. And we'll swap experiences.
Showing posts with label edit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label edit. Show all posts
Up and Edit
Self-editing and rewrites can be a writer's demise. Some of us are in such a hurry to get our stories down, we don't take much time to polish. Let me say this. No polish. No publish.
Like any other writer activity, edits and rewrites take discipline and practice. On my desk, I keep a copy of Harbrace College Handbook and Gramattically Correct by Anne Stilman. Spell checker isn't enough. Both books help me figure out what's wrong with my sentence structure or fragments. When I make a correction, I feel confident.
An edit is not the same as a critique. So, if you're a member of a writing group, these groups don't address editing much. More on writing groups later.
So, invest in a couple of grammar books or find a professional editor you can afford. Practice editing your work. The more you edit and rewrite the better you'll get.
Now, rise and shine. Up and edit. Any questions?
Like any other writer activity, edits and rewrites take discipline and practice. On my desk, I keep a copy of Harbrace College Handbook and Gramattically Correct by Anne Stilman. Spell checker isn't enough. Both books help me figure out what's wrong with my sentence structure or fragments. When I make a correction, I feel confident.
An edit is not the same as a critique. So, if you're a member of a writing group, these groups don't address editing much. More on writing groups later.
So, invest in a couple of grammar books or find a professional editor you can afford. Practice editing your work. The more you edit and rewrite the better you'll get.
Now, rise and shine. Up and edit. Any questions?
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