Writing Tip: Avoid the $50 Zit

After weeks of squirming in my desk chair to stay away from the small painful spot on my back, I decided it was time to get a different view. Even with a mirror I could not clearly see or reach the offending spot. My husband pronounced it “potentially dangerous, maybe a mole, maybe skin cancer, see a doctor.” So I made an appointment.

My dermatologist took one look and barely contained a smile. He explained that it was a huge blackhead, not cancerous and could be dealt with in a minute. However, in this Managed Care world, he could not pop the zit without sending endless forms to my insurance carrier and awaiting approval.  I was so grateful that I did not complain about spending $50 to identify a zit.

What does this have to do with writing? More than meets the eye, stay with me.  The point is that writers are not intended to be self-editors. We do not see our mistakes. We assume things are different than what they are (the zit).  When the paper rolls out of the printer, we tend to anoint it as awesome or awful (the self-diagnosis).  From that point the “awesome” manuscript gets no further work because it’s already assumed to be prefect while the “awful” manuscript may get shredded when a few tweaks could make it viable (treatment disproportionate to the  problem).

Writers need a “specialist” to read and make constructive critique of their works which can be accomplished in several ways:

1.  Join a writing group with experienced, published writers in your genre who will offer critiques

2.  Pay for a short critique session at a Writer’s Conference.

3.  Hire a professional editor to review, comment and critique the work.

4.  Hire an English teacher with a passion for your genre to read and review (less expensive than professional editor )

5.  Ask a colleague (not a close friend or family member) who is a capable writer and avid reader to review your work.

Do at least two of these before sending the work to a contest or potential publisher.  Never send a manuscript to any publisher until you have done everything possible to make it ready for prime time.  As my Daddy said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”  If you aren’t willing to invest time and attention into your work, why would a publisher want to invest in you.