NOTE: ANY ADVICE GIVEN CANNOT BE TRUSTED; I AM UNPUBLISHED. REPEAT: UNPUBLISHED.
A recent study shows that 104% of blogs are about how to write or what to write and are written by people who want to write. This is another one. By the way there's no point clicking that link, the statistic is made up (according to Vic Reeves, 88.2% of all stats are) and it will just redirect you to my wedding entertainment website.
There's a lot of material from self-publishers online and much from those following the traditional route, but today I am speaking to another demographic: those who have 'just' written a book. That's to say, it's finished, saved and sitting on your hard drive. You've typed 'The End' so what next?
How many words should it be? How many drafts should you write? When addressing the latter question I had no idea; do you start with a blank page or just polish your first effort. Now I am 2/3 through editing my manuscript I know one thing: approximately three sentences have remained untouched.
I've queried a few agents and while I am in submission limbo, I thought I would compile the following facts I've learned about the process. I am not really in a position to pass on 'advice'; these tactics have yet to work for me. If you're in a similar position with your work, what have you got to lose?
Submissions:
1) Every agency has different guidelines. Take the time and stick to them; you are unlikely to be the exception they're willing to allow. If they want a three-page synopis; send it. They request a one-page? Cut it down. It's difficult, I know. How do you reduce a 96,000 word novel (my first draft of Spotted was this long) to one side of double spaced text? An author friend of mine said 'get the story across.' I did but it left little space for nuance; hopefully my sample chapters will prove I can write.
2) Twitter is an amazing tool. Follow as many agents/publishers as you can; they often Tweet great advice. DO NOT QUERY THEM ONLINE. You will get blocked. @caroleagent is a brilliant source of information and will help you learn what NOT to do. Her book also reveals many publishing secrets but how she finds time for Twitter in her incredible schedule, remains a mystery.
3) Agencies receive dozens of submissions every day. Obviously yours is the best (behind mine) but if they do say no, they mean it. Don't try to argue your corner.
Editing
4) When editing, watch out for the word 'that.' If you don't need it; yank it out. I've removed approximately nine-hundred instances (citation needed) from Spotted.
5) 'He decided to call her' & 'She started to walk away.' I've found this type of prose needlessly slowing things down. Try: 'He called her.' & 'She walked away.' It helped me up the pace no end.
6) On editing; you may wonder how you can reduce the word count. Top tip: it's easy! If you're anything like me you will find you've repeated yourself a lot. You've probably said the same thing over and over. Information already written will appear again. It's easy to do and simple to rectify. From current calculations, the second draft of Spotted will be 13% (that's 12,500 words) shorter than the first. Hopefully, it will still make sense.
7) Find a good editor to look at your first three chapters. Once you have polished them you will believe them to be perfect. They will not be. It's useful (and terrifying) to have someone look at your stuff. I worked with @JessicaDall and found her a great help.
And finally:
8) Don't start a blog post when you're about to go to the theatre (and need to pick your daughter up from Rainbows.)
These are just a few major things that I have discovered; if I have got anything drastically wrong then please point it out. Also if you have any other great tips (or are just in a similar position) you can contact me via Twitter (@mrjamesmccann)
You can also follow the backstory of Alex Gaines (the Spotted main character) by following @AlexAboard.
James.
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